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Trip from Lakewood, NJ to Elmer, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

82.2 mi

132 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Lakewood, NJ, NJ

Lakewood, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

borough in Salem County, New Jersey

Elmer, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 82.2-mile drive from Lakewood, NJ, to Elmer, NJ, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 47 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily navigate on the New Jersey Turnpike and Veterans Memorial Highway, with about 60% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $14, making it an economical option. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of highway speeds and potentially some local road sections as you approach your destination in the Northeast region of New Jersey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.1 miles from Lakewood, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New Jersey Turnpike 33.7 mi 38m
Veterans Memorial Highway 15 mi 17m
Central Jersey Expressway 14.5 mi 16m
County Line Road 6.3 mi 11m
Buck Road 3.8 mi 5m
Harding Highway 1.7 mi 1m
East Commodore Boulevard 1 mi 1m
North-South Freeway 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: New Jersey Turnpike — 33.7 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NJ and Elmer, NJ.

1

Start on 8th Street

46 ft · 4 sec · 8th Street
2

Turn right onto US 9; CR 547

0.6 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
3

Turn left onto CR 526

6.3 mi · 11 min · County Line Road
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left onto CR 526; CR 638

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Jackson Mills Road
5

Turn slight right onto CR 526

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Commodore Boulevard
6

Turn right onto CR 527

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Cedar Swamp Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 195 West: Trenton
8

Merge onto I 195

14 mi · 16 min · Central Jersey Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 6 Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP: New York, Camden Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on this road

479 ft · 23 sec · this road
Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Camden Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 47 sec
Toward Trucks-Buses-Cars Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

8.4 mi · 9 min · New Jersey Turnpike
14

Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP

25 mi · 29 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 3 Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Turn straight onto NJ 168

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Black Horse Pike
18

Turn left onto CR 659

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Browning Road
Use the left lane.
19

Turn slight left onto CR 753

0.8 mi · 2 min · Creek Road
20

Turn left onto Harding Avenue

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Harding Avenue
Use the left lane.
21

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
22

Merge onto NJ 42

0.9 mi · 1 min · North-South Freeway
23

Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55

15 mi · 17 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 45 Toward CR 553: Clayton, Glassboro, Centerton Use the slight right lane.
25

Turn right onto CR 553

3.8 mi · 5 min · Buck Road
26

Turn right onto US 40

1.7 mi · 1 min · Harding Highway
27

Continue on US 40

431 ft · 7 sec · Front Street
28

Arrive at destination

US 40

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 47-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can leave at your leisure, but aiming to depart after morning rush hour will ensure a smoother start. With no specific stops recommended, the journey is direct, and the $14 fuel cost is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking, to avoid any unexpected detours for gas. A practical tip for this route: be aware of potential tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, as these can add to your overall travel time and cost if not accounted for.

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 41.1 miles from Lakewood, NJ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.7 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 18 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.1 miles or 54m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmer, NJ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakewood, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lakewood, NJ

This is one driving day of about 82.2 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lakewood, 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 33.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bristol, PA

41 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

New Egypt, NJ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bristol, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.1 miles from Lakewood, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.2 and 61.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
23.2 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward I 95 Toll, NJTP: New York, Camden

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 6 Toward I 95 Toll, NJTP: New York, Camden
9
24 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Camden

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Camden
8
58.3 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway

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 3 Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
58.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 168 North: Camden, Philadelphia
8
61.4 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto NJ 55 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 55 South: Glassboro, Vineland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.63 one way

$27.26 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $14.93 $29.85
premium $4.93 $15.94 $31.88
diesel $5.61 $18.15 $36.30

Estimated Tolls: $4.72

New Jersey Turnpike (33.7 mi) $4.72

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

$14

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: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.7 0 $8.63 $3.95
Efficient EV 20.6 0 $7.19 $3.29
EV Truck/SUV 32.9 0 $11.51 $5.26

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Lakewood, NJ

Late night in Lakewood on Sunday

Local time

4:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmer, NJ

Late night in Elmer on Sunday

Local time

4:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bristol, PA

41 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 47m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion, 60%, dedicated to highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.7 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a period of consistent speed. As you transition off the turnpike and onto Veterans Memorial Highway and the Central Jersey Expressway, the character of the drive will likely evolve. This blend means you'll experience periods of faster, more direct travel interspersed with sections that may require more attention to local road conditions and traffic patterns.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.7 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 23.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.2 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lakewood, NJ and Elmer, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New York, Camden, Njtp, Njtp South: Camden, Trucks-Buses-Cars and Wilmington - among others.

Njtp: New York

23.2 mi in | ~32m

Camden

23.2 mi in | ~32m

Njtp

23.9 mi in | ~34m

Njtp South: Camden

24 mi in | ~34m

Trucks-Buses-Cars

24.1 mi in | ~34m

Wilmington

33 mi in | ~45m | via NJTP

Philadelphia

58.6 mi in | ~1h 15m

Vineland

61.4 mi in | ~1h 21m | via NJ 55

Cr 553: Clayton

76.4 mi in | ~1h 39m

Glassboro

76.4 mi in | ~1h 39m

Centerton

76.4 mi in | ~1h 39m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 82.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 33.7 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.72 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 Elmer, 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elmer, NJ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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