How far is Watchung, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance from Watchung, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.5 miles (33 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
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.
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watchung and Jersey City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watchung and Jersey City.
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1
Start on the route
95 m · 28 sec
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2
Turn left
19 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn left onto Valley Road
33 m · 6 sec · Valley Road
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4
Turn sharp right onto Hillcrest Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Hillcrest Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 78 East: Newark
2132 ft · 52 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7 mi · 8 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
9.9 mi · 12 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 North: Frontage Road
1330 ft · 45 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 1-9 North
1182 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 1-9 Truck North, I 95, NJTP: Jersey City, New Jersey Turnpike
1452 ft · 25 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 1, US 9 North
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward US 1 Truck North, US 9 Truck North
1.1 km · 2 min
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14
Turn right onto Duncan Avenue
2210 ft · 52 sec · Duncan Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Olean Avenue
96 m · 14 sec · Olean Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Olean Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watchung and Jersey City.
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.
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
9.87 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Watchung and Rain Showers near Jersey City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watchung to Jersey City?
The road trip is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Union is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Watchung and 12.1 miles from Jersey City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.5 miles (33 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.47 one way or $6.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Watchung and Rain Showers near Jersey City.
Stop Ideas Near Union
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 Union.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watchung and Jersey City. Straight-line distance: 20.53 mi (33.04 km).
#1 Watchung
Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 6,007 |
| Coordinates | 40.6378800, -74.4509900 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jersey City
The second most populous city in New Jersey and the center of the Jersey City metropolitan area.
| Population | 262,075 |
| Coordinates | 40.7281600, -74.0776400 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Olean Avenue (-74.077772, 40.728219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.47 | $6.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.08 | $10.17 |
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 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.