How far is Carlstadt, NJ from Union, NJ?
The driving distance from Carlstadt, NJ to Union, NJ is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlstadt and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlstadt and Union.
-
1
Start on 3rd Street
49 m · 12 sec · 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Central Avenue
112 m · 18 sec · Central Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Hackensack Street
1547 ft · 58 sec · Hackensack Street
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4
Turn left onto Hoboken Road
1358 ft · 34 sec · Hoboken Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
92 m · 8 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 3 West: Newark
1298 ft · 32 sec
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8
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 58 sec
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 21: Paterson, Newark
2212 ft · 54 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 21 North, NJ 21 South
590 ft · 14 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 21 South: Newark
1313 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left
6 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 280 East, I 280 West: Harrison, Jersey City, The Oranges
15 m · 1 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges
1268 ft · 31 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Essex Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward GSP: Oraton Parkway, Clinton Street, East Orange
1099 ft · 27 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on GSP: Garden State Parkway, Oraton Parkway
1494 ft · 37 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on GSP South
671 ft · 16 sec
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19
Continue straight
1644 ft · 41 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Garden State Parkway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Vauxhall Road
1129 ft · 31 sec
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22
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
2017 ft · 1 min · Vauxhall Road
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23
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
74 m · 11 sec · Harding Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Harding Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlstadt and Union.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
NJ 21 South
Merge slight left
6.05 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Carlstadt and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlstadt to Union?
The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kearny is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9 miles from Carlstadt and 9.5 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.66 one way or $5.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlstadt and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Kearny
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kearny.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlstadt and Union. Straight-line distance: 13.37 mi (21.52 km).
#1 Carlstadt
Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey
| Population | 6,109 |
| Coordinates | 40.8403800, -74.0907000 |
| Altitude | 55 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Union
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,137 |
| Coordinates | 40.6976000, -74.2632000 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harding Avenue (-74.26348, 40.697581)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.66 | $5.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.99 | $5.98 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.22 | $6.44 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.89 | $7.77 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.