How far is Metuchen, NJ from Union City, NJ?

The driving distance from Metuchen, NJ to Union City, NJ is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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
29.47 mi
00h 42m
Flight
24.15 mi
38.87 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Metuchen.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.15 mi
Kilometers
38.87 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.47 mi
Kilometers
47.43 km
Drive Time
00h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union City
Fri, Apr 17, 6:04 AM EDT
Return by in Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 6:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Metuchen
2026-04-17T05:22
Arrive Union City
Fri, Apr 17, 6:04 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:43 AM to 7:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Metuchen
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
Elizabethport
NJ

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

From Metuchen
15 mi
00h 21m
To Union City
14.5 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
81°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Metuchen and Union City.

  1. 1

    Start on Middlesex Avenue

    64 m · 13 sec · Middlesex Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1232 ft · 34 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    45 m · 3 sec

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 287 South, NJ 440 South: Staten Island, Raritan Center, Perth Amboy

    2086 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1.1 km · 56 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike

    2172 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North: New York

    80 m · 6 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North: New York

    1616 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike

    17.4 mi · 22 min · New Jersey Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur

    6.2 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel

    1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2682 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Kennedy Boulevard

    80 m · 6 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on 30th Street

    1109 ft · 31 sec · 30th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto John F Kennedy Boulevard

    90 m · 17 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 47th Street

    612 ft · 29 sec · 47th Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue

    625 ft · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 45th Street

    20 m · 3 sec · 45th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 45th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
71.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New Jersey Turnpike
17.4 mi · 59%
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
6.21 mi · 21%
Main Street
1.64 mi · 6%
NJ 495 East
1.55 mi · 5%
I 287 South
1.08 mi · 4%
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.79 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

New Jersey Turnpike

Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike

17.4 mi · 00h 22m

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 42m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.3 mi
24.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elizabethport
00h 21m from Metuchen
Leave By
7:04 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Metuchen and Chance Rain Showers near Union City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Metuchen to Union City?

The road trip is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?

Elizabethport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15 miles from Metuchen and 14.5 miles from Union City.

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

The direct path is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.25 one way or $8.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Metuchen and Chance Rain Showers near Union City.

Stop Ideas Near Elizabethport

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 Elizabethport and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 9.7 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 11.2 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
CITY HALL LOBBY
Meeting point 10.9 mi away

CITY HALL LOBBY

Hoboken , NJ
94 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Rating 4.8/5 8 reviews City Hall
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 11.6 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 Elizabethport.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

6 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

10 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

15 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

20 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Metuchen and Union City. Straight-line distance: 24.15 mi (38.87 km).

Metuchen

#1 Metuchen

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population14,767
Coordinates40.5431600, -74.3632000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Union City

#2 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Population67,982
Coordinates40.7795500, -74.0237500
Altitude53
CountryUnited States
Start: Middlesex Avenue (-74.363257, 40.543202)
End: 45th Street (-74.023765, 40.779533)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 47 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.04 gal
3.94 L · about $4.25
Round trip
$8.50
2.08 gal · 7.88 L
Estimated CO2
9.2 kg one way
Round trip: 18.5 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.25 $8.50
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.78 $9.57
Premium $4.95 $5.15 $10.30
Diesel $5.98 $6.22 $12.44

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Metuchen and Union City. The current time is 05:22:13.

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.