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Trip from West Caldwell, NJ to Union City, NJ

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

28m

Distance

21.4 mi

34 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 26m ★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m

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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township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States

West Caldwell, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

city in the northern part of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States

Union City, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from West Caldwell, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 21.4 miles and takes about 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on NJ 3, US 46, Passaic Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.5 miles on NJ 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.55 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

0 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

10.7 miles from West Caldwell, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 28m highway drive covering 21.4 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 3 and US 46. The longest continuous stretch is about 10.5 miles on NJ 3.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 3 and US 46. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near US 46.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.9 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5
3.9 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 46

Merge onto US 46

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Bou...
7
20 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward Kennedy Boulevard

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward Kennedy Boulevard
5
21.2 mi into trip | ~28m in | Bergenline Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
21.3 mi into trip | ~28m in | 45th Street

Turn right onto 45th Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NJ 3 10.5 mi 11m
US 46 5 mi 5m
Passaic Avenue 3.8 mi 5m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard 0.8 mi 1m
NJ 495 0.3 mi <1m
30th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Bergenline Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
47th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: NJ 3 — 10.5 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Caldwell, NJ and Union City, NJ.

1

Start on CR 613

3.8 mi · 5 min · Passaic Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
3

Merge onto US 46

3.4 mi · 3 min · US 46
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on US 46

1.6 mi · 1 min · US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Turn slight left onto NJ 3

11 mi · 11 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Merge onto NJ 495

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 495
8

Take the exit

263 ft · 6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on 30th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 30th Street
10

Turn left onto CR 501

296 ft · 16 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard
11

Continue on CR 501

0.8 mi · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
12

Turn right onto 47th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 47th Street
13

At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue
14

Turn right onto 45th Street

64 ft · 2 sec · 45th Street
15

Arrive at destination

45th Street

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.7 miles from West Caldwell, NJ, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.5 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 21.4 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 10.7 miles or 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 22m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving West Caldwell, 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 West Caldwell, NJ

This is one driving day of about 21.4 miles and 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Caldwell, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NJ 3 for about 10.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10.7 mi from West Caldwell, NJ · 13m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

11 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10.7 miles from West Caldwell, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Union City, NJ

The final approach into Union City, 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 Union City, NJ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 6.6
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour $10
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

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...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 20.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.55 one way

$7.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $3.89 $7.77
premium $4.93 $4.15 $8.30
diesel $5.61 $4.72 $9.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 57% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.4 0 $2.25 $1.03
Efficient EV 5.4 0 $1.87 $0.86
EV Truck/SUV 8.6 0 $3.00 $1.37

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (57% 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

West Caldwell, NJ

Evening in West Caldwell on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SW 17 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Destination

Union City, NJ

Evening in Union City on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

21 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

28m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from West Caldwell, NJ to Union City, NJ covers 21.4 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 3, US 46, Passaic Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.7 miles from West Caldwell, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.55 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.9 miles (US 46): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from West Caldwell, NJ to Union City, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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