How far is Scotch Plains, NJ from Union City, NJ?
The driving distance from Scotch Plains, NJ to Union City, NJ is about 25 miles (40.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21 miles (33.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scotch Plains and Union City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scotch Plains and Union City.
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1
Start on Westfield Avenue
23 m · 6 sec · Westfield Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Westfield Road
2528 ft · 2 min · Westfield Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
1.3 km · 1 min
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4
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 9 min
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5
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight left toward GSP Toll North: Paterson
1513 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
1.4 km · 1 min · Garden State Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right
553 ft · 14 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 78 East: Newark Airport, Newark
1435 ft · 36 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City
2150 ft · 34 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
1.1 km · 56 sec · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward NJTP, I 95, US 1-9, NJ 21, US 22: Port Newark
1328 ft · 21 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
1 mi · 1 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 95/NJTP North Tolls
589 ft · 7 sec · I 95/NJTP North Tolls
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16
Keep straight to continue on I 95 North, NJTP North
821 ft · 31 sec
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17
Continue on I 95 North, NJTP North
1.2 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 95, I 80, NJ 3: Lincoln Tunnel
2444 ft · 38 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
5.6 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
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20
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
1 mi · 2 min
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21
Continue straight
2682 ft · 38 sec
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Kennedy Boulevard
80 m · 6 sec
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23
Continue on 30th Street
1109 ft · 31 sec · 30th Street
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24
Turn left onto John F Kennedy Boulevard
90 m · 17 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard
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25
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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26
Turn right onto 47th Street
612 ft · 29 sec · 47th Street
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27
At the end of the road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
625 ft · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue
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28
Turn right onto 45th Street
20 m · 3 sec · 45th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 45th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scotch Plains and Union City.
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.
New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
5.64 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Scotch Plains and Mostly Sunny near Union City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scotch Plains to Union City?
The road trip is about 25 miles (40.2 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.5 miles from Scotch Plains and 12.5 miles from Union City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21 miles (33.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.60 one way or $7.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scotch Plains and Mostly Sunny near Union City.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillside.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scotch Plains and Union City. Straight-line distance: 21 mi (33.8 km).
#1 Scotch Plains
Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 24,138 |
| Coordinates | 40.6553800, -74.3898700 |
| Altitude | 50 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.60 | $7.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.05 | $8.09 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.36 | $8.72 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.26 | $10.52 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.