Traveling from Union City to Greenwich covers 130.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes. Because the total duration is under three hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the New Jersey Turnpike, Veterans Memorial Highway, and Buck Road, keeping your travel costs to approximately $22 in fuel. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast, you won't face major regional climate shifts, though the transition from the dense urban Northeast to the quieter environment of Greenwich is notable. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of pace, this straightforward drive offers an efficient way to cross the state.
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
65.2 miles from Union City, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
85.9 mi
1h 41m
Veterans Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
Buck Road
7.2 mi
10m
Centerton Road
6.5 mi
9m
Greenwich Road
3.5 mi
6m
Pearl Street North
2.8 mi
4m
Bridgeton Road
2.3 mi
4m
North-South Freeway
0.9 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 Greenwich, 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 SouthUse 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 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto NJ 168
0.3 mi·44 sec·Black Horse Pike
14
Turn left onto CR 659
0.4 mi·1 min·West Browning Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight left onto CR 753
0.8 mi·2 min·Creek Road
16
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Harding Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
18
Merge onto NJ 42
0.9 mi·1 min·North-South Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55
15 mi·17 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, VinelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 45Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, CentertonUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto CR 553
7.2 mi·10 min·Buck Road
22
Turn left onto CR 553
1.8 mi·2 min·Centerton Road
23
Continue on CR 540; CR 553
4.8 mi·7 min·Centerton Road
24
Turn slight right onto NJ 56
0.1 mi·15 sec·Landis Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Turn slight left onto NJ 77
2.8 mi·4 min·Pearl Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto NJ 49
0.7 mi·1 min·East Broad Street
27
Turn left onto CR 607
0.1 mi·12 sec·South West Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto CR 607
0.3 mi·27 sec·Bowentown Road
29
Continue on CR 607
3.5 mi·6 min·Greenwich Road
30
Continue on CR 607
2.3 mi·4 min·Bridgeton Road
31
Arrive at destination
CR 607
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in Greenwich, try to time your departure to avoid the heaviest regional traffic peaks common on the New Jersey Turnpike. Since this is a relatively short trip, one well-timed stop is usually enough to keep you alert and comfortable. Keep in mind that your fuel budget of $22 is an estimate, so filling up before you hit the main highway can help you avoid higher service station prices. Use the flexibility of this 130.3-mile route to your advantage by checking live traffic reports before you leave Union City. If you notice delays on the turnpike, having a clear understanding of your transition to Veterans Memorial Highway will help you maintain your momentum.
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 65.2 miles from Union City, NJ, or about 1h 20m 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenwich, 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 130.3 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 New Jersey Turnpike for about 85.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 106.5 — 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
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 right at fork toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
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 North: Camden, Philadelphia
8
91.5 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland
8
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, Centerton
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 45
Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, Centerton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.60 one way
$43.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.66
$47.32
premium
$4.93
$25.27
$50.54
diesel
$5.61
$28.77
$57.54
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
$22
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.1
0
$13.68
$6.25
Efficient EV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
EV Truck/SUV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 14, 2026
Origin
Union City, NJ
Night
in Union City on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Greenwich, NJ
Night
in Greenwich on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
65 mi in
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
11 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 49m 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...
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 4.5
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 13.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 67% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New Jersey Turnpike, which spans 85.9 miles. Once you exit the turnpike, the character of the drive shifts significantly as you transition onto the Veterans Memorial Highway and finally the more local Buck Road. While the interstate portion is fast and efficient, the final miles provide a distinct change of scenery as you move toward your destination. Expect a blend of high-speed cruising followed by a more relaxed approach as you navigate the final segments of the journey.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 22 significant decision points across 130.3 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 88.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 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 Greenwich, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Camden, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Vineland, Cr 553: Clayton and Glassboro - among others.
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 49m. Total distance: 130.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). 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 Greenwich, 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 88.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 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 Greenwich, NJ before heading back.
