Meanwhile, the portion between Route 47 in Port Elizabeth and the Garden State Parkway in Middle Township was canceled in 1975 due to the impact the highway would have on the surrounding environment.

[1] Past this interchange, Route 55 enters Millville and crosses over the Manantico Creek as it heads into built-up areas.

The route passes to the east of WheatonArts, which is also home to the Creative Glass Center of America, before turning northwest and crossing into Vineland, where it interchanges with CR 555.

[1][4] The freeway turns to the west past the CR 555 interchange and crosses over Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary railroad line before entering Millville again.

[1][4][5] From Route 47, the freeway enters forested areas again and makes a turn to the north, crossing back into Vineland.

Farther north, a modified cloverleaf interchange serves CR 674 (Garden Road), which provides access to the northern part of Vineland.

Past the Garden Road interchange, Route 55 continues through farmland and woodland, passing to the east of Rudys Airport.

[1][4] Route 55 comes to a diamond interchange with Little Mill Road before entering Clayton and turning to the west.

[7] Past the US 322 interchange, the freeway continues through agricultural areas and enters Mantua Township, where it turns northeast and crosses under CR 553 Alternate.

[1][4] Route 55 passes under Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Vineland Secondary railroad line before intersecting CR 553 again at a modified cloverleaf interchange.

[1][4] Northbound Route 47 heads toward the Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus in Sewell.

In 1972, NJDOT wanted to provide adequate access to the Cape May Peninsula by extending the freeway southeast from the current terminus to the Garden State Parkway in Middle Township.

[24][25][26] In 2009, State Senator Jeff Van Drew introduced a plan for an extension of Route 55 into Cape May County where the South Jersey Transportation Authority would build the road.

[29] However, all of these efforts faced considerable environmental opposition, which has been successful in blocking these plans, which were estimated to cost as much as $2 billion.

The alternative called for park and ride lots to be constructed along the Route 55 corridor, providing access to the line.

[34] Exit numbers are based on the originally planned terminus of Route 55 in Cape May County, a distance of approximately 20 miles (32 km).