This 116.5-mile drive from Ocean City, NJ, to Union, NJ, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 25 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused route, making it an ideal day trip within the Northeast region. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Garden State Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $19, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you can maintain a consistent pace and arrive at your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
110.5 mi
2h 12m
East 9th Street
1.7 mi
3m
NJ 52
1.5 mi
2m
Morris Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Laurel Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Harding Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
US 22
<0.1 mi
<1m
Vauxhall Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 110.5 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean City, NJ and Union, NJ.
1
Start on East 9th Street
1.7 mi·3 min·East 9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on NJ 52
1.5 mi·2 min·NJ 52
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Laurel Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Laurel Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
201 ft·4 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·44 sec·this road
Toward GSP Toll North
6
Merge onto GSP
23 mi·26 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
50 mi·58 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·31 sec
9
Continue on GSP
37 mi·47 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 140Toward US 22, NJ 82: HillsideUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 22
158 ft·3 sec·US 22
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
13
Turn slight right onto NJ 82
0.1 mi·14 sec·Morris Avenue
14
Turn slight right
507 ft·44 sec
15
Turn left onto NJ 82
0.5 mi·55 sec·Morris Avenue
16
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Harding Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 630
32 ft·4 sec·Vauxhall Road
18
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
243 ft·10 sec·Harding Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Harding Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 25-minute duration and 116.5-mile distance, this is a very manageable trip, perfect for leaving at your leisure. Plan to depart when traffic is lightest, likely mid-morning or early afternoon, to maximize your time on the 110.5-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway. With a low fuel cost of around $19, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops, but it's always wise to check your gauge before heading out. Consider using NJ 52 and East 9th Street for the initial and final segments of your journey.
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 58.3 miles from Ocean City, NJ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.5 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 11m 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 57m
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 Ocean City, 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 Ocean City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 116.5 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ocean City, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Garden State Parkway for about 110.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 115.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
27.4 mi into trip|~35m 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.
4
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
115.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
6
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
$19
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.23
$5.59
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.19
$4.66
EV Truck/SUV
46.6
0
$16.31
$7.46
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Ocean City, NJ
Morning
in Ocean City on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, NJ
Morning
in Union on Sunday
Local time
6:19 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
1 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
2h 25m 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 116.5
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 116.5
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 116.5
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 88.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 116.5-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on the Garden State Parkway, which offers a consistent and uninterrupted stretch of 110.5 miles. This means you'll primarily be on well-maintained roads designed for steady travel. The route's profile suggests a focus on efficiency rather than scenic detours, so prepare for a drive where speed and directness are key.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.5 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and East 9th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near GSP / Garden State Parkway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 116.5 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 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, in the Southern Shore region of New Jersey. It has a reputation for being a family-friendly city and is referred to as "America's Greatest Family Resort".
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 116.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.5 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.63 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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (GSP / Garden State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
