North Cape May, NJ to Union City, NJ is 157.8 miles and takes about 3h 15m via Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, moving from the southern tip of the state up towards the northeast corridor. Given its mostly highway profile and relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive best suited for a single day. You'll cover a significant portion of the state's parkway and turnpike systems. It's a practical option for getting from the Jersey Shore region to the dense urban areas north of New Brunswick.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from North Cape May, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
127.9 mi
2h 30m
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
6.2 mi
8m
Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
Sandman Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Shore Road
0.6 mi
1m
Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 127.9 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Cape May, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi·1 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto NJ 109
0.6 mi·1 min·Shore Road
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto GSP
19 mi·21 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto GSP
34 mi·39 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
11
Continue on GSP
25 mi·30 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, TrentonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
17
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
14 mi·17 min·New Jersey Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
6.2 mi·8 min·New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 16EToward NJ 495 East: Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 495
0.5 mi·37 sec·NJ 495
21
Take the exit
263 ft·6 sec
Toward Kennedy BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
22
Continue on 30th Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·30th Street
23
Turn left onto CR 501
296 ft·16 sec·John F Kennedy Boulevard
24
Continue on CR 501
0.8 mi·1 min·John F. Kennedy Boulevard
25
Turn right onto 47th Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·47th Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
0.1 mi·21 sec·Bergenline Avenue
27
Turn right onto 45th Street
64 ft·2 sec·45th Street
28
Arrive at destination
45th Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart North Cape May in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic on the Garden State Parkway, especially if traveling on a weekend. With only a 3h 15m estimated drive time, you won't need extensive stops, but consider a quick break around the halfway point or near where the Garden State Parkway meets the New Jersey Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $27, and plan your fill-up accordingly before hitting the more urbanized northern stretch. Because this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; leaving a bit later on a weekday morning is also feasible.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.9 miles from North Cape May, NJ, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.9 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
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 North Cape May, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Cape May, NJ
This is one driving day of about 157.8 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from North Cape May, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 127.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Lincoln Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP North
6
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
133.1 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
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 129
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
7
154.9 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
$27.56 one way
$55.12 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$30.17
$60.35
premium
$5.20
$32.28
$64.56
diesel
$6.28
$38.99
$77.98
Estimated Tolls: $10.50
Garden State Parkway
(127.9 mi)$7.67
New Jersey Turnpike
(20.2 mi)$2.83
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
$28
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.57
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.81
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
North Cape May, NJ
Morning
in North Cape May on Friday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Union City, NJ
Morning
in Union City on Friday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 8 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 15m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$10
near mile 152.4
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 152.4
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 146.9
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 141.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on major highways, with 94% of the 157.8 miles on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. You'll experience a 127.9-mile stretch on the Garden State Parkway before transitioning to the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect a high volume of exits and merges, particularly as you approach the northern part of the state. The transition from the parkway to the turnpike signifies a shift from more open cruising to heavier traffic and denser development.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.9 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. 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 Lincoln Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 157.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
174 ft8 ft
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
166 ft
Highest Point
174 ft
~158.4 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Cape May, NJ and Union City, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York City, Trenton and Njtp North: New York City.
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.
Top landmarks
•Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel — church building in New Jersey, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 157.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m 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 127.9 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.50 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.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Union City, NJ, but most travelers stay overnight.
