How far is South Orange, NJ from Union City, NJ?
The driving distance from South Orange, NJ to Union City, NJ is about 16.5 miles (26.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Orange and Union City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Orange and Union City.
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1
Start on the route
758 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Orange Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · South Orange Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Oraton Parkway
669 ft · 13 sec · Oraton Parkway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on 14th Avenue
106 m · 8 sec · 14th Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left toward GSP Toll North
835 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
3031 ft · 47 sec · Garden State Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
1321 ft · 32 sec
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8
Continue on I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges
49 m · 4 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison
1012 ft · 25 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 280 East: Newark, Harrison
1737 ft · 42 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway
4.7 mi · 8 min · Essex Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Tunnel
1.2 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
3.1 mi · 4 min · New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel
1 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
2682 ft · 38 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Kennedy Boulevard
80 m · 6 sec
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17
Continue on 30th Street
1109 ft · 31 sec · 30th Street
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18
Turn left onto John F Kennedy Boulevard
90 m · 17 sec · John F Kennedy Boulevard
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19
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto 47th Street
612 ft · 29 sec · 47th Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto Bergenline Avenue
625 ft · 21 sec · Bergenline Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 45th Street
20 m · 3 sec · 45th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 45th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Orange 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.
Essex Freeway
Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway
4.71 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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving South Orange and Rain Showers Likely near Union City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Orange to Union City?
The road trip is about 16.5 miles (26.5 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Harrison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.9 miles from South Orange and 8.6 miles from Union City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.37 one way or $4.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around South Orange and Rain Showers Likely near Union City.
Stop Ideas Near Harrison
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 Harrison.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Orange and Union City. Straight-line distance: 12.61 mi (20.29 km).
#1 South Orange
Town in Essex County, New Jersey
| Population | 17,295 |
| Coordinates | 40.7489900, -74.2612600 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| 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: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.37 | $4.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.67 | $5.33 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.87 | $5.75 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.47 | $6.94 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.