Trip from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

122.7 mi

197 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 21m ★

6 AM

2h 31m

8 AM

2h 51m

10 AM

2h 38m

12 PM

2h 36m

3 PM

2h 39m

5 PM

2h 50m

8 PM

2h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ covers 122.7 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound, Tuckahoe Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.34 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

61.3 miles from Union, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 122.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 122.7 miles, with most of the trip on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. The longest continuous stretch is about 108.9 miles on Garden State Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Garden State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 108.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and Garden State Parkway Southbound. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6

1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward GSP Toll South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward GSP Toll South

5

1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

6

16.8 mi into trip | ~24m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

7

116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward US 9 South: Ocean City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward US 9 South: Ocean City

5

116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | US 9; CR 623 / Roosevelt Boulevard

Turn right onto US 9; CR 623 / Roosevelt Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Garden State Parkway	108.9 mi	2h 8m
Garden State Parkway Southbound	6.2 mi	8m
Tuckahoe Road	4.9 mi	7m
Stuyvesant Avenue	0.6 mi	1m
Roosevelt Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m
NJ 50	0.3 mi	<1m
Vauxhall Road	0.2 mi	<1m
Old Tuckahoe Road	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Garden State Parkway — 108.9 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Middletown, NJ.

1

Start on Harding Avenue

243 ft · 11 sec · Harding Avenue

2

Turn right onto CR 630

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Vauxhall Road

3

Turn left onto CR 619

0.6 mi · 1 min · Stuyvesant Avenue

4

Continue on CR 619

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Chestnut Street

5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward GSP Toll South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

Merge onto GSP

8.6 mi · 11 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the straight / right lanes.

7

Continue on Garden State Parkway

6.2 mi · 8 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

8

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway

9

Keep slight right at fork onto GSP

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Garden State Parkway

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 25 Toward US 9 South: Ocean City Use the slight right lane.

11

Continue on US 9

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Vernon Road

12

Turn right onto US 9; CR 623

0.5 mi · 1 min · Roosevelt Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

13

Continue on CR 662

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Old Tuckahoe Road

14

Continue on CR 631

4.9 mi · 7 min · Tuckahoe Road

15

At end of road, turn right onto NJ 50

0.3 mi · 31 sec · NJ 50

16

Turn right onto Washington Avenue

55 ft · 2 sec · Washington Avenue

17

Arrive at destination

Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 61.3 miles from Union, NJ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 27 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.3 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middletown, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Union, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Union, NJ

This is one driving day of about 122.7 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Union, NJ.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 108.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.3 mi from Union, NJ · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

61 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Garden State Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.9 miles.

Arriving in Middletown, NJ

The final approach into Middletown, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Middletown, NJ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Union, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+19083966401

Visit website

Cafe Bru

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Northfield, New Jersey

1.5 mi

Gregory's Restaurant & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Somers Point, New Jersey

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Swell Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ocean City, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.9

Hours: Closed

+16098142980

Visit website

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Union, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+19083966401

Visit website

Cafe Bru

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.1

Northfield, New Jersey

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16092410147

Visit website

Gregory's Restaurant & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 113.9

Somers Point, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–11 pm

+16099276665

Visit website

Buona Vita Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $30 to $50 mile 113.9

Somers Point, New Jersey

Hours: 4–10 pm

+16097880370

Visit website

Restaurant Lorena's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10

Maplewood, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19737634460

Visit website

Carangi's Cafe & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.1

Northfield, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+16093804937

Visit website

Italian Street Restaurant & Pizza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.9

Somers Point, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16099265526

Visit website

Yianni's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm

+16093911113

Visit website

Swell Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16098142980

Visit website

agnello's cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.9

Manahawkin, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16095495775

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 113.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

+16093991000

Visit website

American star inn and suites hotel galloway

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 105.1

Galloway, NJ

Cornucopia Cruise Lines

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 17.5

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

+17326979500

Visit website

Playland's Castaway Cove

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 113.9

Ocean City, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16093994751

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 17.5

Staten Island, New York

+17182278300

Visit website

Echo Lake Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Mountainside, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour $10

Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed

View on nps.gov

Morristown National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 29.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.34 one way

$40.68 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$22.28	$44.56
premium	$4.93	$23.80	$47.59
diesel	$5.61	$27.09	$54.18

Estimated Tolls: $6.91

Garden State Parkway (115.1 mi) $6.91

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.8	$12.88	$5.89
Efficient EV	30.7	$10.74	$4.91
EV Truck/SUV	49.1	$17.18	$7.85

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Union, NJ

Late night in Union on Saturday

Local time

2:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Middletown, NJ

Late night in Middletown on Saturday

Local time

2:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 30m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ covers 122.7 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Garden State Parkway, Garden State Parkway Southbound, Tuckahoe Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 61.3 miles from Union, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Union, NJ or browse trips ending in Middletown, NJ.

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Trip from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Middletown, NJ

Nearby Places

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

Swell Cafe

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge

Cafe Bru

Gregory's Restaurant & Bar

Buona Vita Restaurant

Restaurant Lorena's

Carangi's Cafe & Deli

Italian Street Restaurant & Pizza

Yianni's Cafe

Swell Cafe

agnello's cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Bp Pulse Charging Station

The Flanders Hotel

American star inn and suites hotel galloway

Cornucopia Cruise Lines

Playland's Castaway Cove

Conference House Park

Nomahegan Park

Fords Park

Briant Park

Kids 'N Shape - Staten Island

Echo Lake Park

National Parks Near This Route

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Gateway National Recreation Area

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Union, NJ

Middletown, NJ

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ?

Are there national parks near the route from Union, NJ to Middletown, NJ?

How this page is built

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