Traveling from Magnolia to Union City covers 89.2 miles of New Jersey landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 53 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it as a efficient one-day trip. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Northeast, the route relies heavily on major arteries to move you quickly between these two points. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that favors speed over sightseeing, making it ideal if your priority is simply arriving at your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m 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
5.7 mi
6m
Warwick Road North
1.2 mi
2m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
NJ 495
0.5 mi
<1m
Evesham Avenue West
0.3 mi
<1m
NJ 73
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 Magnolia, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on Walnut Avenue North
434 ft·24 sec·Walnut Avenue North
2
Turn left onto CR 544
0.3 mi·36 sec·Evesham Avenue West
3
Turn left onto CR 669
1.2 mi·2 min·Warwick Road North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
5
Merge onto I 295
5.7 mi·6 min·I 295
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 36AToward NJ 73 South: BerlinUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto NJ 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·NJ 73
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi·8 min·New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 16EToward NJ 495 East: Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi·37 sec·NJ 495
15
Take the exit
263 ft·6 sec
Toward Kennedy BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·30th Street
17
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft·16 sec·John F Kennedy Boulevard
18
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi·1 min·John F. Kennedy Boulevard
19
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·47th Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi·21 sec·Bergenline Avenue
21
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft·2 sec·45th Street
22
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. Keep in mind that heavy traffic is common on the turnpike, so checking real-time conditions before you head out is a smart move. Because the entire route is highway-based, you won't need to worry about complex navigation or frequent stops, allowing you to maintain a steady pace. If you prefer a more relaxed drive, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the worst of the congestion on the turnpike. Use the 70.9-mile stretch as your primary window for steady cruising, as this is where you will make the most progress toward Union City.
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 44.6 miles from Magnolia, NJ, or about 56m 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 56m 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 City, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Magnolia, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Magnolia, NJ
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Magnolia, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 86.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.5 mi into trip|~11m 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
8.6 mi into trip|~13m 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
23.7 mi into trip|~31m 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
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
$14.79 one way
$29.58 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.20
$32.39
premium
$4.93
$17.30
$34.60
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
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
$15
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 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
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Magnolia, NJ
Morning
in Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
9:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Union City, NJ
Morning
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
9:50 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
18 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 53m 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.
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 86.1
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 76.9
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 73.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 94% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, the Eastern Spur, and I-295 to manage the flow of traffic. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New Jersey Turnpike, where you will spend 70.9 miles focused on the road. This is a classic interstate grind that demands your full attention, especially when transitioning between the turnpike's various spurs. The road personality is consistent and utilitarian, designed specifically for rapid transit rather than leisure driving.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 7.5 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 89.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
105 ft9 ft
Total Climb
113 ft
Total Descent
184 ft
Highest Point
105 ft
~40.9 mi in
Elevation Range
96 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Magnolia, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 City, NJ before heading back.
