Origin
Ashland, NJ
Night in Ashland on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, NJ to Union City, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
87.2 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, NJ
James Kampeis
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ashland, NJ to Union City, NJ is 87.2 miles and takes about 1h 50m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a straightforward, highway-focused journey entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and primary reliance on major toll roads, it's an efficient option for moving between these locations. You'll spend most of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike and its Eastern Spur, making it a practical choice for a quick trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Ashland, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 70.9 mi | 1h 23m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| I 295 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Burnt Mill Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| John F. Kennedy Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| NJ 495 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| NJ 73 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 30th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on Philmar Avenue
517 ft
·
27 sec
·
Philmar Avenue
2
Turn left onto East 3rd Avenue
298 ft
·
15 sec
·
East 3rd Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 670
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnt Mill Road
4
Turn left onto CR 561
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Haddonfield-Berlin Road
5
Continue on CR 561
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Berlin Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 295 North
7
Merge onto I 295
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 295
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
NJ 73
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJTP North: New York
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi
·
16 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
56 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 495
17
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
19
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
20
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
21
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
23
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
24
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 1h 50m drive with a fuel cost around $14, it’s best tackled in a single day. Consider departing outside of peak commute hours to avoid potential traffic delays on the New Jersey Turnpike. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over at any service area along the turnpike for a break or to refuel if needed. A key tip is to ensure your E-ZPass or other toll transponder is functioning correctly, as this route is predominantly toll-based.
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 43.6 miles from Ashland, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
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 Ashland, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ashland, NJ
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ashland, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.6 miles from Ashland, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 84.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward NJ 73 South: Berlin
7
6.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
21.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
78.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.46 one way
$28.91 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.83 | $31.67 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.91 | $33.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.25 | $38.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.80
New Jersey Turnpike
(77.2 mi)
$10.80
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
$14
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.16 | $4.19 |
| Efficient EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.63 | $3.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.21 | $5.58 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Union City, NJ
Night in Union City on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
2 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
1h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 94% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll be on major expressways for the vast majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect a consistent driving experience characterized by high speeds and limited exits. The route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic views, so prepare for a steady pace on well-maintained, high-volume roadways.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashland, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
6.1 mi in
|
~8m
Njtp North: New York
6.6 mi in
|
~10m
About the Cities
Arriving in Union City, NJ
Full guide →Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey. Union City is a small city, roughly 1.283 square miles. It is bordered by Weehawken to the east, Jersey City to the south, North Bergen to the west and north, and West New York to the north.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.80 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Union City, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union City, NJ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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