Camden, NJ to Mahwah, NJ is 113 miles and takes about 2h 24m via the New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within New Jersey, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward path, it's a manageable drive for a single day. You'll primarily be on highway, making it a quick trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
70.9 mi
1h 23m
NJ 17
14 mi
17m
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
10.7 mi
14m
Kaighns Avenue
5.9 mi
9m
Christopher Columbus Highway
2.5 mi
2m
Franklin Turnpike
1.3 mi
2m
NJ 73
0.7 mi
<1m
NJ-73
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 23m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,528 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,100
Quietest
2 AM
~312 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 93 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 Mahwah, 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 left at fork onto NJ 38
5.0 mi·7 min·Kaighns Avenue
Toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping MallsUse the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Toward NJ 73 South: Marlton
14
Merge onto NJ-73
0.5 mi·49 sec·NJ-73
15
Continue on NJ 73
0.7 mi·46 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
11 mi·14 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 West: PatersonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 West Local: HackensackUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 80
2.5 mi·2 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 64AToward NJ 4, NJ 17: Rochelle Park, ParamusUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto NJ 17
2.5 mi·2 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·NJ 17
29
Take the exit
474 ft·13 sec
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
30
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
31
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft·11 sec
Toward Franklin Turnpike, SuffernUse the straight / slight left lanes.
32
Turn straight onto CR 507
1.3 mi·2 min·Franklin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto West Airmount Road
167 ft·7 sec·West Airmount Road
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
West Airmount Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day drive of just over two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in either direction. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical trip. Keep an eye on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur as it can have its own traffic patterns separate from the main Turnpike. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point when you're transitioning roads.
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 56.5 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 12m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mahwah, 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 113 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Camden, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 70.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3 mi into trip|~6m in|NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping Malls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping Malls
7
9.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward NJTP North: New York
7
94 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West Local: Hackensack
8
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward NJ 4, NJ 17: Rochelle Park, Paramus
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 64A
Toward NJ 4, NJ 17: Rochelle Park, Paramus
9
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.73 one way
$39.47 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$21.61
$43.22
premium
$5.20
$23.12
$46.23
diesel
$6.28
$27.92
$55.84
Estimated Tolls: $11.52
New Jersey Turnpike
(81.7 mi)$11.43
Franklin Turnpike
(1.3 mi)$0.09
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
$20
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.9
0
$11.87
$5.42
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.89
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.82
$7.23
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Night
in Camden on Friday
Local time
11:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mahwah, NJ
Night
in Mahwah on Friday
Local time
11:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
2h 24m 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.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 101.3
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
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...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 77.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 70.9 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, which means a lot of consistent cruising. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate the Turnpike and then transition to NJ 17. The latter part of the trip on NJ 17 will likely involve more local traffic and a change from the Turnpike's high-speed environment.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.9 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue.
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 25 significant decision points across 113 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 3 miles (NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
318 ft6 ft
Total Climb
512 ft
Total Descent
200 ft
Highest Point
318 ft
~113 mi in
Elevation Range
312 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 Mahwah, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York and Paramus.
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 24m. Total distance: 113 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.9 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.52 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Mahwah, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). 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 Mahwah, NJ before heading back.
