Spring Lake to Norfolk: A Coastal Road Trip Guide

The Garden State Parkway begins this 300-mile journey, but it is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that ends it. Crossing the mouth of the bay, you will drive under and over the Atlantic Ocean for 17.6 miles. This is not a typical highway segment; it is an engineering marvel that places you below the waves in tunnels and then launches you onto bridges that seem to float on the horizon.

This guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities will help you navigate more than just the road. You will discover why the question is it worth driving Spring Lake, NJ to Norfolk, VA returns a resounding yes. The route weaves through the Pine Barrens, the Delaware Bay shore, and the Delmarva Peninsula, offering a geography lesson in 4.5 to 5.5 hours of driving.

Your route starts on the Garden State Parkway (GSP) southbound from Spring Lake. Exit 98 at Cape May leads to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, a 70-minute crossing over the Delaware Bay. You do not have to take the ferry; an inland alternative via I-95 through Baltimore adds an hour. The ferry costs around $44 for a car and driver, but it saves fuel and provides a maritime break. Once on the Delmarva Peninsula, you will follow US-9, DE-1, and eventually US-13 south through Maryland and Virginia. The final leg uses I-64 and US-58 into Norfolk, with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as the dramatic conclusion. Tolls total approximately $15, including the bridge-tunnel.

• Garden State Parkway: Tolls $3.50
• Cape May-Lewes Ferry: $44 (car + driver)
• Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: $14

Fuel economy matters on this route: you will find regular stations along US-13, but prices are lower in Delaware due to tax differences. Fill up in Delaware if possible. The drive is moderate; 5 hours without stops, but plan for 7-8 hours with a ferry and breaks. The best stops Spring Lake, NJ to Norfolk, VA include Cape May's Victorian architecture and the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. For those wondering how long to drive Spring Lake, NJ to Norfolk, VA, the answer is 4.5 to 5.5 hours pure driving time.

Sculpted by glaciers and tides, the route showcases the Mid-Atlantic's subtle beauty. The Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey offer dense forests of pitch pine and scrub oak, with the rare pygmy forest at the Warren Grove Recreation Area. Farther south, the Delaware Bay shoreline is a mudflat haven for horseshoe crabs and migrating red knots. The Delmarva Peninsula is agricultural flatland punctuated by cypress swamps and brackish marshes. Virginia's Eastern Shore features the seaside towns of Chincoteague and Assateague, with their wild ponies.

Local commerce along US-13 is dominated by roadside farm stands selling sweet corn, tomatoes, and watermelons in summer. Seafood shacks offer soft-shell crabs, fried oysters, and clam chowder. Do not miss the Wawa convenience stores in New Jersey and Delaware for hoagies and coffee. The culinary infrastructure peaks at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, where you can buy saltwater taffy and fudge. Norfolk's food scene is anchored by the Waterside District's restaurants and the Ghent neighborhood's craft breweries.

The route is punctuated by safe rest areas. In New Jersey, the Forked River rest area on the GSP has bathrooms and vending. Delaware's Smyrna rest area offers a welcome center with maps. The Chesapeake House on the Delaware Memorial Bridge provides a scenic overlook but limited services. For families, the Midway Speedway park in Rehoboth Beach offers mini-golf and go-karts. The C&D Canal Recreation Area allows short walks along the water. Children will enjoy the ferry crossing: watching dolphins and seabirds is common.

Fatigue management is critical. The monotonous straightaways on US-13 can lull drivers. Aim to stop every 90 minutes. The town of Laurel, Delaware has a mural and a park; the town of Onley, Virginia offers a small museum. Pet-friendly frameworks include the Assateague Island National Seashore (leashed pets allowed on beaches) and several rest stops with pet-walking areas. The quality of roads varies: the GSP is smooth, US-13 has occasional rough patches, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel can be windy. Drive cautiously on the bridge: speed limit is 55 mph, and no stopping is allowed.