Camden, NJ to Lake Hiawatha, NJ is 93.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 8 minutes via I 295 and I 287, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of this relatively short drive. It's a straightforward trip that should be easy to plan for a single day, with minimal fuss and a clear path from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
32.4 mi
37m
I 287
23.6 mi
28m
Peter J. Biondi Memorial Bypass
8 mi
11m
US 206
6.9 mi
10m
Marlton Pike
5.2 mi
6m
Brunswick Pike
4.1 mi
5m
State Road
3.1 mi
5m
Washington Road
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,686 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,600
Quietest
2 AM
~312 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 98 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and Lake Hiawatha, NJ.
1
Start on CR 551
0.2 mi·20 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Atlantic Avenue
3
Turn left
30 ft·0 sec
4
Turn slight right
477 ft·9 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto South 8th Street
295 ft·5 sec·South 8th Street
6
Turn right onto CR 607
0.7 mi·1 min·Kaighns Avenue
7
Turn left onto CR 608
0.5 mi·1 min·Baird Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 30 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 30
0.5 mi·48 sec·Admiral Wilson Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward NJ 38 East, NJ 70 East: Cherry Hill
11
Continue on NJ 38
0.3 mi·24 sec·Kaighns Avenue
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 70
5.2 mi·6 min·Marlton Pike
Toward Cherry Hill Business DistrictUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 295 North: Trenton
14
Merge onto I 295
32 mi·37 min·I 295
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 67A-BToward US 1: New Brunswick, TrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 67AToward US 1 North: New BrunswickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 1
4.1 mi·5 min·Brunswick Pike
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 526; CR 571
339 ft·7 sec·Washington Road
19
Continue on CR 526; CR 571
1.6 mi·3 min·Washington Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto NJ 27
0.1 mi·30 sec·Nassau Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Witherspoon Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Witherspoon Street
22
Continue on Mount Lucas Road
493 ft·20 sec·Mount Lucas Road
23
Turn left onto Cherry Hill Road
141 ft·8 sec·Cherry Hill Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto US 206; CR 533
3.1 mi·5 min·State Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 206; CR 533
5.3 mi·8 min·US 206; CR 533
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit onto US 206 BYP
0.2 mi·15 sec·Peter J. Biondi Memorial Bypass
27
Merge onto US 206 BYP
7.8 mi·11 min·Peter J. Biondi Memorial Bypass
Use the straight lane.
28
Enter roundabout onto US 206
209 ft·2 sec·US 206
Toward US 202 North, US 206 North: Netcong, New York
29
Continue on US 206
1.6 mi·2 min·US 206
Toward US 202 North, US 206 North: Netcong, New York
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 287 North: Netcong, Morristown
31
Merge onto I 287
24 mi·28 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 41AToward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 41AToward I 80 East: New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 80E
1.2 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 East
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 45Toward Lake Hiawatha, WhippanyUse the slight right lane.
36
At end of road, turn left onto CR 637
0.2 mi·23 sec·South Beverwyck Road
37
Continue on North Beverwyck Road
1.4 mi·3 min·North Beverwyck Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Turn right onto Chesapeake Avenue
207 ft·9 sec·Chesapeake Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
Chesapeake Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic around the Philadelphia and New York metro areas. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's wise to fill up before you leave Camden. While there are no mandatory overnight stops, keep an eye out for rest areas on I 295 and I 287 if you need a break. The transition from highway to surface roads near Lake Hiawatha means paying closer attention to local signage as you get closer to your destination.
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 47 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 1h 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Hiawatha, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camden, NJ
This is one driving day of about 93.9 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Camden, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 295 for about 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 40.9 and 92.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40.9 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67A-B
Toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
8
41.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67A
Toward US 1 North: New Brunswick
8
90.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41A
Toward I 80 East: Smith Road, New York City
8
90.7 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward I 80 East: New York City
8
92.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward Lake Hiawatha, Whippany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 45
Toward Lake Hiawatha, Whippany
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.40 one way
$32.80 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$17.96
$35.91
premium
$5.20
$19.21
$38.42
diesel
$6.28
$23.20
$46.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Afternoon
in Camden on Friday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
Afternoon
in Lake Hiawatha on Friday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Lawrence, NJ
47 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 81
Caution: August 13, 2026: One Lane Traffic on Tempe Wick Road
Caution: Jockey Hollow Outer Blue Loop and a Section of Primrose Trail Closed
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$10
near mile 93.9
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 93.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 68% of this 93.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 32.4 miles on I 295. After leaving the interstate system, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect a good amount of merging and exits as you navigate the interconnected highway system for the majority of your travel time.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on I 295.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and I 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 93.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
318 ft4 ft
Total Climb
457 ft
Total Descent
208 ft
Highest Point
318 ft
~80.5 mi in
Elevation Range
314 ft
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 Lake Hiawatha, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton, New York and Morristown.
Camden is a city in Camden County, New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Camden is a former industrial boom-town that has fallen onto hard times.
Decades of disinvestment and government mismanagement have contributed to Camden's sky-high crime rate, and many of the city's neighborhoods are hotbeds of gang- and drug-related violence. However, the government has begun developing the Delaware River waterfront, which is now a popular and well-traveled tourist destination offering grand views of the Philadelphia skyline and a multitude of activities for adults and children. Headlines about violence and crime in Camden may dissuade many tourists to the Philadelphia area from visiting, but a one-day trip to the waterfront may be well worth the trip.
Top landmarks
•USS New Jersey — 1942 Iowa-class battleship
•Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Catholic cathedral in Camden, New Jersey, United States
•St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church — church in New Jersey, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 93.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on I 295. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lake Hiawatha, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Hiawatha, NJ before heading back.
