How far is Highlands, NJ from Union City, NJ?
The driving distance from Highlands, NJ to Union City, NJ is about 48.2 miles (77.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m 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 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands and Union City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands and Union City.
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1
Start on Sea Drift Avenue
24 m · 11 sec · Sea Drift Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Bay Avenue
788 ft · 27 sec · Bay Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Waterwitch Avenue
149 m · 13 sec · Waterwitch Avenue
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4
Continue on Linden Avenue
1541 ft · 45 sec · Linden Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Navesink Avenue
1352 ft · 28 sec · Navesink Avenue
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6
Continue on Memorial Parkway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Memorial Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CR 516 West: Highlands
556 ft · 19 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto Leonardville Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Leonardville Road
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9
Turn right onto Cherry Tree Farm Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Cherry Tree Farm Road
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10
Turn right
3.8 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward GSP: Clark Street
2550 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Local, All Exits
1071 ft · 14 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
10.6 mi · 14 min · Garden State Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Trenton
2199 ft · 48 sec
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15
Keep slight right
655 ft · 16 sec
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16
Continue straight
2500 ft · 1 min
-
17
Continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
673 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York City
2694 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
14 mi · 18 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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20
Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
6.2 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
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21
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
1 mi · 2 min
-
22
Continue straight
2682 ft · 38 sec
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Kennedy Boulevard
80 m · 6 sec
-
24
Continue on 30th Street
1109 ft · 31 sec · 30th Street
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25
Turn left onto John F Kennedy Boulevard
90 m · 17 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard
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26
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
-
27
Turn right onto 47th Street
612 ft · 29 sec · 47th Street
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
625 ft · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue
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29
Turn right onto 45th Street
20 m · 3 sec · 45th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 45th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands and Union City.
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
14 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Highlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Union City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highlands to Union City?
The road trip is about 48.2 miles (77.5 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
Woodbridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Highlands and 24.2 miles from Union City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26 miles (41.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.95 one way or $13.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Highlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Union City.
Stop Ideas Near Woodbridge
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 Woodbridge.
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 City. Straight-line distance: 26.02 mi (41.88 km).
#1 Highlands
Borough of New Jersey
| Population | 4,693 |
| Coordinates | 40.4037200, -73.9915300 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Union City
The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,982 |
| Coordinates | 40.7795500, -74.0237500 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: 45th Street (-74.023765, 40.779533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $6.95 | $13.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.82 | $15.64 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.17 | $20.33 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.