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Trip from Camden, NJ to Cape May, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

79.5 mi

128 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Camden County, New Jersey, United States

Camden, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

city in New Jersey, United States

Cape May, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to trade the urban landscape of Camden for the coastal atmosphere of Cape May, this 79.5-mile journey is an accessible option. Expect a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $13 for fuel to complete the trip, which keeps the costs manageable for a spontaneous getaway. Since you are traveling entirely within the Northeast region of New Jersey, the transition from the city to the shore is straightforward. You will navigate via the Veterans Memorial Highway, the Garden State Parkway, and New Stage Road. Whether you want a quick escape or a full day of exploration, this route offers a reliable connection between these two distinct New Jersey destinations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.8 miles from Camden, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway 40.5 mi 47m
Garden State Parkway 9.4 mi 10m
New Stage Road 5.8 mi 9m
Court House South Dennis Road 5.8 mi 9m
North-South Freeway 4.3 mi 5m
North Delsea Drive 4.1 mi 6m
Delsea Drive 2.8 mi 4m
East Creek Mill Road 2.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Veterans Memorial Highway — 40.5 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and Cape May, NJ.

1

Start on CR 551

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadway
2

Turn left onto Morgan Street

328 ft · 6 sec · Morgan Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 676 South, NJTP: Walt Whitman Bridge, Atlantic City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Merge onto I 676

4.3 mi · 5 min · North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55

41 mi · 47 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on NJ 47

2.8 mi · 4 min · Delsea Drive
7

Continue on NJ 47; NJ 347

5.8 mi · 9 min · New Stage Road
8

Continue on NJ 347

2.7 mi · 4 min · East Creek Mill Road
9

Continue on NJ 47

4.1 mi · 6 min · North Delsea Drive
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto CR 657

5.8 mi · 9 min · Court House South Dennis Road
11

Continue on CR 657

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Stone Harbor Boulevard
12

Turn right onto Brighton Road

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Brighton Road
13

Take the ramp onto Brighton Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Brighton Road
Exit 10 Toward GSP South
14

Merge onto GSP

9.4 mi · 10 min · Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on NJ 109

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lafayette Street
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
16

Turn left onto NJ 109; OD

275 ft · 8 sec · Sidney Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

293 ft · 13 sec · Washington Street
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto East Street

302 ft · 15 sec · East Street
19

Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue

324 ft · 15 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
20

Turn left onto Reading Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · Reading Avenue
21

Turn left onto New York Avenue

104 ft · 6 sec · New York Avenue
22

Turn right

82 ft · 6 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops required to reach your destination in under two hours, you can easily drive the entire stretch in one go. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means you should stay alert during the navigation-intensive portions of the route. Because you are only budgeting $13 for fuel, it is wise to fill up before you leave Camden to avoid price fluctuations near the shore. Use the lack of scheduled stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time around the specific activities you have lined up in Cape May.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.8 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.5 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 17 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.8 miles or 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape May, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Camden, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Camden, NJ

This is one driving day of about 79.5 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Camden, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 40.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Vineland, NJ

40 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Philadelphia, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Vineland, NJ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.8 miles from Camden, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bagel Time Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cape May, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.5

Hours: Closed

+16094087596

Visit website

Sunnyside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

0.7 mi

Royal Spice Indian Restaurant & Banquet Hall

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Millville, New Jersey

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coho Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.1

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362935

Visit website

Magic Brain Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cape May, New Jersey

1 mi

Salty Acres Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rio Grande, New Jersey

0.6 mi

Bagel Time Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16094087596

Visit website

Sunnyside Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.1

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362376

Royal Spice Indian Restaurant & Banquet Hall

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 39.8

Millville, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+18565068521

Visit website

Pegasus I Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.4

Malaga, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–9:30 pm

+18566940500

Visit website

Bella Vida Garden Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.5

West Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+16098846332

Visit website

The Olive Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 11.4

Sewell, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18564686655

Visit website

Olympia Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 34.1

Vineland, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18566916095

Visit website

Chow's Garden Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.8

Millville, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18563273259

Visit website

Coho Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.1

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16095362935

Visit website

Magic Brain Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Salty Acres Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.8

Rio Grande, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+16094258320

Visit website

Beach Plum Bakery & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16097708261

Visit website

Xpresso Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.8

Vineland, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18568255913

RIM Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12154653515

Visit website

CNT Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12678869851

Visit website

Holy Cannoli! Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+12673191700

Visit website

Sunset Beach Hotel

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 73.8

Wildwood, New Jersey

+16095223193

Visit website

gramd hotel

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Adventure Aquarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Camden, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18444743474

Visit website

Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 79.5

Cape May, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19088797262

Visit website

Spruce Street Harbor Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12159222386

Visit website

MindEscape Escape Room Philadelphia

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–9:30 pm

+12154546159

Visit website

Bellmawr Lake

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 5.7

Bellmawr, New Jersey

+18569330554

Visit website

The Museum of Cape May County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 68.1

Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+16094653535

Visit website

Washington Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 11.4

Sewell, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18565896427

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 78.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 676 South, NJTP: Walt Whitman Bridge, Atlantic City

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 676 South, NJTP: Walt Whitman Bridge,...
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 676 / North-South Freeway

Merge onto I 676 / North-South Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
5.5 mi into trip | ~8m in | NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland
5
68.1 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge onto GSP / Garden State Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78.6 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | Washington Street

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.18 one way

$26.36 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $14.44 $28.87
premium $4.93 $15.42 $30.84
diesel $5.61 $17.55 $35.11

Estimated Tolls: $0.56

Garden State Parkway (9.4 mi) $0.56

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.35 $3.82
Efficient EV 19.9 0 $6.96 $3.18
EV Truck/SUV 31.8 0 $11.13 $5.09

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Camden, NJ

Late night in Camden on Sunday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cape May, NJ

Late night in Cape May on Sunday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 47m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will spend 17% of your time on highways, the experience is defined by shifting road types as you head south. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 40.5 miles along the Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a significant chunk of steady travel. The transition between fast-paced highway sections and more technical local roads keeps the drive engaging for those behind the wheel. Prepare for a varied road profile that requires your attention as you navigate through different types of infrastructure on your way to the coast.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.5 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 676 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Camden, NJ and Cape May, NJ, road signs point toward Vineland and Gsp South.

Vineland

5.5 mi in | ~8m | via NJ 55

Gsp South

67.9 mi in | ~1h 30m | via Brighton Road

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 79.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.5 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.56 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cape May, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 676 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cape May, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

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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