Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
23m
Distance
17.1 mi
27 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Camden, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Smyrna, DE
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel between Camden and Smyrna, Delaware, you are looking at a quick, 17.1-mile journey that typically takes about 23 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You can expect to spend roughly $3 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a very economical transit within the Northeast region. Because the trip is so short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to head out whenever it suits your plans. Whether you are commuting or just crossing the state for an errand, this straightforward connection between the two towns is efficient and easy to navigate.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| Puncheon Run Connector | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South Dupont Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Camden Wyoming Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, DE and Smyrna, DE.
Start on DE 10
Turn left onto US 13
Take the exit
Continue on Puncheon Run Connector
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 13
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn right onto East South Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 17.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward US 13: South Smyrna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto East South Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.83 one way
$5.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.10 | $6.21 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.32 | $6.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Camden on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Your route utilizes a combination of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the Puncheon Run Connector, and South Dupont Highway to make your way north. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 10.5 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Since the highway share for this trip is 0%, the experience focuses more on local roads than high-speed motorway cruising. Be prepared to navigate various turns as you transition between these key thoroughfares throughout the 17.1-mile span.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 23m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 6.7 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Camden, DE to Smyrna, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 17.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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