Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
72.8 mi
117 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Country Lake Estates, NJ
Malcolm Garret
Union, NJ to Country Lake Estates, NJ is 72.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m via New Jersey Turnpike, US 206, and Garden State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically within New Jersey, making it a straightforward journey for residents. The route is primarily highway-focused, suggesting a quick and efficient drive rather than a leisurely exploration. Given its short duration and highway nature, this is a perfect option for a same-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Expect minimal detours and a consistent pace for most of the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 36.7 mi | 42m |
| US 206 | 9 mi | 10m |
| Garden State Parkway | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| North Pemberton Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Pointville Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Juliustown Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Lakehurst Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Country Lake Estates, NJ.
Start on Harding Avenue
Turn right onto CR 630
Turn left onto CR 619
Continue on CR 619
Take the ramp
Merge onto GSP
Continue on Garden State Parkway
Take the exit onto Exit 129
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 206
Continue on US 206
Continue on US 206
Turn left onto CR 630
Continue on CR 630
Turn right onto CR 669
Continue on CR 530
Turn right onto Choctaw Drive
Continue on Spring Terrace
Turn left onto Chippewa Trail
Turn right onto Spring Lake Boulevard
Continue on Spring Lake Boulevard
Arrive at destination
For this 72.8-mile drive, consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commute times on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. With a duration of around 1 hour and 40 minutes and a fuel cost estimated at $12, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a short break during the 36.7-mile stretch on the Turnpike to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially if traveling during typical rush hours, as they can significantly impact your travel time.
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.
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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Country Lake Estates, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Union, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Union, NJ
This is one driving day of about 72.8 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from Union, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 51.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto Exit 129 toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 206: Bordentown, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 206 South: Joint Base MDL
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$12.07 one way
$24.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.22 | $26.44 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.12 | $28.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.07 | $32.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.80
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
$12
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.64 | $3.49 |
| Efficient EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.37 | $2.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Union on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Country Lake Estates on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. You'll experience a consistent pace for extended periods, including a longest stretch of 36.7 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. While the initial and final segments might involve some local road navigation, the bulk of your time will be spent on these high-speed corridors. This highway-centric profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, but don't anticipate many opportunities for spontaneous roadside attractions along the main thoroughfares.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and US 206. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.2 miles in near Exit 129.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 12.2 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NJ and Country Lake Estates, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Njtp
Philadelphia
Woodbridge
Perth Amboy
Njtp: New York City
Njtp South: Trenton
Trenton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 72.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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