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

The driving distance from Union City, NJ to Hillsborough, NJ is about 51 miles (82.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
51.01 mi
01h 07m
Flight
37.88 mi
60.97 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.88 mi
Kilometers
60.97 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.01 mi
Kilometers
82.1 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 01h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hillsborough
Thu, Apr 23, 12:00 AM EDT
Return by in Union City
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union City
2026-04-22T22:53
Arrive Hillsborough
Thu, Apr 23, 12:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Union City
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Scotch Plains
NJ

Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States

From Union City
25.5 mi
00h 33m
To Hillsborough
25.5 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SE
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    9.1 mi · 11 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 78 West: Clinton

    885 ft · 12 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 287: Morristown, Somerville

    2521 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 287 South, US 202 South, US 206 South: Somerville

    1 mi · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight right

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward US 202 South, US 206 South: Somerville, Flemington

    1 km · 43 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit straight toward US 206 South, NJ 28: Somerville, Princeton

    1277 ft · 37 sec

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Somerville Circle

    525 ft · 7 sec

  23. 23

    Exit the rotary

    7.2 mi · 11 min

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Hillsborough Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Hillsborough Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    17 m · 1 sec · Willow Road

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Willow Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
6 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
51 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
26.9 mi · 53%
Somerville Circle
7.25 mi · 14%
New Jersey Turnpike
6.17 mi · 12%
I 287 South
3.35 mi · 7%
US 202 South
1.64 mi · 3%
I 78
1.1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

17.8 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.1 mi
37.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Scotch Plains
00h 33m from Union City
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Union City and Chance Rain Showers near Hillsborough.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 51 miles (82.1 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Scotch Plains is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.5 miles from Union City and 25.5 miles from Hillsborough.

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

The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Scotch Plains

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 Scotch Plains and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 12.3 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
City Hall - City of Newark
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

City Hall - City of Newark

Newark , NJ
920 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Rating 3.9/5 71 reviews City Hall
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Nearby stop 14.7 mi away

Bloomfield Municipal Building

Bloomfield , NJ
1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Rating 4.4/5 17 reviews Municipal hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Scotch Plains.

RAIL

Metropark station

11 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

18 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

New Brunswick station

18 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

21 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Hillsborough. Straight-line distance: 37.88 mi (60.97 km).

Union City

#1 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Hillsborough

Township in Somerset county, New Jersey

Population40,105
Coordinates40.4776000, -74.6268200
Altitude26
CountryUnited States
Start: Union City (-74.02375, 40.77955)
End: Hillsborough (-74.62682, 40.4776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.8 gal
6.81 L · about $7.35
Round trip
$14.71
3.6 gal · 13.62 L
Estimated CO2
16 kg one way
Round trip: 32 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.35 $14.71
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.28 $16.56
Premium $4.95 $8.92 $17.83
Diesel $5.98 $10.76 $21.53

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Union City and Hillsborough. The current time is 22:53:23.

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.