Origin
Medford, NJ
Late night in Medford on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medford, NJ to Union, NJ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
70.7 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medford, NJ
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
Medford, NJ to Union, NJ is 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m via New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Jersey, focusing on major highways to cover the 70.7 miles between these two points. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, ideal for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a largely uninterrupted journey, perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Medford, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 46.5 mi | 53m |
| Garden State Parkway | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Mount Holly Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Medford-Mount Holly Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Burlington-Mount Holly Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Morris Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 46.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on CR 541
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on CR 541
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Medford-Mount Holly Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on CR 541
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto CR 541
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Holly Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on CR 541
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Mount Holly Avenue Bypass
6
Continue on CR 541
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Mount Holly Bypass
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 541
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Burlington-Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Toward NJTP: Hancock Lane, All Turns
9
Turn left onto Hancock Lane
306 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hancock Lane
10
Continue on NJ Turnpike Exit 5
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Toward NJTP Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward NJTP North: New York
12
Merge onto NJTP
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
41 mi
·
47 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward GSP North: Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto GSP
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 140
Toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 22
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 22
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
20
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morris Avenue
21
Turn slight right
507 ft
·
44 sec
22
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Morris Avenue
23
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Harding Avenue
24
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft
·
4 sec
·
Vauxhall Road
25
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft
·
10 sec
·
Harding Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike. With only 70.7 miles, you won't need extensive fuel stops, but it's always wise to ensure your tank is near full before departing Medford, as fuel costs are estimated at $12. The longest uninterrupted stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike means you can settle in for a solid block of driving before needing to think about exits.
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 35.3 miles from Medford, NJ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 45m 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 15m
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 Medford, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medford, NJ
This is one driving day of about 70.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Medford, 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 46.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Medford, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 69.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Turn left onto CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
10.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NJTP North: New York
8
56.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
$11.72 one way
$23.44 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.84 | $25.67 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.71 | $27.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.21
New Jersey Turnpike
(46.5 mi)
$6.51
Garden State Parkway
(11.2 mi)
$0.67
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
$12
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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, NJ
Late night in Union on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Mansfield, NJ
35 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
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 32m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$10
near mile 70.7
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 68.2
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 70.7
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 65.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the drive on major roads, making it a quick and direct path. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 46.5 miles. The drive begins on Main Street before transitioning to these high-speed corridors. The character is consistently geared towards efficient travel, minimizing local traffic and maximizing your progress towards Union.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.5 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 Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass.
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 70.7 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 5.3 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medford, NJ and Union, NJ, road signs point toward All Turns, Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Gsp and Woodbridge.
All Turns
9.7 mi in
|
~14m
Njtp Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
9.9 mi in
|
~15m
|
via NJ Turnpike Exit 5
Njtp North: New York
10.1 mi in
|
~16m
Gsp
56.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Woodbridge
56.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 70.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.21 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 5.3 miles (CR 541 / Mount Holly Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Union, NJ
More trips to Union, NJ
Explore more options from Medford, NJ or browse trips ending in Union, NJ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NJ road trips.