How far is Cranford, NJ from Union, NJ?

The driving distance from Cranford, NJ to Union, NJ is about 4.5 miles (7.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 3.3 miles (5.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
4.55 mi
00h 09m
Flight
3.31 mi
5.33 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cranford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
3.31 mi
Kilometers
5.33 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
4.55 mi
Kilometers
7.32 km
Drive Time
00h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Fri, Apr 24, 6:40 AM EDT
Return by in Cranford
Fri, Apr 24, 6:49 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cranford
2026-04-24T06:31
Arrive Union
Fri, Apr 24, 6:40 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:09 AM to 7:09 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cranford
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Kenilworth
NJ

Town in New Jersey

From Cranford
2.4 mi
00h 04m
To Union
2.2 mi
00h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Cranford Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
66°F
Friday
Using Linden as the closest live forecast in the Union County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
Union Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
67°F
Friday
Using Hillside as the closest live forecast in the Union County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cranford and Union.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cranford and Union.

  1. 1

    Start on Forest Avenue

    622 ft · 32 sec · Forest Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Avenue East

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Avenue East

  3. 3

    Turn left onto GSP Toll North

    1883 ft · 48 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside

    1526 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    48 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth

    878 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue

    690 ft · 15 sec · Morris Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn slight right

    155 m · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Morris Avenue

    2494 ft · 55 sec · Morris Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Harding Avenue

    646 ft · 29 sec · Harding Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Vauxhall Road

    10 m · 5 sec · Vauxhall Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Harding Avenue

    74 m · 11 sec · Harding Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Harding Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cranford and Union.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
304.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Garden State Parkway
2.21 mi · 49%
North Avenue East
0.7 mi · 15%
Morris Avenue
0.6 mi · 13%
GSP Toll North
0.36 mi · 8%
US 22
0.32 mi · 7%
Harding Avenue
0.17 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Garden State Parkway

Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

2.21 mi · 00h 03m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 09m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.2 mi
3.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kenilworth
00h 04m from Cranford
Leave By
8:12 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cranford 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 Cranford to Union?

The road trip is about 4.5 miles (7.3 km) and usually takes 00h 09m 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?

Kenilworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.4 miles from Cranford and 2.2 miles from Union.

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

The direct path is about 3.3 miles (5.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.2 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 8:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.65 one way or $1.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cranford and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Stop Ideas Near Kenilworth

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Kenilworth and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 12.6 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
Practical stop 14.4 mi away

The Yard: City Hall Park NYC

New York , NY
116 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038
Rating 4.8/5 45 reviews Office space rental agency,Business to business service,Conference center,Coworking space,Event venue,Executive suite rental agency,Virtual office rental
The City of Rahway
Meeting point 5.2 mi away

The City of Rahway

Rahway , NJ
1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City Hall
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 14.7 mi away

Diamond City Hall Photography

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 53 reviews Wedding photographer

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kenilworth.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

9 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

12 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

12 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

New Brunswick station

24 mi away
French and Albany Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cranford and Union. Straight-line distance: 3.31 mi (5.33 km).

Cranford

#1 Cranford

Township of New Jersey

Population24,028
Coordinates40.6584400, -74.2995900
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
Union

#2 Union

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

Population67,137
Coordinates40.6976000, -74.2632000
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Start: Forest Avenue (-74.299879, 40.658248)
End: Harding Avenue (-74.26348, 40.697581)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 7 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.16 gal
0.61 L · about $0.65
Round trip
$1.31
0.32 gal · 1.22 L
Estimated CO2
1.4 kg one way
Round trip: 2.8 kg / 6 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $0.65 $1.31
Mid-grade $4.60 $0.74 $1.47
Premium $4.95 $0.79 $1.59
Diesel $5.98 $0.96 $1.91

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Cranford and Union. The current time is 06:31:38.

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.