This 97.1-mile journey from Union to Harding is a straightforward, highway-centric trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Because the entire route stays within New Jersey, you can easily manage this as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the Northeast corridor, the drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares like the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Veterans Memorial Highway. It is a highly practical route for travelers prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours, making it a reliable choice for getting between these two points quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Union, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
64.4 mi
1h 14m
Veterans Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
Garden State Parkway
8.6 mi
11m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
North-South Freeway
0.9 mi
1m
Creek Road
0.8 mi
2m
Stuyvesant Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Buck Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 64.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NJ and Harding, NJ.
1
Start on Harding Avenue
243 ft·11 sec·Harding Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 630
0.2 mi·42 sec·Vauxhall Road
3
Turn left onto CR 619
0.6 mi·1 min·Stuyvesant Avenue
4
Continue on CR 619
0.1 mi·27 sec·Chestnut Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward GSP Toll SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto GSP
8.6 mi·11 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on Garden State Parkway
2.3 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
8
Take the exit onto Exit 129
0.3 mi·42 sec·Exit 129
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
39 mi·45 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
25 mi·29 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto NJ 168
0.3 mi·44 sec·Black Horse Pike
18
Turn left onto CR 659
0.4 mi·1 min·West Browning Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn slight left onto CR 753
0.8 mi·2 min·Creek Road
20
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Harding Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
22
Merge onto NJ 42
0.9 mi·1 min·North-South Freeway
23
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.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 45Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, CentertonUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto CR 553
0.4 mi·40 sec·Buck Road
26
Turn left onto CR 538
0.1 mi·12 sec·Elk Road
27
Turn right onto Willow Grove Road
167 ft·4 sec·Willow Grove Road
28
Arrive at destination
Willow Grove Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns to ensure a smoother ride. You won't need to worry about planning for long-distance rest stops, as you can complete the 2-hour and 2-minute drive in one go. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind before you head out, and try to fill up in Union to avoid any mid-route price fluctuations. Because the longest stretch of 64.4 miles occurs on the New Jersey Turnpike, make sure your toll payment method is ready before merging onto the highway. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival in Harding.
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 48.5 miles from Union, NJ, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.4 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harding, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union, 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, NJ
This is one driving day of about 97.1 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Union, 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 64.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 78.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.2 mi into trip|~18m in|Exit 129
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New Yor...
8
12.5 mi into trip|~19m in
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
9
13.1 mi into trip|~20m in
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.10 one way
$32.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.63
$35.26
premium
$4.93
$18.83
$37.66
diesel
$5.61
$21.44
$42.88
Estimated Tolls: $9.67
New Jersey Turnpike
(64.4 mi)$9.01
Garden State Parkway
(10.9 mi)$0.66
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
$16
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.1
0
$10.20
$4.66
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.50
$3.88
EV Truck/SUV
38.8
0
$13.59
$6.21
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Union, NJ
Late night
in Union on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harding, NJ
Late night
in Harding on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bristol, PA
49 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
10 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 2m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 3.3
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...
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a fast-paced, highway-focused experience, as roughly 78% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The drive is defined by its efficiency, with a significant 64.4-mile stretch along the New Jersey Turnpike serving as the backbone of your trip. You will find that the personality of the road remains consistent, favoring high-speed transit over technical turns or local backroads. While you won't encounter major deviations or required stops, the heavy reliance on interstates means you should stay alert for typical high-traffic patterns. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.4 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 12.2 miles in near Exit 129.
Driving Effort10/10
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 97.1 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NJ and Harding, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
Njtp
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Philadelphia
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Woodbridge
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Perth Amboy
12.2 mi in|~18m|via Exit 129
Njtp: New York City
12.5 mi in|~19m
Njtp South: Trenton
13.1 mi in|~20m
Njtp South: Camden
52.8 mi in|~1h 7m|via NJTP
Wilmington
52.8 mi in|~1h 7m|via NJTP
Vineland
81.3 mi in|~1h 43m|via NJ 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 97.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.67 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 Harding, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes — Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (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 Harding, NJ before heading back.
