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

The driving distance from Union City, NJ to Lawrence, NJ is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 49 miles (78.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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
53.59 mi
01h 16m
Flight
49.06 mi
78.95 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
49.06 mi
Kilometers
78.95 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.59 mi
Kilometers
86.25 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM EDT
Return by in Union City
Thu, Apr 23, 5:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union City
2026-04-23T02:36
Arrive Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:56 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
Metuchen
NJ

Borough in New Jersey, United States

From Union City
26.8 mi
00h 38m
To Lawrence
26.8 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on New Jersey Turnpike

    22.7 mi · 28 min · New Jersey Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick

    1.1 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University

    1148 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University

    99 m · 8 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    2284 ft · 51 sec · State Route 18

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South: Princeton, Trenton

    1887 ft · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    634 ft · 10 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    84 m · 4 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    118 m · 6 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    12.1 mi · 17 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right

    802 ft · 13 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left

    1434 ft · 22 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left

    1083 ft · 17 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on CR 533 South: Quaker Bridge Road

    1027 ft · 44 sec

  25. 25

    Turn slight right onto Quaker Bridge Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Quaker Bridge Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Lawrence Station Road

    1 km · 1 min · Lawrence Station Road

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Fountayne Boulevard

    44 m · 10 sec · Fountayne Boulevard

  28. 28

    Continue on Fountayne Boulevard

    36 m · 11 sec · Fountayne Boulevard

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fountayne Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
54.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New Jersey Turnpike
28.3 mi · 53%
US 1 South
19.3 mi · 36%
Quaker Bridge Road
1.28 mi · 2%
NJ 495 West
0.95 mi · 2%
NJ 18 East
0.71 mi · 1%
I 95 South
0.64 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

New Jersey Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on New Jersey Turnpike

22.7 mi · 00h 28m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
49 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Metuchen
00h 38m from Union City
Leave By
3:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Union City and Mostly Sunny near Lawrence.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Metuchen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.8 miles from Union City and 26.8 miles from Lawrence.

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

The direct path is about 49 miles (78.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 3:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.72 one way or $15.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Metuchen

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Metuchen, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Metuchen.

RAIL

Metropark station

4 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

New Brunswick station

9 mi away
French and Albany Streets
RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

23 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

27 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Lawrence. Straight-line distance: 49.06 mi (78.95 km).

Union City

#1 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Lawrence

Township in Mercer County, New Jersey

Population32,595
Coordinates40.2740000, -74.6796000
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
Start: Union City (-74.02375, 40.77955)
End: Lawrence (-74.6796, 40.274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 86 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.89 gal
7.16 L · about $7.72
Round trip
$15.45
3.78 gal · 14.32 L
Estimated CO2
16.8 kg one way
Round trip: 33.6 kg / 74 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $7.72 $15.45
Mid-grade $4.60 $8.69 $17.38
Premium $4.95 $9.36 $18.73
Diesel $5.98 $11.30 $22.60

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 Lawrence. The current time is 02:36:52.

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.