How far is Cape May, NJ from Union City, NJ?

The driving distance from Cape May, NJ to Union City, NJ is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.36 mi
02h 41m
Flight
135.76 mi
218.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape May.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.76 mi
Kilometers
218.48 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.36 mi
Kilometers
251.64 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union City
Tue, Jun 2, 11:28 AM EDT
Return by in Cape May
Tue, Jun 2, 2:09 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape May
2026-06-02T08:46
Arrive Union City
Tue, Jun 2, 11:28 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape May
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Forked River
NJ

Census designated place in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States

From Cape May
78 mi
01h 20m
To Union City
78.4 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Cape May Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
74°F
Tuesday
Using Cape May Court House as the closest live forecast in the Cape May County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
53°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cape May and Union City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape May and Union City.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    25 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto New York Avenue

    32 m · 7 sec · New York Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Reading Avenue

    1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    99 m · 20 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Street

    92 m · 15 sec · East Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1088 ft · 24 sec · Washington Street

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Washington Street

    31 m · 2 sec · Washington Street

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Lafayette Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Lafayette Street

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Garden State Parkway

    19.1 mi · 22 min · Garden State Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left

    2408 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Garden State Parkway

    33.8 mi · 39 min · Garden State Parkway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway

    50.2 mi · 59 min · Garden State Parkway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    2399 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Garden State Parkway

    25.1 mi · 31 min · Garden State Parkway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton

    2199 ft · 48 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    655 ft · 16 sec

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    2500 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City

    673 ft · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City

    2694 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike

    14 mi · 18 min · New Jersey Turnpike

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur

    6.2 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel

    1 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    2682 ft · 38 sec

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward Kennedy Boulevard

    80 m · 6 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on 30th Street

    1109 ft · 31 sec · 30th Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto John F Kennedy Boulevard

    90 m · 17 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard

  27. 27

    Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard

  28. 28

    Turn right onto 47th Street

    612 ft · 29 sec · 47th Street

  29. 29

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue

    625 ft · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right onto 45th Street

    20 m · 3 sec · 45th Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 45th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape May and Union City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
129 mi · 83%
New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi · 9%
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
6.21 mi · 4%
NJ 495 East
1.55 mi · 1%
I 95
1.01 mi · 1%
Lafayette Street
0.99 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway

50.2 mi · 00h 59m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.5 mi
135.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Forked River
01h 20m from Cape May
Leave By
1:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cape May and Clear near Union City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape May to Union City?

The road trip is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Forked River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Cape May and 78.4 miles from Union City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 135.8 miles (218.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.55 one way or $45.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape May and Clear near Union City.

Stop Ideas Near Forked River

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Forked River, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Forked River.

OTHER

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

52 mi away
South Philadelphia Ave & Atlantic Ave
OTHER

Absecon

53 mi away
Shore Road and Ohio Ave
OTHER

Hammonton, New Jersey

57 mi away
Egg Harbor Rd & Line St.
OTHER

Atlantic City Rail Terminal

57 mi away
1 Atlantic City Expressway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape May and Union City. Straight-line distance: 135.76 mi (218.48 km).

Cape May

#1 Cape May

City in New Jersey

Population3,404
Coordinates38.9351100, -74.9060100
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Union City

#2 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Population67,982
Coordinates40.7795500, -74.0237500
Altitude53
CountryUnited States
Start: New York Avenue (-74.906129, 38.935324)
End: 45th Street (-74.023765, 40.779533)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.52 gal
20.89 L · about $22.55
Round trip
$45.11
11.04 gal · 41.78 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.1 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $22.55 $45.11
Mid-grade $4.60 $25.39 $50.77
Premium $4.95 $27.35 $54.69
Diesel $5.98 $33.01 $66.02

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New Jersey · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape May and Union City. The current time is 08:46:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.