Connecting the southern tip of New Jersey to the bustling Camden area, this 81.6-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Northeast. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 51 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With fuel costs estimated at $14, it is an economical route that requires little overhead. While the trip is short enough to complete in one go, the mix of local roads and highways keeps the experience varied. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a practical connection between these two distinct New Jersey locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
40.7 mi
48m
Garden State Parkway
9.4 mi
10m
New Stage Road
5.8 mi
9m
Court House South Dennis Road
5.8 mi
9m
North-South Freeway
4.2 mi
5m
North Delsea Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Delsea Drive
2.8 mi
4m
East Creek Mill Road
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 40.7 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Cape May, NJ and Camden, NJ.
1
Start on Pacific Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
1.4 mi·1 min·Lincoln Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·Sandman Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto NJ 109
0.6 mi·1 min·Shore Road
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP NorthUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto GSP
9.4 mi·10 min·Garden State Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 10Toward Stone Harbor, Cape May Court HouseUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto CR 657
0.3 mi·42 sec·Stone Harbor Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CR 657
5.8 mi·9 min·Court House South Dennis Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto NJ 47
4.1 mi·6 min·North Delsea Drive
11
Turn straight onto NJ 347
2.7 mi·4 min·East Creek Mill Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on NJ 347
5.8 mi·9 min·New Stage Road
13
Continue on NJ 47
2.8 mi·4 min·Delsea Drive
14
Continue on NJ 55
41 mi·48 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto NJ 42
3.3 mi·4 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 676
0.9 mi·1 min·North-South Freeway
Exit 2Toward I 676 North: Camden, Ben Franklin BridgeUse the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 3Toward Holtec Boulevard, Port Terminals, Broadway, GloucesterUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
220 ft·7 sec
Toward Holtec Boulevard
19
Turn left onto Morgan Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Morgan Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right onto CR 551
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway
21
Arrive at destination
CR 551
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 51-minute transit, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits your plans. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for directional changes, particularly when transitioning between the local roads and the Garden State Parkway. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the distance is short enough to handle comfortably in one session. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your needs, but keep an eye on your tank before departing North Cape May to avoid unnecessary mid-trip detours. Prioritize clear navigation for the local segments to ensure you stay on track throughout the 81.6-mile journey.
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 40.8 miles from North Cape May, NJ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.7 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.8 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 35m
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 North Cape May, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Cape May, NJ
This is one driving day of about 81.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from North Cape May, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 40.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 80.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Lincoln Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GSP North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP North
8
13.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House
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 10
Toward Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House
9
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 676 / North-South Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 676 / North-South Freeway toward I 676 North: Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward I 676 North: Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge
8
80.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Holtec Boulevard, Port Terminals, Broadway, Gloucester
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 Holtec Boulevard, Port Terminals, Broadw...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.53 one way
$27.06 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.82
$29.63
premium
$4.93
$15.83
$31.65
diesel
$5.61
$18.02
$36.03
Estimated Tolls: $0.56
Garden State Parkway
(9.4 mi)$0.56
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 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
24.5
0
$8.57
$3.92
Efficient EV
20.4
0
$7.14
$3.26
EV Truck/SUV
32.6
0
$11.42
$5.22
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 Mar 9, 2022
Origin
North Cape May, NJ
Night
in North Cape May on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Camden, NJ
Night
in Camden on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Millville, NJ
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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 51m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The route relies on a combination of Veterans Memorial Highway, the Garden State Parkway, and New Stage Road to navigate through the region. Highway driving accounts for only 17% of the total distance, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time on local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 40.7-mile segment on Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a brief respite from the frequent turns. This transition between technical local navigation and faster highway stretches keeps the drive dynamic rather than monotonous.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.7 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Lincoln Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
114 ft7 ft
Total Climb
138 ft
Total Descent
140 ft
Highest Point
114 ft
~57.8 mi in
Elevation Range
106 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Cape May, NJ and Camden, NJ, road signs point toward Stone Harbor and Cape May Court House.
Stone Harbor
13.6 mi in|~19m
Cape May Court House
13.6 mi in|~19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 81.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.7 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.56 in tolls one way, starting with Garden State Parkway. 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.
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 0.5 miles (Lincoln Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 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 Camden, NJ before heading back.
