How far is Menlo Park, NJ from Cape May, NJ?
The driving distance from Menlo Park, NJ to Cape May, NJ is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Menlo Park and Cape May.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menlo Park and Cape May.
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1
Start on Philip Street
897 ft · 36 sec · Philip Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Highway
1174 ft · 26 sec · Lincoln Highway
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3
Turn right onto Wood Avenue
151 m · 22 sec · Wood Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
1240 ft · 46 sec · Middlesex-Essex Turnpike
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward GSP Toll South
1062 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Garden State Parkway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Garden State Parkway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Garden State Parkway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125.2 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Garden State Parkway
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9
Continue on Lafayette Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lafayette Street
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10
Turn left onto Sidney Avenue
84 m · 8 sec · Sidney Avenue
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
89 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
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12
Turn left onto East Street
92 m · 15 sec · East Street
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13
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
99 m · 16 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Reading Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Reading Avenue
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15
Turn left onto New York Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · New York Avenue
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16
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Menlo Park and Cape May.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on Garden State Parkway
125 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Menlo Park and Patchy Fog near Cape May.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Menlo Park to Cape May?
The road trip is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ocean Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.3 miles from Menlo Park and 67.2 miles from Cape May.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.41 one way or $38.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Menlo Park and Patchy Fog near Cape May.
Stop Ideas Near Ocean Acres
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ocean Acres.
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
Absecon
Atlantic City Rail Terminal
Hammonton, New Jersey
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Menlo Park and Cape May. Straight-line distance: 116.6 mi (187.65 km).
#1 Menlo Park
Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 97,687 |
| Coordinates | 40.5651000, -74.3373700 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape May
City in New Jersey
| Population | 3,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.9351100, -74.9060100 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cape May (-74.90601, 38.93511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $19.41 | $38.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $21.85 | $43.69 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $23.53 | $47.06 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $28.41 | $56.81 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Jersey · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.