How far is Plainsboro, NJ from Union, NJ?
The driving distance from Plainsboro, NJ to Union, NJ is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Township in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainsboro and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainsboro and Union.
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1
Start on Prospect Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · Prospect Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Plainsboro Road
1669 ft · 1 min · Plainsboro Road
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3
Turn left onto Schalks Crossing Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Schalks Crossing Road
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4
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1458 ft · 45 sec · Ridge Road
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5
Turn right
9.7 mi · 14 min
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6
Keep slight left
603 ft · 9 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Newark|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick|Newark, Camden, New Brunswick
154 m · 8 sec
-
8
Keep slight left
112 m · 6 sec
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9
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
10
Continue straight
1.6 km · 1 min
-
11
Continue straight
969 ft · 17 sec
-
12
Continue straight
1162 ft · 20 sec
-
13
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 9 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
2305 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
10.5 mi · 14 min · Garden State Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 22, NJ 82: Hillside
1526 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight left
48 m · 3 sec
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 82: Morris Avenue, Kean University, Elizabeth
878 ft · 24 sec
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19
Turn slight right onto Morris Avenue
690 ft · 15 sec · Morris Avenue
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20
Turn slight right
155 m · 44 sec
-
21
Turn left onto Morris Avenue
2494 ft · 55 sec · Morris Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Harding Avenue
646 ft · 29 sec · Harding Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
10 m · 5 sec · Vauxhall Road
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24
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
74 m · 11 sec · Harding Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Harding Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainsboro and Union.
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.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
10.5 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Plainsboro 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 Plainsboro to Union?
The road trip is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Piscataway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Plainsboro and 21.6 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.64 one way or $11.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Plainsboro and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Piscataway
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 Piscataway.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainsboro and Union. Straight-line distance: 30.77 mi (49.52 km).
#1 Plainsboro
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 22,709 |
| Coordinates | 40.3334400, -74.6004300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.64 | $11.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.35 | $12.69 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.84 | $13.67 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.25 | $16.50 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.