Camden, NJ to Shark River Hills, NJ is 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 30m via Central Jersey Expressway and I-295, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You can expect a quick transit between these two points, making it ideal for a day trip or a direct connection.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.3 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central Jersey Expressway
33.6 mi
39m
I 295
25 mi
28m
Marlton Pike
5.2 mi
6m
NJ 138
1.7 mi
1m
NJ 18
1.5 mi
1m
Kaighns Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Baird Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Admiral Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Central Jersey Expressway
— 33.6 mi, about 39m
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 Shark River Hills, 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
25 mi·28 min·I 295
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Exit 60
0.4 mi·54 sec·Exit 60
Exit 60Toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, BelmarUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195 East
0.5 mi·58 sec·I 195 East
Toward I 195 East: Belmar
17
Merge onto I 195
34 mi·39 min·Central Jersey Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on NJ 138
1.7 mi·1 min·NJ 138
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward NJ 18 North: Eatontown
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Monmouth Boulevard
21
Continue on NJ 18
1.5 mi·1 min·NJ 18
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 7Toward Marconi Road, Shark River HillsUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto Brighton Avenue
0.4 mi·56 sec·Brighton Avenue
24
Turn right onto Lakewood Road
0.4 mi·58 sec·Lakewood Road
25
Turn right onto Forest Drive
26 ft·1 sec·Forest Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Forest Drive
Trip Plan
Starting your drive early in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, can help you avoid the heaviest traffic associated with the Philadelphia and Trenton areas. Since this is a relatively short trip at just 1 hour and 30 minutes, you don't need to plan for extensive stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $13, and filling up before you leave Camden or shortly after you begin on I-295 is advisable. The longest stretch without a major road change is 33.6 miles on the Central Jersey Expressway, so be prepared for sustained highway travel during 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 36.3 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.6 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.3 miles or 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shark River Hills, 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 72.5 miles and 1h 30m.
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 Central Jersey Expressway for about 33.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 71.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|South 8th Street
Keep slight right at fork onto South 8th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 38 East, NJ 70 East: Cherry Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 38 East, NJ 70 East: Cherry Hill
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
33.4 mi into trip|~42m in|Exit 60
Take the exit onto Exit 60 toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
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 60
Toward NJ 29 North, I 195 East: Trenton, Belmar
8
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward Marconi Road, Shark River Hills
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 7
Toward Marconi Road, Shark River Hills
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.66 one way
$25.32 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$13.86
$27.73
premium
$5.20
$14.83
$29.66
diesel
$6.28
$17.91
$35.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.34
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Late night
in Camden on Saturday
Local time
1:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shark River Hills, NJ
Late night
in Shark River Hills on Saturday
Local time
1:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Bristol, PA
36 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
4 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 30m 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.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 72.5
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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 driving, with 86% of the trip on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 33.6 miles on the Central Jersey Expressway before transitioning. The majority of your time will be spent on these expressways, which means you'll likely notice a consistent flow of traffic and a higher density of exits compared to surface streets. The final portion will involve surface roads as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.6 mi on Central Jersey Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Jersey Expressway and I 295. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near South 8th Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.6 miles (South 8th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (NJ 70 / Marlton Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
168 ft7 ft
Total Climb
203 ft
Total Descent
156 ft
Highest Point
168 ft
~46.6 mi in
Elevation Range
160 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Camden, NJ to Shark River Hills, NJ, road signs begin pointing toward Belmar along the way.
Belmar
33.4 mi in|~42m|via Exit 60
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
•St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church — church in New Jersey, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.6 miles on Central Jersey Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Shark River Hills, 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 0.6 miles (South 8th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (NJ 70 / Marlton Pike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 Shark River Hills, NJ before heading back.
