If you are planning to travel from Pennsville to Union City, you are looking at a straightforward 117.4-mile journey across the state of New Jersey. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip that rarely requires an overnight stop. Your route relies heavily on the New Jersey Turnpike, keeping the navigation simple and efficient. With an estimated fuel cost of approximately $19, it is an economical way to traverse the Northeast corridor. Because the drive is relatively short and focused on major arteries, it serves as a reliable connection between these two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Pennsville, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
105 mi
2h 2m
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
6.2 mi
8m
North Broadway
2.1 mi
3m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
NJ 495
0.5 mi
<1m
East Pittsfield Street
0.2 mi
1m
30th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Old Pennsville-Auburn Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 105 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pennsville, NJ and Union City, NJ.
1
Start on Fenwick Avenue
82 ft·6 sec·Fenwick Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Pittsfield Street
0.2 mi·1 min·East Pittsfield Street
3
Turn right onto NJ 49
2.1 mi·3 min·North Broadway
4
Take the exit
300 ft·8 sec
Toward US 40 East, NJTP: Hook Road, Atlantic City
5
Turn straight onto Old Pennsville-Auburn Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Old Pennsville-Auburn Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 40 East: Atlantic City
7
Merge onto NJTP; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·11 sec·this road
10
Merge onto NJTP
47 mi·53 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
Because this route is entirely highway-based, your primary concern should be timing your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion on the Turnpike. Since the entire 117.4-mile trip is well within a comfortable driving range for a single day, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. While you won't necessarily need to plan for formal stops given the short duration, keep that $19 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals. Since you will be spending nearly the entire time on major turnpikes, ensure you have your electronic toll payment method ready for a seamless experience. Staying alert during that long 105-mile stretch on the Turnpike is the best way to ensure a safe and successful arrival in 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 58.7 miles from Pennsville, NJ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 54m
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 Pennsville, 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 Pennsville, NJ
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Pennsville, 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 105 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 116 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Pittsfield Street
Turn right onto East Pittsfield Street
Navigation decision point
6
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
108.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
6
116 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward Kennedy Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Kennedy Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.46 one way
$38.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.32
$42.63
premium
$4.93
$22.77
$45.54
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
Estimated Tolls: $15.57
New Jersey Turnpike
(111.2 mi)$15.57
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
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 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
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
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
Pennsville, NJ
Late night
in Pennsville on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union City, NJ
Late night
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
12:48 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
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
2h 23m 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
~17 min detour
$10
near mile 109.3
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
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 105.2
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 101.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, as 95% of your travel time will be spent on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, including a significant 105-mile uninterrupted stretch that allows for consistent cruising. The experience is primarily a highway-focused drive, trading scenic variety for speed and directness. As you transition from the Turnpike to the Eastern Spur and eventually navigate toward North Broadway, the pace shifts from open road to the more densely populated environment of Union City. Do not expect technical winding roads; instead, prepare for a steady, high-speed transit that gets you to your destination with minimal fuss.
95% 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: 105 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near East Pittsfield Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 117.4 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: near the start (East Pittsfield Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.9 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.57 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.
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: near the start (East Pittsfield Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.9 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur): 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.
