Camden, NJ to Union Beach, NJ is 71.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m via New Jersey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Jersey, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to travel north within the state. Given its relatively short duration and predictable route, it's an ideal option for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on major roadways, so expect a steady pace for most of the drive. Consider this route for its efficiency and ease of navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
38.8 mi
44m
Kaighns Avenue
5.9 mi
9m
Tennent Road
3.6 mi
6m
Texas Road
3 mi
4m
Forsgate Drive
2.5 mi
3m
Marlboro Road
1.9 mi
3m
Matchaponix Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
Pergola Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 38.8 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and Union Beach, 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
24 mi·27 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto Exit 8A
0.9 mi·1 min·Exit 8A
Exit 8AToward NJ 32: Jamesburg, CranburyUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward NJ 32 East: Jamesburg, Monroe
22
Turn straight onto NJ 32
2.5 mi·3 min·Forsgate Drive
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto CR 522; CR 612
313 ft·10 sec·Buckelew Avenue
24
Turn left onto CR 612
1.6 mi·2 min·Pergola Avenue
25
Continue on CR 612
1.9 mi·2 min·Matchaponix Avenue
26
Continue on Texas Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Texas Road
27
Turn right onto CR 520
1.9 mi·3 min·Marlboro Road
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto CR 3
3.6 mi·6 min·Tennent Road
29
Continue on NJ 79; CR 3
1.2 mi·1 min·NJ 79; CR 3
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 79
1.5 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on CR 516
0.7 mi·1 min·Lower Main Street
32
Continue on CR 516
0.1 mi·15 sec·Maple Place
33
Turn slight left onto CR 516
0.2 mi·19 sec·Broadway
34
Continue on CR 6
0.4 mi·40 sec·Broadway
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto CR 6
0.5 mi·52 sec·West Front Street
36
Turn left onto CR 4
365 ft·10 sec·Broad Street
37
Turn right onto CR 6
0.8 mi·1 min·1st Street
38
Continue on CR 6
0.3 mi·49 sec·Broadway
39
At end of road, turn left onto CR 39
0.4 mi·52 sec·Florence Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
CR 39
Trip Plan
For this 71.3-mile journey, leaving on a weekday morning before rush hour can help you make the most of the 1h 40m estimated drive time. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; however, planning a brief break around the halfway point, perhaps before or after the longest stretch on the New Jersey Turnpike, could be beneficial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is just $12, and it's wise to top off before heading out to avoid any unexpected detours for gas, especially on the Turnpike where services might 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 35.6 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 35.6 miles or 47m 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 Union Beach, 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 71.3 miles and 1h 40m.
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 38.8 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 49.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
6
25 mi into trip|~35m in|NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|Exit 8A
Take the exit onto Exit 8A toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
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 8A
Toward NJ 32: Jamesburg, Cranbury
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.25 one way
$24.51 round trip
$4.37/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.79
$13.45
$26.89
premium
$5.13
$14.39
$28.78
diesel
$5.97
$16.75
$33.50
Estimated Tolls: $5.43
New Jersey Turnpike
(38.8 mi)$5.43
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.49
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.24
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
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 Aug 8, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Morning
in Camden on Saturday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 7 at 7:30PM EDT until August 7 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 7 at 7:27PM EDT until August 7 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Union Beach, NJ
Morning
in Union Beach on Saturday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 7 at 7:30PM EDT until August 7 at 9:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 7 at 7:27PM EDT until August 7 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
1h 40m 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 71.3
Park Closure: Fort Wadsworth Closed 6 p.m. May 2 - 10 a.m. May 4
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$10
near mile 71.3
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 68.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a mixed profile, with 58% of it on highways, primarily the New Jersey Turnpike. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 38.8 miles on this major artery, offering a consistent, albeit fast-paced, driving experience. As you transition off the Turnpike, expect the roads to become more local, potentially altering the pace and requiring more attention to traffic signals and turns. The character shifts from open highway cruising to navigating more integrated road networks.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.8 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.3 miles you will encounter 28 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 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
148 ft7 ft
Total Climb
221 ft
Total Descent
217 ft
Highest Point
148 ft
~50.9 mi in
Elevation Range
140 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 Union Beach, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Cranbury and Monroe.
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 40m. Total distance: 71.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.8 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.43 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 6 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 Union Beach, 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 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown 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 Union Beach, NJ before heading back.
