Camden, NJ to Plainfield, NJ is 74.7 miles and takes about 1h 42m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, traversing the Northeast region. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a straightforward drive. You'll be spending a significant portion on the New Jersey Turnpike, so expect a highway-focused experience. This route is ideal for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.4 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
48.3 mi
55m
Memorial Parkway
6 mi
7m
Kaighns Avenue
5.9 mi
9m
West Front Street
3.8 mi
8m
Old New Brunswick Road
1.7 mi
3m
New Market Road
1 mi
2m
State Route 18
1 mi
1m
Stelton Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 48.3 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and Plainfield, 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
34 mi·38 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 9Toward NJ 18, US 1: New BrunswickUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
323 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
23
Merge onto NJ 18; CR 527
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 18
24
Continue on NJ 18
6.0 mi·7 min·Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 18
1.7 mi·3 min·Old New Brunswick Road
Use the left lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto CR 665
0.7 mi·1 min·Stelton Road
27
At end of road, turn left onto CR 665
352 ft·7 sec·Lakeview Avenue
28
Continue on CR 665
1.0 mi·2 min·New Market Road
29
Turn left onto CR 529
0.1 mi·22 sec·South Washington Avenue
30
Turn right onto NJ 28
0.3 mi·32 sec·North Avenue
31
Continue on NJ 28
3.8 mi·8 min·West Front Street
32
Turn right onto Leland Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Leland Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Leland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 42m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning or early afternoon is a good strategy to avoid peak traffic. Since this is a single-day trip of less than 75 miles, you have flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without a change in road type is 48.3 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, so plan accordingly if you prefer to break up highway cruising. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $13. For this route, consider topping off your tank before you get on the New Jersey Turnpike, as services can be spaced out.
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 37.4 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.3 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.4 miles or 49m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plainfield, 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 74.7 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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 48.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 59.7 — 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
8
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward NJ 18, US 1: New Brunswick
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 9
Toward NJ 18, US 1: New Brunswick
8
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
7
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 18 North: New Brunswick, Rutgers Univ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.21 one way
$26.42 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$14.47
$28.94
premium
$5.24
$15.42
$30.84
diesel
$5.35
$15.73
$31.47
Estimated Tolls: $6.76
New Jersey Turnpike
(48.3 mi)$6.76
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
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.84
$3.59
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.54
$2.99
EV Truck/SUV
29.9
0
$10.46
$4.78
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 3, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Evening
in Camden on Wednesday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Plainfield, NJ
Evening
in Plainfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
N 3 to 7 mph1% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 42m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 74.7
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$10
near mile 74.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 74.7
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 74.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 74.7 miles on roads like the New Jersey Turnpike. You'll encounter a long stretch of 48.3 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this primarily highway corridor. The Memorial Parkway and Kaighns Avenue will make up the latter part of your drive.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.3 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 Memorial Parkway. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.7 miles you will encounter 24 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 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 58.7 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
127 ft7 ft
Total Climb
233 ft
Total Descent
124 ft
Highest Point
127 ft
~37.4 mi in
Elevation Range
119 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 Plainfield, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York and Rutgers University.
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 1h 42m. Total distance: 74.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.3 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.76 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 8 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 Plainfield, 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 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 58.7 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 (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 Plainfield, NJ before heading back.
