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

The driving distance from Union City, NJ to Metuchen, NJ is about 27.2 miles (43.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m 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
27.17 mi
00h 44m
Flight
24.15 mi
38.87 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.15 mi
Kilometers
38.87 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.17 mi
Kilometers
43.72 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 9:06 AM EDT
Return by in Union City
Fri, Apr 17, 9:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union City
2026-04-17T08:22
Arrive Metuchen
Fri, Apr 17, 9:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:02 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Elizabeth
NJ

The second most populous city in Union County, New Jersey.

From Union City
13.5 mi
00h 22m
To Metuchen
13.6 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NW
Destination
82°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    579 ft · 10 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Jersey City

    1051 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Tonnelle Avenue

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Tonnelle Avenue

    564 ft · 9 sec · Tonnelle Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 South: Newark

    1014 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Pulaski Skyway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Pulaski Skyway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on US 1-9 Local South: Wilson Avenue, Port Newark

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward US 1 South, US 9 South: Newark Liberty International Airport, Main Terminals

    1196 ft · 20 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Spring Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Spring Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Carlton Street

    1183 ft · 19 sec · Carlton Street

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    3.5 mi · 7 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    1387 ft · 28 sec

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    1 mi · 2 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right

    661 ft · 14 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Grandview Avenue

    1624 ft · 40 sec · Grandview Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Woodbridge Avenue

    1.3 km · 3 min · Woodbridge Avenue

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street

    1442 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Middlesex Avenue

    64 m · 7 sec · Middlesex Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Middlesex Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
99.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Carlton Street
10 mi · 37%
Pulaski Skyway
3.28 mi · 12%
US 1 South
3.15 mi · 12%
US 1-9 Local South
2.86 mi · 11%
Tonnelle Avenue
2.85 mi · 10%
Spring Street
2.2 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Carlton Street

Continue straight

3.54 mi · 00h 07m

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 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3 mi
24.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elizabeth
00h 22m from Union City
Leave By
7:02 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Union City and Chance Rain Showers near Metuchen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 27.2 miles (43.7 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?

Elizabeth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Union City and 13.6 miles from Metuchen.

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

The direct path is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3 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 7:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.92 one way or $7.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Elizabeth

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 Elizabeth and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Parking Lot
Scenic stop 8.7 mi away

City Hall Parking Lot

Jersey City , NJ
280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Parking lot
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
Practical stop 10.4 mi away

The Yard: City Hall Park NYC

New York , NY
116 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038
Rating 4.8/5 45 reviews Office space rental agency,Business to business service,Conference center,Coworking space,Event venue,Executive suite rental agency,Virtual office rental
City Hall Personnel Office
Meeting point 4.1 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 10.7 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 Elizabeth.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

5 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

9 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

15 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

21 mi away
8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Metuchen. Straight-line distance: 24.15 mi (38.87 km).

Union City

#1 Union City

The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

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

#2 Metuchen

Borough in New Jersey, United States

Population14,767
Coordinates40.5431600, -74.3632000
Altitude28
CountryUnited States
Start: Union City (-74.02375, 40.77955)
End: Metuchen (-74.3632, 40.54316)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 44 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.96 gal
3.63 L · about $3.92
Round trip
$7.85
1.92 gal · 7.26 L
Estimated CO2
8.5 kg one way
Round trip: 17.1 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $3.92 $7.85
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.42 $8.83
Premium $4.95 $4.76 $9.51
Diesel $5.98 $5.74 $11.48

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Union City and Metuchen. The current time is 08:22:37.

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.