How far is Union, NJ from Sparta, NJ?

The driving distance from Union, NJ to Sparta, NJ is about 40.4 miles (65 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.38 mi
00h 55m
Flight
30.38 mi
48.89 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.38 mi
Kilometers
48.89 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.38 mi
Kilometers
64.98 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sparta
Thu, Apr 23, 1:10 AM EDT
Return by in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 2:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union
2026-04-23T00:14
Arrive Sparta
Thu, Apr 23, 1:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Union
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Parsippany
NJ

Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States

From Union
20.2 mi
00h 27m
To Sparta
20.2 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Union Weather
NJ
Live fallback forecast
70°F
Thursday
Using Hillside as the closest live forecast in the Union County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union and Sparta.

  1. 1

    Start on Harding Avenue

    74 m · 18 sec · Harding Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Vauxhall Road

    2500 ft · 1 min · Vauxhall Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto GSP Toll North

    32 m · 8 sec

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward GSP Toll North

    1188 ft · 29 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    555 ft · 13 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Garden State Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges

    1321 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 280, CR 508: Newark, The Oranges

    49 m · 4 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 280 East: Orange, West Orange, Newark, Harrison

    1012 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges

    943 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West: The Oranges

    627 ft · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway

    11.5 mi · 14 min · Essex Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 280 West, I 80 West

    2420 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Christopher Columbus Highway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 15 North: Sparta, Jefferson

    1 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Continue on NJ 15 North

    8 mi · 11 min · NJ 15 North

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Business District

    1026 ft · 25 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Business District

    158 m · 13 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Blue Heron Road

    1007 ft · 20 sec · Blue Heron Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Woodport Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Woodport Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Woodport Road

    577 ft · 17 sec · Woodport Road

  22. 22

    Turn left

    82 m · 28 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left

    82 m · 20 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
59.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Essex Freeway
11.5 mi · 29%
Christopher Columbus Highway
11.4 mi · 28%
NJ 15 North
8.96 mi · 22%
Garden State Parkway
4.32 mi · 11%
Woodport Road
1.72 mi · 4%
I 280 West
0.95 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Essex Freeway

Merge slight left onto Essex Freeway

11.5 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10 mi
30.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Parsippany
00h 27m from Union
Leave By
4:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Union and Mostly Sunny near Sparta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Union to Sparta?

The road trip is about 40.4 miles (65 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Parsippany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.2 miles from Union and 20.2 miles from Sparta.

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

The direct path is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union and Mostly Sunny near Sparta.

Stop Ideas Near Parsippany

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 Parsippany and the surrounding midpoint area.
West Orange Town Hall
Scenic stop 10.9 mi away

West Orange Town Hall

West Orange , NJ
66 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
Rating 4.1/5 16 reviews Park
City of East Orange
Meeting point 12.9 mi away

City of East Orange

East Orange , NJ
44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07017
Rating 4.2/5 6 reviews City government office
Clifton Recycle in City Hall
Nearby stop 13.3 mi away

Clifton Recycle in City Hall

Clifton , NJ
Recycle Drive, Clifton, NJ 07013
Rating 4.6/5 44 reviews Recycling drop-off location

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Parsippany.

RAIL

Newark Liberty International Airport

26 mi away
Newark Liberty International Airport
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

26 mi away
1 Raymond Plaza West
RAIL

Metropark station

33 mi away
100 Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
RAIL

Pennsylvania Station

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 30.38 mi (48.89 km).

Union

#1 Union

A city in Union County, New Jersey.

Population67,137
Coordinates40.6976000, -74.2632000
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Sparta

#2 Sparta

Township of New Jersey

Population18,598
Coordinates41.0334300, -74.6384900
Altitude228
CountryUnited States
Start: Union (-74.2632, 40.6976)
End: Sparta (-74.63849, 41.03343)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.42 gal
5.39 L · about $5.80
Round trip
$11.60
2.84 gal · 10.78 L
Estimated CO2
12.6 kg one way
Round trip: 25.2 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.80 $11.60
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.53 $13.06
Premium $4.95 $7.03 $14.07
Diesel $5.98 $8.49 $16.98

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Union and Sparta. The current time is 00:14:30.

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.