Origin
Medford Lakes, NJ
Late night in Medford Lakes on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medford Lakes, 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 51m
Distance
84.4 mi
136 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 44m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medford Lakes, NJ
David Kanigan
Union City, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.4-mile journey from Medford Lakes to Union City, New Jersey, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for a quick trip within the Northeast region. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging, local-feeling drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Since there are no designated overnight stops and the drive is relatively short, you'll have plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how often you choose to pause. This trip offers a straightforward way to navigate between two points in the Garden State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.2 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 61.5 mi | 1h 12m |
| New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Mount Holly Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Stokes Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Medford-Mount Holly Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Burlington-Mount Holly Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford Lakes, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on Indian Trail
428 ft
·
20 sec
·
Indian Trail
2
Turn right onto Big Look Trail
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Big Look Trail
3
At end of road, turn left onto Bowker Road
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bowker Road
4
Turn right onto Mohawk Trail
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Mohawk Trail
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Stokes Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on CR 541
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
7
Continue on CR 541
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Medford-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on CR 541
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
9
Turn left onto CR 541
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
11
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Mount Holly Bypass
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
14
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hancock Lane
15
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
17
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
56 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 16E
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 495
22
Take the exit
263 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
30th Street
24
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft
·
16 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
25
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
26
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
47th Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bergenline Avenue
28
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
45th Street
29
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 43-minute duration and 85.4-mile distance, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. With a fuel cost of around $14, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since the drive involves numerous turns, pay close attention to your GPS and road signage, especially on local roads like Big Look Trail and Bowker Road. Plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, which can significantly extend your travel time on these non-highway segments.
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 42.2 miles from Medford Lakes, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 19 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 57m 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 32m
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 Medford Lakes, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medford Lakes, NJ
This is one driving day of about 84.4 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Medford Lakes, 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 61.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 42.2 miles from Medford Lakes, 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 61.5 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 0.5 and 81.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 541 / Stokes Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541 / Stokes Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Turn left onto CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
6
18.9 mi into trip
|
~30m 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.
7
81.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m 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
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.32 | $30.65 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.37 | $32.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.63 | $37.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.51
New Jersey Turnpike
(67.7 mi)
$9.48
Nj Turnpike
(0.2 mi)
$0.03
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
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.82 | $5.40 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Late night in Union City on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
West Windsor, NJ
42 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 51m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$10
near mile 78.6
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 81.5
View on nps.gov
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 72.8
View on nps.gov
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 58.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 85.4-mile route, as it features 0% highway travel. You'll be navigating primarily on roads like Big Look Trail, Bowker Road, and Mohawk Trail, which means your pace will be dictated by local traffic and frequent directional changes. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to speak of, suggesting a continuous series of turns and varying road conditions throughout the 1 hour and 43-minute journey. This driving profile is best suited for those who prefer an active engagement with the road over a monotonous highway experience.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 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 0.5 miles in near CR 541 / Stokes Road.
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 84.4 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 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Medford Lakes, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike and Njtp North: New York.
All Turns
13.1 mi in
|
~22m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
13.3 mi in
|
~22m
|
via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
13.5 mi in
|
~23m
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 51m. Total distance: 84.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.51 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 0.5 miles (CR 541 / Stokes Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
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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