Traveling from Camden to North Cape May covers 81.2 miles of New Jersey landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 49 minutes. This straightforward journey fits perfectly into a single day, allowing you to reach the shore without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Northeast region. The route utilizes a mix of the Veterans Memorial Highway, the Garden State Parkway, and New Stage Road. Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around your destination rather than worrying about a long haul on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 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
9.3 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 North 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 CityUse 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, VinelandUse 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 10Toward GSP South
14
Merge onto GSP
9.3 mi·10 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto NJ 109
0.6 mi·1 min·Shore Road
16
Take the exit
274 ft·9 sec
Toward US 9 South: Cape May FerryUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto Sandman Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 9
1.2 mi·1 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on Lincoln Boulevard
0.2 mi·27 sec·Lincoln Boulevard
20
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Pacific Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a compact 1 hour and 49 minute drive with no mandatory stops, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on your personal preference. Keep in mind that with such a turn-heavy profile, you should account for extra time if traffic is heavy on local roads. Since you only need to budget about $13 for fuel, it is wise to fill up before leaving Camden to avoid searching for stations during the more technical portions of the drive. Focus on staying refreshed for the local road segments, as the frequent turns demand more active attention than a standard interstate cruise. Utilize the flexibility of this short trip to arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore.
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 40.6 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North 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 81.2 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 78 — 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.
6
78 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 9 South: Cape May Ferry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 9 South: Cape May Ferry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.46 one way
$26.92 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.74
$29.49
premium
$4.93
$15.75
$31.50
diesel
$5.61
$17.93
$35.86
Estimated Tolls: $0.56
Garden State Parkway
(9.3 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: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.53
$3.90
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.25
EV Truck/SUV
32.5
0
$11.37
$5.20
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Night
in Camden on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
North Cape May, NJ
Night
in North Cape May on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
E 10 to 15 mph2% 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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances quick highway segments with slower transitions. Only 17% of this 81.2-mile journey takes place on high-speed highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which spans 40.5 miles before the route shifts character. This transition from major thoroughfares to local roads requires you to stay alert at intersections and turns. You will find that the rhythm of the drive changes significantly as you move away from the Camden area toward the coastal environment of North Cape May.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.2 miles you will encounter 10 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
156 ft7 ft
Total Climb
173 ft
Total Descent
171 ft
Highest Point
156 ft
~16.9 mi in
Elevation Range
149 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 North 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 49m. Total distance: 81.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m 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 North 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 North Cape May, NJ before heading back.
