How far is Watchung, NJ from Union, NJ?
The driving distance from Watchung, NJ to Union, NJ is about 15.2 miles (24.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.7 miles (17.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 37m 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 18m.
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.
City in Union County, New Jersey, United States
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 Watchung and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watchung and Union.
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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
2.1 mi · 2 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 124 East: Maplewood
1775 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Springfield Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Springfield Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Vauxhall Road
2 mi · 5 min · Vauxhall Road
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11
Turn left onto Harding Avenue
74 m · 11 sec · Harding Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Harding Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watchung and Union.
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
Merge slight left onto Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
7.01 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Watchung and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watchung to Union?
The road trip is about 15.2 miles (24.5 km) and usually takes 00h 18m 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?
Summit is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.8 miles from Watchung and 8.4 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.7 miles (17.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.21 one way or $4.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watchung and Mostly Sunny near Union.
Stop Ideas Near Summit
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
West Orange Town Hall
City of Elizabeth
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Summit.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
Metropark station
New Brunswick station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watchung and Union. Straight-line distance: 10.67 mi (17.17 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 Union
A city in Union County, New Jersey.
| Population | 67,137 |
| Coordinates | 40.6976000, -74.2632000 |
| Altitude | 30 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harding Avenue (-74.26348, 40.697581)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 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 | $2.21 | $4.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.48 | $4.97 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.68 | $5.35 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.