How far is Union City, NJ from Princeton, NJ?
The driving distance from Union City, NJ to Princeton, NJ is about 50 miles (80.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.7 miles (71.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 11m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union City and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City and Princeton.
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1
Start on 45th Street
606 ft · 33 sec · 45th Street
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2
Turn left onto John F. Kennedy Boulevard
2897 ft · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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3
Turn slight left
776 ft · 26 sec
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward NJ 495 West, NJTP West
876 ft · 22 sec
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5
Continue on NJ 495 West
114 m · 11 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Newark
1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto New Jersey Turnpike
5.6 mi · 8 min · New Jersey Turnpike
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9
Keep slight left to continue on New Jersey Turnpike
22.7 mi · 28 min · New Jersey Turnpike
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 18 East, US 1 East: New Brunswick
1.1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
1148 ft · 28 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
99 m · 8 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
2284 ft · 51 sec · State Route 18
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South: Princeton, Trenton
1887 ft · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
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16
Continue straight
634 ft · 10 sec
-
17
Keep slight left
84 m · 4 sec
-
18
Keep slight left
118 m · 6 sec
-
19
Keep slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
20
Continue straight
9.5 mi · 14 min
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Washington Road
17 m · 1 sec · Washington Road
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22
Exit the rotary onto Washington Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Washington Road
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23
Turn left onto Nassau Street
714 ft · 24 sec · Nassau Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nassau Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union City and Princeton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Union City and Mostly Sunny near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union City to Princeton?
The road trip is about 50 miles (80.5 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Fords is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Union City and 25 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.7 miles (71.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.19 one way or $14.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Union City and Mostly Sunny near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Fords
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fords.
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 44.7 mi (71.94 km).
#1 Union City
The most populous city in Hudson County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,982 |
| Coordinates | 40.7795500, -74.0237500 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 30,879 |
| Coordinates | 40.3487200, -74.6590500 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-74.65905, 40.34872)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 80 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.09 | $16.19 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.72 | $17.44 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.52 | $21.05 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.