Traveling from Middletown to Camden covers 72.9 miles of New Jersey landscape, making for a straightforward trek that easily fits into a single day. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes, depending on traffic conditions along your path. With fuel costs estimated at $12, this is a budget-friendly trip that stays entirely within the Northeast region. Because the journey is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated logistics. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, the route is designed for efficiency rather than a leisurely pace. It is a practical connection between two distinct parts of the state that keeps your travel time minimal.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.5 miles from Middletown, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
38.8 mi
44m
Newman Springs Road
8.7 mi
13m
Kaighns Avenue
7.5 mi
12m
Texas Road
3 mi
4m
Forsgate Drive
2.4 mi
3m
Matchaponix Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
Pergola Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Holland Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 38.8 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middletown, NJ and Camden, NJ.
1
Start on CR 50
0.3 mi·48 sec·Kings Highway
2
Turn left onto Red Hill Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Red Hill Road
3
Turn right onto Holland Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Holland Road
4
Turn left onto CR 52
1.0 mi·1 min·Van Schoick Road
5
Continue on CR 52
0.8 mi·1 min·Red Hill Road
6
Continue on Middletown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Middletown Road
7
Continue on Holmdel Middletown Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Holmdel Middletown Road
8
Turn right onto CR 520
8.7 mi·13 min·Newman Springs Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto CR 520
3.0 mi·4 min·Texas Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn straight onto Matchaponix Avenue
1.9 mi·2 min·Matchaponix Avenue
11
Continue on CR 612
1.6 mi·2 min·Pergola Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto CR 522; CR 612
313 ft·12 sec·Buckelew Avenue
13
Turn left onto CR 612
2.4 mi·3 min·Forsgate Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
22 mi·25 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 73
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
22
Continue on NJ-73
0.6 mi·52 sec·NJ-73
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·43 sec
Toward NJ 38 West: Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge
24
Merge onto NJ 38
5.6 mi·8 min·Kaighns Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 130
189 ft·6 sec·South Crescent Boulevard
Toward US 130 South, US 30 East
26
Turn slight right onto CR 607
1.9 mi·3 min·Kaighns Avenue
27
Turn left onto CR 551
0.3 mi·32 sec·Broadway
28
Arrive at destination
CR 551
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1-hour and 43-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the New Jersey Turnpike is wise, as congestion can quickly impact your arrival time. You do not need to schedule formal stops given the short distance, but planning for a quick break before hitting the Turnpike can help you stay alert. Since the entire trip requires only about $12 in fuel, filling up your tank before you leave Middletown ensures you won't need to worry about stopping for gas while navigating the heavier traffic near Camden. Use the shorter local segments at the start and end of your trip to adjust to the changing pace of the road.
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 36.5 miles from Middletown, NJ, or about 55m 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 55m 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 24m
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 Middletown, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middletown, NJ
This is one driving day of about 72.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Middletown, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.1 and 70.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23.1 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the ramp toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
6
23.5 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, NJTP South: Trenton
6
23.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
$12.89 one way
$25.78 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$14.12
$28.24
premium
$5.24
$15.05
$30.10
diesel
$5.35
$15.35
$30.71
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
$13
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: 25.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.38
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Middletown, NJ
Afternoon
in Middletown on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Camden, NJ
Afternoon
in Camden on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
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
1h 43m 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
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...
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
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, balancing local roads with major thoroughfares. You will navigate through local stretches like Newman Springs Road and Kaighns Avenue, which account for the non-highway portion of your journey. About 55% of the route is spent on the New Jersey Turnpike, providing a steady, fast-paced environment for the bulk of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs here, where you will spend 38.8 miles cruising on the Turnpike. Expect the road's personality to shift from the suburban feel near Middletown to the more urban, high-traffic environment as you approach the Camden area.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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 23.1 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 72.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
160 ft7 ft
Total Climb
208 ft
Total Descent
328 ft
Highest Point
160 ft
~10.4 mi in
Elevation Range
153 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middletown, NJ and Camden, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp South: Trenton, Njtp South: Camden and Wilmington.
Middletown is a bedroom community of New York City in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Middletown sits on the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region. This article also covers Highlands borough.
Residents like Middletown for its central location and proximity to the rest of the Jersey Shore.
Top landmarks
•Sandy Hook Light — lighthouse in New Jersey, United States
•All Saint's Memorial Church — historic church in Navesink, New Jersey
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 43m. Total distance: 72.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). 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 Camden, 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 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 Camden, NJ before heading back.
