Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge
Near the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
76.7 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, NJ
Arjun Gheewala
Golden Triangle, NJ
Garrison Gao
This 76.7-mile journey from Union, NJ, to the Golden Triangle, NJ, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. Predominantly highway-focused, about 90% of the drive utilizes major arteries like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, with a segment on Marlton Pike. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route offers a straightforward and efficient trip within the Northeast region. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is relatively short, you'll have plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how you pace yourself.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | 55.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| Garden State Parkway | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| Marlton Pike | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Garden State Parkway Southbound | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| I 295 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Stuyvesant Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| NJ 73 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Garden Park Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Golden Triangle, 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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 73
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 70
Turn right onto Garden Park Boulevard
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Given the 1-hour, 38-minute duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart outside of peak commute hours to maximize your time on the road and minimize potential delays, especially on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. With no recommended stops, you can decide on breaks as needed, but be mindful of the longest stretch being over 55 miles. Having your navigation set for the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will help you stay on track for this efficient, highway-focused trip.
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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 50m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Golden Triangle, 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 76.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 38.3 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Union, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Oasis Restaurant
Cranford, New Jersey
Dolsot House | Korean BBQ Restaurant
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Union, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+19083966401
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cranford, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19089676161
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm
+18562160090
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Maplewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19737634460
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Linden, New Jersey
Hours: 12 pm–12 am
+19089254166
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 2–10 pm
+18567512800
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+18564897373
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–8:45 pm
+18568881578
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Robbinsville Twp, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Union, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18885577099
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Clark, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Cranbury, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
East Windsor, NJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18885577099
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Edison, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 12:15–8:45 pm
+16107571053
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 4–11 pm
+18566516900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pennsauken, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18562162117
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 12:30–11 pm
+18563246417
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18562727475
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 2–9 pm
+18563935500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+17327453900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+18564953080
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 72.9 — 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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 70 West: Cherry Hill, Camden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$12.72 one way
$25.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.93 | $27.85 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.87 | $29.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.93 | $33.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.49
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
$13
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.71 | $3.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Union on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Golden Triangle on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
46°F
Mansfield, NJ
38 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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
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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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 76.7-mile route, with a substantial 90% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55.9 miles along the New Jersey Turnpike, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While the primary roads are the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, the inclusion of Marlton Pike suggests a potential shift in road type as you approach your destination. This highway-focused profile indicates a drive prioritizing directness over varied scenery.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. 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 76.7 miles you will encounter 20 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 Golden Triangle, 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
Njtp South: Camden
Wilmington
Camden
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 76.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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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