How far is Union City, NJ from South Plainfield, NJ?
The driving distance from Union City, NJ to South Plainfield, NJ is about 30.3 miles (48.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 00h 48m.
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.
Township of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union City and South Plainfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City and South Plainfield.
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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 right to continue on New Jersey Turnpike
2750 ft · 43 sec · New Jersey Turnpike
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 78, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport, Holland Tunnel
1.1 mi · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 78 West, US 1, US 9: Newark Airport
1329 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls
115 m · 5 sec · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway Tolls
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward GSP: Garden State Parkway
1586 ft · 39 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on GSP South
2433 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
6.4 mi · 9 min · Garden State Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Clark, Westfield
727 ft · 18 sec
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18
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1842 ft · 60 sec · Central Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Raritan Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Raritan Road
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20
Continue on Oak Ridge Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Oak Ridge Road
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21
Continue on Feather Bed Lane
2815 ft · 2 min · Feather Bed Lane
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto Inman Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Inman Avenue
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Raritan Road
1356 ft · 29 sec · Old Raritan Road
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24
Continue on Maple Street
1037 ft · 21 sec · Maple Street
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25
Continue on Maple Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Maple Avenue
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26
Turn left onto Front Street
1210 ft · 37 sec · Front Street
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27
Turn right onto South Plainfield Avenue
37 m · 5 sec · South Plainfield Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Plainfield Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union City and South Plainfield.
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.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
6.39 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Union City and Mostly Sunny near South Plainfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union City to South Plainfield?
The road trip is about 30.3 miles (48.7 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from Union City and 15.2 miles from South Plainfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.37 one way or $8.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union City and Mostly Sunny near South Plainfield.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
#Artlook New York City Hall Wedding Photographer
City Hall Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillside.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union City and South Plainfield. Straight-line distance: 24.58 mi (39.56 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 South Plainfield
Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 23,965 |
| Coordinates | 40.5792700, -74.4115400 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Plainfield (-74.41154, 40.57927)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.37 | $8.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.92 | $9.84 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.40 | $12.80 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.