How far is Union, NJ from Rutherford, NJ?
The driving distance from Union, NJ to Rutherford, NJ is about 15.5 miles (25 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Town in New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Rutherford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union and Rutherford.
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1
Start on Harding Avenue
74 m · 18 sec · Harding Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Vauxhall Road
2500 ft · 1 min · Vauxhall Road
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3
Turn slight left onto GSP Toll North
32 m · 8 sec
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4
Take the ramp left toward GSP Toll North
1188 ft · 29 sec
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5
Continue straight
555 ft · 13 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
9.9 mi · 14 min · Garden State Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Montclair, Nutley
889 ft · 22 sec
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8
Turn right onto Watchung Avenue
147 m · 15 sec · Watchung Avenue
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Passaic Avenue
2278 ft · 46 sec · East Passaic Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Passaic Avenue
2703 ft · 53 sec · West Passaic Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Darling Avenue
125 m · 7 sec · Darling Avenue
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12
Continue on Bloomfield Avenue
867 ft · 20 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
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13
Take the ramp right
661 ft · 18 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto State Route 3
1.7 mi · 2 min · State Route 3
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 21 North: Paterson, Rutherford, Lyndhurst
1430 ft · 35 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1173 ft · 29 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Rutherford, Lyndhurst
857 ft · 21 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Rutherford Avenue
56 m · 7 sec · Rutherford Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Park Avenue
1.4 km · 3 min · Park Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union and Rutherford.
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
9.88 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Union and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rutherford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union to Rutherford?
The road trip is about 15.5 miles (25 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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?
Glen Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.8 miles from Union and 7.8 miles from Rutherford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 7:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.25 one way or $4.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Union and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rutherford.
Stop Ideas Near Glen Ridge
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 Glen Ridge.
Pennsylvania Station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union and Rutherford. Straight-line distance: 12.1 mi (19.47 km).
#1 Union
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,137 |
| Coordinates | 40.6976000, -74.2632000 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rutherford
Borough in New Jersey, United States
| Population | 18,209 |
| Coordinates | 40.8264900, -74.1068100 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherford (-74.10681, 40.82649)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 25 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.25 | $4.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.53 | $5.06 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.72 | $5.45 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.29 | $6.58 |
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.