Cape May to Southampton: A Scenic Road Trip Guide

Did you know that Cape May, NJ, is the oldest seaside resort in the United States, dating back to 1766? Your road trip to Southampton, NY will take you through a corridor rich in maritime history and coastal beauty, spanning approximately 200 miles. The journey typically takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours of pure driving, but with stops, plan for a full day. This guide ensures you experience the best stops between Cape May, NJ and Southampton, NY, including hidden gems and essential logistics.

The route includes well-maintained highways but watch for congestion near the Bay Bridge and on LI's Sunrise Highway. Use rest areas: Maryland House on I-95, and the Delaware Welcome Center on US-13. For families, stop at the Cape May County Park & Zoo (free) or the Children's Beach House in Lewes. Pet-friendly stops include Cape May's Dog Beach and the ferry which allows dogs. Fatigue management: plan to stop every 2 hours. Dover, DE (mile 60) and Riverhead, NY (mile 180) are ideal break points. For safety, note that US-13 in Delaware has lower speed limits through towns, and the ferry schedule should be checked (weather cancellations possible).

• Rest zones: Dover, DE; Milford, DE; Riverhead, NY.
• Family activities: Funland (Rehoboth), Long Island Aquarium.
• Pet stops: Cape May Dog Park, Hither Hills State Park.

The most efficient route combines the Cape May–Lewes Ferry with US-13, US-50, and the Long Island Expressway (I-495). The ferry saves about 60 miles of driving but adds 85 minutes of sail time. From Lewes, take DE-1 to US-113, then US-13 through Dover and toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Continue on US-50 across the Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, then up through Delaware and New Jersey to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. From there, take the Belt Parkway and Southern State Parkway to Sunrise Highway (NY-27) toward Southampton. Expect tolls: Chesapeake Bay Bridge ($4), Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge ($19), and various NJ/NY tolls. Total fuel cost at $3.50/gallon and 25 mpg is about $35.

• Ferry: Cape May–Lewes Ferry, $44 for car and driver, operates year-round.
• Tolls: ~$30 total, plus E-ZPass convenience.
• Fuel: Fill up before the ferry in Cape May; prices are higher on Long Island.

From the salt marshes of Cape May to the pine barrens of New Jersey and the vineyards of Long Island, the route offers diverse ecosystems. Visit the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge for birding (over 400 species). Between Cape May and Lewes, the ferry provides panoramic views of the Atlantic and Delaware Bay. Once on Long Island, the Hamptons feature glacial moraine hills and pristine beaches. For local commerce, stop at farm stands in Maryland’s Eastern Shore for produce, or the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead for shopping. The culinary scene peaks in the Hamptons with farm-to-table restaurants like The Beacon in Sag Harbor.

• Natural attractions: Cape May Point State Park, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR, Montauk Point.
• Cultural stops: Lewes Historical Society, Cape May Victorian architecture, South Fork Museum.
• Best stops: Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, Bethany Beach, and the quaint town of Greenport.