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

The driving distance from Union City, NJ to Cranford, NJ is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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
20.79 mi
00h 31m
Flight
16.7 mi
26.87 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.7 mi
Kilometers
26.87 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
20.79 mi
Kilometers
33.46 km
Drive Time
00h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cranford
Tue, May 5, 7:23 AM EDT
Return by in Union City
Tue, May 5, 7:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union City
2026-05-05T06:52
Arrive Cranford
Tue, May 5, 7:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:31 AM to 7:31 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Union City
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
Newark
NJ

The most populous city in New Jersey and the center of the Newark metropolitan area.

From Union City
10.4 mi
00h 15m
To Cranford
10.4 mi
00h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 23 mph SW
Destination
Cranford Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
82°F
Tuesday
Using Linden as the closest live forecast in the Union County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 45th Street

    606 ft · 33 sec · 45th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard

    2897 ft · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn slight left

    776 ft · 26 sec

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West

    876 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on NJ 495 West

    114 m · 11 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1.1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Newark

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike

    5.6 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike

    2750 ft · 43 sec · New Jersey Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 78, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport, Holland Tunnel

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 78 West, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport

    1329 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls

    115 m · 5 sec · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    5.2 mi · 6 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward GSP: Garden State Parkway

    1586 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on GSP South

    2433 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Garden State Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 28: Roselle Park, Cranford

    1280 ft · 31 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 28 West: Cranford

    99 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto North Avenue East

    2692 ft · 1 min · North Avenue East

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Forest Avenue

    622 ft · 27 sec · Forest Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Forest Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
101 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New Jersey Turnpike
6.17 mi · 30%
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
5.24 mi · 25%
Garden State Parkway
3.87 mi · 19%
I 78
1.1 mi · 5%
NJ 495 West
0.95 mi · 5%
I 95 South
0.64 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

New Jersey Turnpike

Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike

5.65 mi · 00h 08m

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 31m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.1 mi
16.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newark
00h 15m from Union City
Leave By
7:28 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Union City and Sunny near Cranford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?

Newark is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.4 miles from Union City and 10.4 miles from Cranford.

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

The direct path is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.98 one way or $5.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union City and Sunny near Cranford.

Stop Ideas Near Newark

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 Newark and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 6.4 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 8.5 mi away

#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer

New York , NY
141 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Rating 5.0/5 13 reviews Photographer,Photography service,Photography studio,Wedding photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 1.5 mi away

City Hall Personnel Office

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 5.0/5 5 reviews City government office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Nearby stop 8.5 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 Newark.

RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

1 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

4 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

15 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street
RAIL

Metropark station

23 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Cranford. Straight-line distance: 16.7 mi (26.87 km).

Union City

#1 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Population67,982
Coordinates40.7795500, -74.0237500
Altitude53
CountryUnited States
Cranford

#2 Cranford

Township of New Jersey

Population24,028
Coordinates40.6584400, -74.2995900
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
Start: Union City (-74.02375, 40.77955)
End: Cranford (-74.29959, 40.65844)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 33 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.73 gal
2.78 L · about $2.98
Round trip
$5.97
1.46 gal · 5.56 L
Estimated CO2
6.5 kg one way
Round trip: 13 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $2.98 $5.97
Mid-grade $4.60 $3.36 $6.71
Premium $4.95 $3.62 $7.23
Diesel $5.98 $4.37 $8.73

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

There is no time difference between Union City and Cranford. The current time is 06:52:12.

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.