This straightforward 74.3-mile drive from Plainfield, NJ, to Camden, NJ, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 41 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing the New Jersey Turnpike, this route is focused on efficient travel between two points within the Northeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $12, it's a budget-friendly option for getting from point A to point B. You won't need to worry about overnight stays for this journey; it's designed for a single, direct trip. Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of your travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Plainfield, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
48.2 mi
55m
Kaighns Avenue
7.5 mi
12m
Hoes Lane
6 mi
7m
East Front Street
3.8 mi
8m
Old New Brunswick Road
1.7 mi
3m
State Route 18
1.2 mi
2m
New Market Road
1 mi
2m
NJ 73
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 48.2 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield, NJ and Camden, NJ.
1
Start on Leland Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·Leland Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 620
3.8 mi·8 min·East Front Street
3
Continue on NJ 28
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 529
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Washington Avenue
5
Turn right onto CR 665
1.0 mi·2 min·New Market Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on CR 665
352 ft·11 sec·Lakeview Avenue
7
Turn right onto CR 665
0.7 mi·1 min·Stelton Road
8
Turn right onto Old New Brunswick Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Old New Brunswick Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on NJ 18
6.0 mi·7 min·Hoes Lane
10
Continue on NJ 18; CR 527
1.2 mi·2 min·State Route 18
Use the right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
225 ft·5 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
31 mi·36 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
17 mi·19 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 4Toward NJ 73: Mount Laurel, Camden
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NJ 73 North: CamdenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 73
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 73
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on NJ-73
0.6 mi·52 sec·NJ-73
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·43 sec
Toward NJ 38 West: Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge
21
Merge onto NJ 38
5.6 mi·8 min·Kaighns Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 130
189 ft·6 sec·South Crescent Boulevard
Toward US 130 South, US 30 East
23
Turn slight right onto CR 607
1.9 mi·3 min·Kaighns Avenue
24
Turn left onto CR 551
0.3 mi·32 sec·Broadway
25
Arrive at destination
CR 551
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 41-minute trip, flexibility is your advantage. You can easily depart at your convenience without needing to break up the journey. Given the route's highway focus, plan to refuel before hitting the New Jersey Turnpike, as services can be spread out on the longest stretches. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially if departing during peak commuting hours in the Northeast region. A specific tip: be aware of the toll plazas on the New Jersey Turnpike; having an E-ZPass or cash ready will streamline your passage.
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 37.1 miles from Plainfield, NJ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 37.1 miles or 53m 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 23m
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 Plainfield, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plainfield, NJ
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Plainfield, 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 48.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.2 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NJTP Toll, I 95 Toll: New Jersey Turnpik...
8
15.6 mi into trip|~27m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
6
15.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
64.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
72 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.49
$26.98
premium
$4.93
$14.41
$28.82
diesel
$5.61
$16.40
$32.81
Estimated Tolls: $6.75
New Jersey Turnpike
(48.2 mi)$6.75
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
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.57
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
EV Truck/SUV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Plainfield, NJ
Morning
in Plainfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Camden, NJ
Morning
in Camden on Tuesday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
West Windsor, NJ
37 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 41m 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.
Morristown National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Partial Reopening: Cross Estate Gardens
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the 74.3 miles on high-speed roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be a substantial 48.2 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route involves following major arteries like the New Jersey Turnpike, you'll also encounter local roads such as Kaighns Avenue and Hoes Lane closer to your destination. This blend means you'll experience efficient highway miles interspersed with more varied driving as you approach Camden.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.2 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 Kaighns Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.2 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 74.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 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 Plainfield, NJ and Camden, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp Toll, Njtp South: Trenton, 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 1h 41m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.75 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.
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 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (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.
