Camden to Mountain Lakes is 94.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 9 minutes via I-295 and I-287, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, connecting the Northeast region from one end to the other. Given its relatively short duration and primarily highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll find it's a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points in the Garden State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 295
32.4 mi
37m
I 287
25.7 mi
31m
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 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,653 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~309 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Mountain Lakes, 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
26 mi·31 min·I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 43Toward Intervale Road, Mountain LakesUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto US 202; CR 511
0.1 mi·13 sec·Intervale Road
Use the left / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto Fanny Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Fanny Road
35
Turn sharp left onto CR 618
0.6 mi·1 min·Boulevard
36
Turn left onto Glen Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·Glen Road
37
Arrive at destination
Glen Road
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving mid-morning on a weekday can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. Since the total travel time is under three hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but planning a quick break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and knowing your car's MPG will help you budget accurately. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 32.4 miles on I-295, so be prepared for that segment.
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 47.3 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 1h 1m 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 47.3 miles or 1h 1m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mountain Lakes, 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 94.7 miles and 2h 9m.
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 3 and 92.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3 mi into trip|~6m in|NJ 70 / Marlton Pike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 70 / Marlton Pike toward Cherry Hill Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cherry Hill Business District
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
92.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward Intervale Road, Mountain Lakes
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 43
Toward Intervale Road, Mountain Lakes
7
92.8 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 202; CR 511 / Intervale Road
Turn left onto US 202; CR 511 / Intervale Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.75 one way
$33.50 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.34
$36.69
premium
$5.24
$19.55
$39.10
diesel
$5.35
$19.95
$39.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.94
$4.55
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.29
$3.79
EV Truck/SUV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Afternoon
in Camden on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mountain Lakes, NJ
Afternoon
in Mountain Lakes on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
73°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
3 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 9m 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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 81.6
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$10
near mile 88.2
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 91.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 69% of the drive on major interstates like I-295 and I-287. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 32.4 miles on I-295 before transitioning to other major roads. Expect to encounter the typical conditions of interstate driving, including merging traffic and a steady flow of vehicles, especially as you approach more populated areas. The remaining portion will involve surface roads.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 3 miles in near NJ 70 / Marlton Pike.
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 94.7 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 70 / Marlton Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
490 ft7 ft
Total Climb
754 ft
Total Descent
272 ft
Highest Point
490 ft
~94.7 mi in
Elevation Range
483 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 Mountain Lakes, NJ, road signs point toward Trenton, New York and Morristown.
Trenton
40.9 mi in|~50m
New York
64.9 mi in|~1h 29m|via US 206
Morristown
66.5 mi in|~1h 32m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
•United States Post Office and Courthouse — historic building in Camden, New Jersey, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 94.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). 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 Mountain Lakes, 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 3 miles (NJ 70 / Marlton Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 Mountain Lakes, NJ before heading back.
