How far is Cranbury, NJ from Union, NJ?
The driving distance from Cranbury, NJ to Union, NJ is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m 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 40m.
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.
Borough in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cranbury and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cranbury and Union.
-
1
Start on Plainsboro Road
952 ft · 29 sec · Plainsboro Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Maplewood Avenue
72 m · 7 sec · Maplewood Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Half Acre Road
87 m · 10 sec · Half Acre Road
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4
Turn left
603 ft · 17 sec
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5
Turn slight right onto South River Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · South River Road
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6
Continue on Cranbury-South River Road
2797 ft · 60 sec · Cranbury-South River Road
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7
Turn right onto Forsgate Drive
48 m · 3 sec · Forsgate Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
3054 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95, NJTP North: New York City
2247 ft · 55 sec
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10
Keep slight right
2858 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
16.6 mi · 19 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 9, GSP: Garden State Parkway, Woodbridge
2656 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on GSP North: Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
11.2 mi · 16 min · Garden State Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
1526 ft · 39 sec
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16
Merge slight left
48 m · 3 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
878 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue
690 ft · 15 sec · Morris Avenue
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19
Turn slight right
155 m · 44 sec
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20
Turn left onto Morris Avenue
2494 ft · 55 sec · Morris Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
646 ft · 29 sec · Harding Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
10 m · 5 sec · Vauxhall Road
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23
Turn left 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 Cranbury and Union.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
New Jersey Turnpike
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
16.6 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Cranbury and Chance Rain Showers near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cranbury to Union?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Metuchen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Cranbury and 17.6 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.07 one way or $10.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Cranbury and Chance Rain Showers near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Metuchen
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Metuchen.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cranbury and Union. Straight-line distance: 29.45 mi (47.4 km).
#1 Cranbury
Township of New Jersey
| Population | 4,153 |
| Coordinates | 40.3162200, -74.5137600 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| 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: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.70 | $11.41 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.42 | $14.83 |
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.