Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
272.3 mi
438 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Traveling from New York City to Camden takes you roughly 272.3 miles across the Northeast, making for a manageable trip that typically lasts 5 hours and 31 minutes. Because of the duration, this route works perfectly as a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You will primarily utilize a combination of NJ 17, NY 17, and the New York State Thruway to navigate the journey. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since you are staying within New York State, the transition between regions is seamless, offering a straightforward path from the metropolitan hub to the more rural landscape of Camden.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
136.2 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 66% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a mix of fast-paced transit and varying road conditions as you transition between the Thruway and secondary highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 117.5 miles along NY 17, which serves as the primary backbone of your journey. While the route maintains a consistent momentum, expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the dense traffic near the city and head toward the quieter stretches leading into Camden. It is a functional, efficient drive designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chambers Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 272.3 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from New York City, NY to Camden, NY, road signs begin pointing toward New York State Thruway North: Albany along the way.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| New York State Thruway | 85.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| NJ 17 | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| NY 49 | 19.3 mi | 28m |
| State Route 49 | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Camden, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn right onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Turn left onto Reade Street
Turn right onto Hudson Street
Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Turn straight onto NJ 3
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on North Genesee Street
Turn right onto Auert Avenue
Take the exit
Merge onto I 790; NY 5
Continue on NY 49
Take the exit onto NY 49; NY 69
At end of road, turn left onto NY 13; NY 69
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5.5-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is the best way to avoid peak traffic congestion near New York City, which can significantly impact your total travel time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 117.5-mile stretch on NY 17 to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic reports or personal preference. Prioritize a mid-route break to ensure you remain alert and comfortable behind the wheel until you reach Camden.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camden, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New York City, NY 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 New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 272.3 miles and 5h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.2 mi from New York City, NY · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.2 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 miles.
The final approach into Camden, NY 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 Camden, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$42.98 one way
$85.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $48.04 | $96.08 |
| premium | $4.86 | $52.11 | $104.22 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $50.32 | $100.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $20.25
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
$43
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.59 | $13.07 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.12 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in New York City on Saturday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Camden on Saturday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Poughkeepsie, NY
136 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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