Jefferson, NJ to Union, NJ is 96.1 miles and takes about 1h 59m via New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Swedesboro Road, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect mostly highway driving for this relatively short, single-day excursion. It’s a straightforward drive that should be manageable for most drivers looking for a quick transit between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Jefferson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
77.6 mi
1h 29m
Garden State Parkway
11.2 mi
15m
Swedesboro Road
3 mi
5m
Bridgeton Pike
1 mi
1m
Morris Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Harding Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
US 22
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 77.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on NJ 45
1.0 mi·1 min·Bridgeton Pike
2
Continue on NJ 45
347 ft·9 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 322; CR 536
3.0 mi·5 min·Swedesboro Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
6
Merge onto NJTP
36 mi·41 min·New Jersey Turnpike
7
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi·47 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto GSP
11 mi·15 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 140Toward US 22, NJ 82: HillsideUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 22
158 ft·3 sec·US 22
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
14
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi·14 sec·Morris Avenue
15
Turn slight right
507 ft·44 sec
16
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi·55 sec·Morris Avenue
17
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Harding Avenue
18
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft·4 sec·Vauxhall Road
19
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft·10 sec·Harding Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 59m duration, this is easily a one-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid heavier traffic, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike. With only 96.1 miles, you likely won’t need extensive stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, as the estimated cost is $16. The longest continuous stretch is over 77 miles, so plan for a brief break before or after this segment if needed.
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 48 miles from Jefferson, NJ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.6 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 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 58m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jefferson, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jefferson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 96.1 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Jefferson, 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 77.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 94.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn left toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
6
4.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ Turnpike North, New York City
8
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
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 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbri...
7
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
8
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.93 one way
$31.86 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.45
$34.90
premium
$4.93
$18.64
$37.27
diesel
$5.61
$21.22
$42.44
Estimated Tolls: $11.53
New Jersey Turnpike
(77.6 mi)$10.86
Garden State Parkway
(11.2 mi)$0.67
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
$16
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jefferson, NJ
Late night
in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, NJ
Late night
in Union on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
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
16 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 59m 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.
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...
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
near mile 92.8
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
near mile 96.1
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 96.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the drive on major roadways. You'll experience a long stretch of 77.6 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, indicating a sustained period of high-speed travel. The transition to surface roads like Swedesboro Road will likely occur towards the end of your trip, introducing more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.6 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 Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Jefferson, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp and Woodbridge.
Gsp
82.3 mi in|~1h 38m
Woodbridge
82.3 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 96.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.6 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.53 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, 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 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Union, NJ before heading back.
