Cape May, New Jersey road trip from NYC
Victorian houses, wide beaches and sunsets over Delaware Bay at the southern tip of New Jersey.
- Distance
- 150 mi
- Drive time
- 3h
- Trip length
- Weekend
- Best time
- May to October
The route
Take the Garden State Parkway south all the way to its end, Exit 0, which leads straight into Cape May.
Where to stop
- 1
Asbury Park
Boardwalk, live music history and a good break about an hour from the city.
- 2
Wildwood
A wide free beach and a classic amusement-pier boardwalk.
- 3
Cape May Historic District
Streets of painted Victorian houses, many of them B&Bs.
- 4
Cape May Point
The lighthouse, bird-watching and Sunset Beach.
Where to stay
Victorian B&Bs in the historic district, or beachfront hotels.
Tips before you go
- The Parkway has frequent tolls; E-ZPass saves time.
- Beach tags are required in Cape May in summer.
- Sunset Beach is the place to end the day.
Drive times assume normal traffic from Midtown Manhattan. Check opening hours and conditions before you leave.
More road trips
Hudson Valley & Beacon
The closest real escape from the city: river views, small-town main streets and some of the best hiking within reach of Manhattan.
Montauk & the Hamptons
Ocean beaches, fishing villages and the lighthouse at the very end of Long Island.
The Catskills
Mountain towns, waterfalls and forest roads, with a creative streak inherited from Woodstock.