If you are planning a trip from Union City to Cedar Grove, you are looking at a 140.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within the Northeast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and Shore Road. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an affordable transit between these two New Jersey locations. Given the duration and distance, you won't need to worry about overnight lodging, allowing you to complete the drive comfortably in one go.
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
70.1 miles from Union City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
111.4 mi
2h 9m
New Jersey Turnpike
20.4 mi
26m
Shore Road
2.3 mi
3m
Exit to GSP and US Route 9
1.4 mi
2m
NJ 495
0.7 mi
1m
Kings Highway
0.7 mi
1m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, NJ and Cedar Grove, NJ.
1
Start on 45th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·45th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 501
0.5 mi·1 min·John F. Kennedy Boulevard
3
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·26 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West
5
Continue on this road
374 ft·11 sec·this road
Toward NJ 495 West
6
Merge onto NJ 495
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 495
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Newark
8
Merge onto I 95
5.6 mi·7 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
15 mi·18 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward I 95 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto Exit 11
1.4 mi·2 min·Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Exit 11Toward GSP, US 9: Garden State Parkway, WoodbridgeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance
0.5 mi·1 min·GSP Southbound entrance
Toward GSP South: Garden State ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto GSP
3.0 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
0.7 mi·49 sec·Garden State Parkway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto GSP
108 mi·2 hr 5 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 17
0.2 mi·29 sec·GSP SB Exit 17
Exit 17Toward Sea Isle City, Dennis TownshipUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
210 ft·10 sec
18
Turn left onto CR 625
0.3 mi·35 sec·Sea Isle Boulevard
19
Turn left onto US 9
2.3 mi·3 min·Shore Road
20
Turn right onto NJ 83
0.2 mi·18 sec·Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman III Memorial Highway
21
Turn slight right onto CR 608
0.7 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
22
Arrive at destination
CR 608
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 2-hour and 52-minute duration. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on highways, check traffic reports for the Garden State Parkway before you head out to avoid potential congestion on its longest segments. Being that this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always a smart move. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops along the route. Focus on staying alert during the long 111.4-mile Parkway stretch to ensure a safe arrival in Cedar Grove.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.1 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 1h 28m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Grove, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union 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 Union City, NJ
This is one driving day of about 140.1 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Union City, 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 111.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 136.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8 mi into trip|~12m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South
8
22.8 mi into trip|~31m in|Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9
Take the exit onto Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9 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...
8
24.2 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South, US 9, NJ 440: Garden State Pa...
7
24.4 mi into trip|~34m in|GSP Southbound entrance
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP Southbound entrance toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward GSP South: Garden State Parkway
8
136.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|GSP SB Exit 17
Take the exit onto GSP SB Exit 17 toward Sea Isle City, Dennis Township
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward Sea Isle City, Dennis Township
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.23 one way
$46.45 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.44
$50.88
premium
$4.93
$27.17
$54.34
diesel
$5.61
$30.93
$61.86
Estimated Tolls: $9.53
Garden State Parkway
(111.4 mi)$6.68
New Jersey Turnpike
(20.4 mi)$2.85
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
$23
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.26
$5.60
EV Truck/SUV
56
0
$19.61
$8.97
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Union City, NJ
Night
in Union City on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Grove, NJ
Night
in Cedar Grove on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
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
2h 52m 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...
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 4.8
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 9.7
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 14.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, including a significant 111.4-mile stretch along the Garden State Parkway. While the route is highway-focused, the transition between the Turnpike and local connections keeps the drive moving efficiently. You should prepare for a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel rather than a slow, winding tour. This is a straightforward path that prioritizes speed and directness over technical, back-road navigation.
96% 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: 111.4 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 8 miles in near NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 140.1 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 8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Union City, NJ and Cedar Grove, NJ, road signs point toward Gsp, Woodbridge, Gsp South and Perth Amboy.
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 52m. Total distance: 140.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m 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 111.4 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.53 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 Cedar Grove, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles (Exit 11 / Exit to GSP and US Route 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Cedar Grove, NJ before heading back.
