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Trip from Union City, NJ to Glendora, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

90.7 mi

146 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in the northern part of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States

Union City, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Glendora, NJ, NJ

Glendora, NJ

Alexa V. Mato

Trip Overview

If you are traveling from Union City to Glendora, expect a straightforward 90.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the New Jersey Turnpike, supported by NJ 495 and the Black Horse Pike, to complete your transit across the state. With a fuel budget of approximately $15, this drive is an economical way to navigate between these two Northeast locations. It is a highly practical connection that favors efficiency over sightseeing, making it ideal for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.4 miles from Union City, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 85.9 mi 1h 41m
Black Horse Pike 1.5 mi 3m
NJ 495 0.7 mi 1m
John F. Kennedy Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
Austin Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
45th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 85.9 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union City, NJ and Glendora, 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

55 mi · 1 hr 5 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Toward I 95 South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

25 mi · 29 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 3 Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic City Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto NJ 168

1.5 mi · 3 min · Black Horse Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn right onto Austin Avenue

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Austin Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

Austin Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check for potential congestion on the Turnpike before heading out. Since the drive lasts under two hours, you likely won't need to plan for formal stops, allowing you to head straight through to your destination. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is ready for the 90.7-mile haul. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the heavy industrial highway segments onto the Black Horse Pike as you approach Glendora. Staying mindful of these road changes will help you maintain a smooth, stress-free arrival.

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 45.4 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 20 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.4 miles or 57m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendora, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Union City, NJ

This is one driving day of about 90.7 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Union City, 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 85.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

45 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Manalapan, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.4 miles from Union City, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.9 miles.

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 88.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West
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
6
63 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
8
88.3 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway

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 3 Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
88.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.04 one way

$30.07 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $16.47 $32.94
premium $4.93 $17.59 $35.18
diesel $5.61 $20.03 $40.05

Estimated Tolls: $12.03

New Jersey Turnpike (85.9 mi) $12.03

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

$15

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.2 0 $9.52 $4.35
Efficient EV 22.7 0 $7.94 $3.63
EV Truck/SUV 36.3 0 $12.70 $5.80

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 16, 2026

Origin

Union City, NJ

Morning in Union City on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glendora, NJ

Morning in Glendora on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

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

1h 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

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 6.3
Park Closure: Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 3.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

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...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 12.5
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 15.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 95% of this route is dedicated to high-speed transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the New Jersey Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 85.9-mile stretch of the journey. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains consistent and fast-moving for almost the entire duration. While you start by navigating through the busy corridors near Union City, the road eventually opens up as you head toward the more residential setting of Glendora. Prepare for a predictable, steady drive that requires constant attention to traffic flow rather than technical navigation.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 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 Black Horse Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Glendora, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Camden and Wilmington.

Njtp South: Camden

63 mi in | ~1h 17m | via NJTP

Wilmington

63 mi in | ~1h 17m | via NJTP

About the Cities

Starting in Union City, NJ

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m 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 85.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $12.03 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 Glendora, 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles (NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Glendora, 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.

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