Origin
Highlands, NJ
Afternoon in Highlands on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highlands, NJ to Union, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
55m
Distance
36.4 mi
59 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highlands, NJ
MINEIA MARTINS
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
This 36.4-mile drive from Highlands, NJ, to Union, NJ, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 55 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $6, this is a budget-friendly trip perfect for a single day. The route primarily utilizes the Garden State Parkway, accounting for 79% of the drive, suggesting a smooth and efficient transit. Given its short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal for a quick commute or a day trip within the Northeast region of New Jersey. You won't need an overnight stay to cover this distance.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Garden State Parkway | 22.6 mi | 30m |
| NJ 35 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Leonardville Road | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Memorial Parkway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Cherry Tree Farm Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Linden Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Navesink Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 22.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sea Drift Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 8
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bay Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 8
490 ft
·
13 sec
·
Waterwitch Avenue
4
Continue on CR 8
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Linden Avenue
5
Turn right onto NJ 36
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Navesink Avenue
6
Continue on NJ 36
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Memorial Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward CR 516 West: Highlands
8
Turn slight right onto CR 516
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Leonardville Road
9
Turn right onto CR 516
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Cherry Tree Farm Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto NJ 35; CR 516
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 35; CR 516
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP: Clark Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Local, All Exits
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto GSP
23 mi
·
30 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
17
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
18
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
19
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
20
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
21
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
22
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.2 miles from Highlands, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 35.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 8 / Bay Avenue
Turn left onto CR 8 / Bay Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
11.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward GSP: Clark Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward GSP: Clark Street
8
12.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Local, All Exits
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Local, All Exits
8
35.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
6
35.4 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, E...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.03 one way
$12.07 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.61 | $13.22 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.04 | $16.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Garden State Parkway
(22.6 mi)
$1.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$1
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.75 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.18 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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, NJ
Afternoon in Union on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
55m 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?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 36.4-mile route, as 79% of it is on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.6 miles on the Garden State Parkway, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on the parkway, you'll also navigate segments of NJ 35 and Leonardville Road, which might offer a slight change of scenery before rejoining faster routes. This drive is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic detours.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.6 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 8 / Bay Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 36.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 8 / Bay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Highlands, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Cr 516 West: Highlands, Local and All Exits.
Cr 516 West: Highlands
3 mi in
|
~5m
Local
12.2 mi in
|
~21m
All Exits
12.2 mi in
|
~21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 36.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.6 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.36 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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, 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: near the start (CR 8 / Bay Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Gateway National Recreation Area and Morristown National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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