The drive from Camden, NJ to Ridgewood, NJ covers 102.5 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, Kaighns Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from Camden, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 102.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 102.5 miles, with most of the trip on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New Jersey Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and NJ 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue.
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 27 significant decision points across 102.5 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 miles (NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.3 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3 mi into trip|~6m in|NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping Malls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping Malls
8
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
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 13A
Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport
8
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|NJ 21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21 toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
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 21, US 22: Newark, Downtown
9
95.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Market Street, Paterson, Elmwood Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Market Street, Paterson, Elmwood Park
9
96 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Market Street, Elmwood Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Market Street, Elmwood Park
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Camden, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport, Downtown and Paterson - among others.
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
9.4 mi in|~16m
Njtp North: New York
9.9 mi in|~17m
Newark Airport
76.9 mi in|~1h 36m
Elizabeth Seaport
76.9 mi in|~1h 36m
Downtown
80.3 mi in|~1h 41m|via NJ 21
Paterson
95.7 mi in|~2h 2m
Elmwood Park
95.9 mi in|~2h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
66.5 mi
1h 17m
NJ 21
14.7 mi
20m
Kaighns Avenue
5.9 mi
9m
Maple Avenue
3.1 mi
8m
River Road
1.9 mi
3m
US 1
1.7 mi
2m
River Drive
1.2 mi
1m
NJ 81
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ.
1
Start on CR 551
0.2 mi·20 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Atlantic Avenue
3
Turn left
30 ft·0 sec
4
Turn slight right
477 ft·9 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto South 8th Street
295 ft·5 sec·South 8th Street
6
Turn right onto CR 607
0.7 mi·1 min·Kaighns Avenue
7
Turn left onto CR 608
0.5 mi·1 min·Baird Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 30 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 30
0.5 mi·48 sec·Admiral Wilson Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward NJ 38 East, NJ 70 East: Cherry Hill
11
Continue on NJ 38
0.3 mi·24 sec·Kaighns Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 38
5.0 mi·7 min·Kaighns Avenue
Toward Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Shopping MallsUse the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Toward NJ 73 South: Marlton
14
Merge onto NJ-73
0.5 mi·49 sec·NJ-73
15
Continue on NJ 73
0.7 mi·46 sec·NJ 73
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP: New Jersey Turnpike
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJTP North: New YorkUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJTP
15 mi·16 min·New Jersey Turnpike
19
Keep slight right at fork onto NJTP
52 mi·1 hr·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13AToward Newark Airport, Elizabeth SeaportUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 81
0.7 mi·1 min·NJ 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 1; US 9
1.7 mi·2 min·US 1; US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 21
15 mi·20 min·NJ 21
Toward NJ 21, US 22: Newark, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 46
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 46
26
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 20
0.4 mi·27 sec·McLean Boulevard
Toward NJ 20 North: PatersonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 80: Elmwood Park, PatersonUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
482 ft·11 sec
Toward Market Street, Paterson, Elmwood ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
226 ft·5 sec
Toward Market Street, Elmwood ParkUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on CR 56
463 ft·14 sec·CR 56
31
Turn left onto CR S-69
0.3 mi·42 sec·River Road
32
Continue on CR 507
1.2 mi·1 min·River Drive
33
Continue on CR 507
1.6 mi·2 min·River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto CR 507
3.1 mi·8 min·Maple Avenue
Use the right lane.
35
Turn left onto East Ridgewood Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Ridgewood Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East Ridgewood Avenue
Trip Plan
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 51.2 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgewood, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camden, 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 Camden, NJ
This is one driving day of about 102.5 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Camden, 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 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.2 mi from Camden, NJ
· 1h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 51.2 miles from Camden, NJ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New Jersey Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.
Arriving in Ridgewood, NJ
The final approach into Ridgewood, NJ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Ridgewood, NJ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 77.7
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
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 81.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.99 one way
$33.99 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$18.61
$37.22
premium
$4.93
$19.88
$39.76
diesel
$5.61
$22.63
$45.26
Estimated Tolls: $9.30
New Jersey Turnpike
(66.5 mi)$9.30
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
$17
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.76
$4.92
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.97
$4.10
EV Truck/SUV
41
0
$14.35
$6.56
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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
Camden, NJ
Morning
in Camden on Friday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ridgewood, NJ
Morning
in Ridgewood on Friday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Camden, NJ to Ridgewood, NJ covers 102.5 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New Jersey Turnpike, NJ 21, Kaighns Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.2 miles from Camden, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 102.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (NJ 38 / Kaighns Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.3 miles (NJ 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Camden, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport, Downtown and Paterson - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
