How far is Union, NJ from Plainsboro, NJ?
The driving distance from Union, NJ to Plainsboro, NJ is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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 53m.
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 in New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Plainsboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union and Plainsboro.
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1
Start on Harding Avenue
74 m · 12 sec · Harding Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
1087 ft · 42 sec · Vauxhall Road
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3
Turn left onto Stuyvesant Avenue
3120 ft · 2 min · Stuyvesant Avenue
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4
Continue on Chestnut Street
708 ft · 28 sec · Chestnut Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward GSP Toll South
1588 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
8.6 mi · 12 min · Garden State Parkway
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7
Continue on Garden State Parkway Southbound
1.3 mi · 2 min · Garden State Parkway Southbound
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Newark, Trenton
1110 ft · 27 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 South: Trenton
1453 ft · 35 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
636 ft · 13 sec
-
11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
12
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 11 min
-
13
Continue straight
634 ft · 10 sec
-
14
Keep slight left
84 m · 4 sec
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15
Keep slight left
118 m · 6 sec
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16
Keep slight left
3.6 mi · 5 min
-
17
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 9 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Monmouth Junction, Kingston
86 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn left
30 m · 7 sec
-
20
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1606 ft · 53 sec · Ridge Road
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21
Turn right onto Schalks Crossing Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Schalks Crossing Road
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22
Turn right onto Plainsboro Road
1669 ft · 1 min · Plainsboro Road
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23
Turn left onto Prospect Avenue
12 m · 2 sec · Prospect Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Prospect Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union and Plainsboro.
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
8.63 mi · 00h 12m
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 and Partly Sunny near Plainsboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union to Plainsboro?
The road trip is about 34.3 miles (55.2 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
Piscataway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.1 miles from Union and 17.1 miles from Plainsboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union and Partly Sunny near Plainsboro.
Stop Ideas Near Piscataway
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 Piscataway.
New Brunswick station
Metropark station
Princeton Junction station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union and Plainsboro. Straight-line distance: 30.77 mi (49.52 km).
#1 Union
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,137 |
| Coordinates | 40.6976000, -74.2632000 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Plainsboro
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 22,709 |
| Coordinates | 40.3334400, -74.6004300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: Plainsboro (-74.60043, 40.33344)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.94 | $9.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $5.56 | $11.13 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $7.24 | $14.47 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.