This 96-mile drive from Hackensack to Camden, New Jersey, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 3 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $16, making it an economical option. You'll primarily be on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and then the New Jersey Turnpike, which makes up 86% of your highway travel. Given its highway-focused profile, this route is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Hackensack, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
64 mi
1h 17m
New Jersey Turnpike
16.8 mi
19m
Kaighns Avenue
7.5 mi
12m
River Street
1.7 mi
2m
Winant Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
NJ 73
0.7 mi
1m
NJ-73
0.6 mi
<1m
Broadway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 64 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hackensack, NJ and Camden, NJ.
1
Start on this road
44 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto State Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·State Street
3
Turn left onto Atlantic Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Atlantic Street
4
Turn right onto CR 503; CR 49
1.7 mi·2 min·River Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on CR 124
0.3 mi·26 sec·Bergen Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto US 46
0.8 mi·1 min·Winant Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
306 ft·6 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NJ Turnpike, Teaneck RoadUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South OnlyUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
55 mi·1 hr 4 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto NJ 73
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on NJ-73
0.6 mi·52 sec·NJ-73
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·43 sec
Toward NJ 38 West: Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge
20
Merge onto NJ 38
5.6 mi·8 min·Kaighns Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 130
189 ft·6 sec·South Crescent Boulevard
Toward US 130 South, US 30 East
22
Turn slight right onto CR 607
1.9 mi·3 min·Kaighns Avenue
23
Turn left onto CR 551
0.3 mi·32 sec·Broadway
24
Arrive at destination
CR 551
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour duration, this trip is best tackled as a day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Hackensack in the morning, perhaps after a quick breakfast, should get you to Camden with plenty of daylight. The route is primarily on major toll roads, so ensure you have your E-ZPass or cash ready for tolls. With a fuel cost estimate of just $16, you won't need frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Hackensack to ensure a seamless journey, especially since there are no designated stops mentioned.
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 48 miles from Hackensack, NJ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 1h 1m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camden, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hackensack, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hackensack, NJ
This is one driving day of about 96 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Hackensack, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur for about 64 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 93.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NJ Turnpike, Teaneck Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NJ Turnpike, Tea...
8
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South Only
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: NJ Turnpike, South Only
8
4 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
7
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 73 North: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 73 North: Camden
7
93.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 130 / South Crescent Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto US 130 / South Crescent Boulevard toward US 130 South, US 30 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 130 South, US 30 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.92 one way
$31.83 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.43
$34.86
premium
$4.93
$18.62
$37.24
diesel
$5.61
$21.20
$42.39
Estimated Tolls: $11.32
New Jersey Turnpike
(80.8 mi)$11.32
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
$16
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.40
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Hackensack, NJ
Late night
in Hackensack on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Camden, NJ
Late night
in Camden on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Manalapan, NJ
48 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
3 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
2h 3m 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.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 16.6
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 33.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly highway-focused drive for most of this 96-mile trip. With 86% of the route on major highways, you'll experience long stretches of consistent driving. The longest uninterrupted segment is an impressive 64 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, allowing for steady progress. While the majority of the drive involves navigating the New Jersey Turnpike, the final approach into Camden utilizes Kaighns Avenue, offering a slight change in scenery as you transition towards your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64 mi on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and New Jersey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 96 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hackensack, NJ and Camden, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp South: Camden and Wilmington.
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 2h 3m. Total distance: 96 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m 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 64 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.32 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.
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 Camden, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Camden, NJ before heading back.
