How far is Highlands, NJ from Union, NJ?
The driving distance from Highlands, NJ to Union, NJ is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in New Jersey
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 Highlands and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands and Union.
-
1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 9 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 27 sec · Bay Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 13 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
-
4
Continue on Linden Avenue
1541 ft · 45 sec · Linden Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto Navesink Avenue
1352 ft · 28 sec · Navesink Avenue
-
6
Continue on Memorial Parkway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Memorial Parkway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward CR 516 West: Highlands
556 ft · 19 sec
-
8
Turn slight right onto Leonardville Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leonardville Road
-
9
Turn right onto Cherry Tree Farm Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Cherry Tree Farm Road
-
10
Turn right
3.8 mi · 6 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward GSP: Clark Street
2550 ft · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Local, All Exits
1071 ft · 14 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
22.6 mi · 30 min · Garden State Parkway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
1526 ft · 39 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
48 m · 3 sec
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
878 ft · 24 sec
-
17
Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue
690 ft · 15 sec · Morris Avenue
-
18
Turn slight right
155 m · 44 sec
-
19
Turn left onto Morris Avenue
2494 ft · 55 sec · Morris Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
646 ft · 29 sec · Harding Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
10 m · 5 sec · Vauxhall Road
-
22
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
74 m · 11 sec · Harding Avenue
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Harding Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands 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.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
22.6 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Highlands 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 Highlands to Union?
The road trip is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
South Amboy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.2 miles from Highlands and 18.3 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.8 miles (39.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.27 one way or $10.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Highlands and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Stop Ideas Near South Amboy
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 South Amboy.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands and Union. Straight-line distance: 24.81 mi (39.93 km).
#1 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| 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: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.93 | $11.87 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.39 | $12.78 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.71 | $15.43 |
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.