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Trip from Camden, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

96.8 mi

156 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m

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

city in and county seat of Camden County, New Jersey, United States

Camden, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Elmwood Park, NJ, NJ

Elmwood Park, NJ

Thomas Parker

Trip Overview

The drive from Camden, NJ to Elmwood Park, NJ covers 96.8 miles and takes about 2h 5m 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 mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.05 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

48.4 miles from Camden, NJ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

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
US 1 1.7 mi 2m
NJ 81 0.7 mi 1m
NJ 73 0.7 mi <1m
River Drive 0.6 mi 1m
US 46 0.6 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 Elmwood Park, 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 East Use 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 Malls Use 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 York Use 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 13A Toward Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport Use 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, Downtown Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto US 46

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 46
26

Keep slight right at fork onto US 46

0.3 mi · 20 sec · US 46
Toward US 46 East: Elmwood Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

514 ft · 12 sec
Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood Use the right lane.
28

Turn straight onto CR 507

0.6 mi · 1 min · River Drive
Use the straight lane.
29

Turn right onto CR 56

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Market Street
30

Turn slight left onto CR 105

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Van Riper Avenue
31

Turn left onto South Center Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · South Center Street
32

At end of road, turn right onto Linden Avenue

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Linden Avenue
33

Arrive at destination

Linden 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 48.4 miles from Camden, NJ, or about 1h 2m 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 21 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.4 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmwood Park, 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 96.8 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

48 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

Bristol, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.4 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.

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 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 95.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
7
9.9 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJTP North: New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward NJTP North: New York
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
8
95.6 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward CR 507 North: River Drive, Ridgewood

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.05 one way

$32.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $17.58 $35.15
premium $4.93 $18.77 $37.55
diesel $5.61 $21.37 $42.74

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

$16

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29 0 $10.16 $4.65
Efficient EV 24.2 0 $8.47 $3.87
EV Truck/SUV 38.7 0 $13.55 $6.20

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

Afternoon in Camden on Saturday

Local time

2:35 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmwood Park, NJ

Afternoon in Elmwood Park on Saturday

Local time

2:35 PM

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 5m 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.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 96.8
View on nps.gov
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 near mile 86.8
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

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 ~39 min detour Free near mile 76.8
View on nps.gov
Morristown National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour Free near mile 80.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

96.8 mi in 2h 5m, mostly highway — 66.5 mi of that is on New Jersey Turnpike.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 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 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 Effort 10/10

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 26 significant decision points across 96.8 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 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.9 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 Camden, NJ and Elmwood Park, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike, Njtp North: New York, Newark Airport, Elizabeth Seaport and Downtown.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $9.30 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 Elmwood Park, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Gateway National Recreation Area (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 Elmwood Park, NJ before heading back.

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.

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