Camden, NJ to West Long Branch, NJ is 71.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 37 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 18, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically traversing New Jersey for its entirety. It's a relatively short drive, primarily utilizing major highways, making it a straightforward connection between two points in the state. Given its duration and the highway-heavy profile, you can expect a functional, direct transit rather than a winding scenic exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
33.1 mi
38m
Franklin Street
9.3 mi
13m
NJ 18
8.1 mi
8m
Kaighns Avenue
5.9 mi
9m
NJ 33 Business
3 mi
5m
East Main Street
2.7 mi
4m
NJ 36
2.3 mi
3m
West Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 33.1 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and West Long Branch, 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
19 mi·21 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto NJ 33
9.3 mi·13 min·Franklin Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto NJ 33 Business
3.0 mi·5 min·NJ 33 Business
Toward NJ 33 Business East: Freehold Business DistrictUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto CR 537
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 537
2.7 mi·4 min·East Main Street
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 18 South: Shore Points, Collingswood Park
25
Merge onto NJ 18
8.1 mi·8 min·NJ 18
26
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 13BToward NJ 36 East: Eatontown, Long Branch
27
Merge onto NJ 36
2.3 mi·3 min·NJ 36
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
29
Turn slight right onto NJ 71
0.3 mi·35 sec·Monmouth Road
30
Turn left onto Parker Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Parker Road
31
Turn right onto CR 15
104 ft·2 sec·Locust Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
CR 15
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility for when you want to depart. Leaving mid-morning, after the initial rush hour, should provide a smoother experience. You won't need to plan for overnight stops, and with only a few hours behind the wheel, you can easily complete it in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $12, it's always wise to fill up before heading out, especially since the longest stretch on the Turnpike is over 33 miles. Consider a quick break before transitioning off the main highway onto NJ 18.
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 35.9 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.1 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 35.9 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Long Branch, 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 71.7 miles and 1h 37m.
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 33.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 52.8 — 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.
6
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|NJ 33 Business
Take the exit onto NJ 33 Business toward NJ 33 Business East: Freehold Business District
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 33 Business East: Freehold Business D...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.77 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.02
$26.04
premium
$4.93
$13.91
$27.81
diesel
$5.61
$15.83
$31.66
Estimated Tolls: $4.63
New Jersey Turnpike
(33.1 mi)$4.63
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
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.53
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Camden, NJ
Afternoon
in Camden on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Long Branch, NJ
Afternoon
in West Long Branch on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Mansfield, NJ
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
12 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 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 71.7
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 mostly highway, with 66% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant stretch of 33.1 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. The latter part of the trip transitions off the Turnpike onto surface roads like Franklin Street and NJ 18, so be prepared for more frequent exits and potentially increased local traffic as you approach your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.1 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 Franklin Street. 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 71.7 miles you will encounter 26 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.
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 West Long Branch, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Collingswood Park and Long Branch.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.1 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.63 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 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 West Long Branch, 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. 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 West Long Branch, NJ before heading back.
