Cape May - Lewes Ferry
4.4(95)yelp
FerryCoastWater ActivityScenic LookoutRoad Trip
Overview
The Cape May–Lewes Ferry is a ferry system on the East Coast of the United States that traverses a 17-mile (27 km) crossing of the Delaware Bay connecting North Cape May, New Jersey with Lewes, Delaware. The ferry constitutes a portion of U.S. Route 9 and is the final crossing of the Delaware River-Delaware Bay waterway before it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of only two year-round direct crossings between Delaware and New Jersey, the other being the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeBooking a late afternoon sailing roughly 1.5 hours prior to sunset from May to September is the supreme experience. The 85-minute crossing of the Delaware Bay treated passengers to an unobstructed, panoramic sunset view over the open ocean, frequently enhanced by pods of dolphins swimming alongside.
Getting ThereThe Delaware terminal sits at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes. Vehicles can drive straight onto the vessel (advance online booking required); foot passengers can park for free in the terminal's extensive long-term lots. In summer, DART Route 204 rolls right up to the terminal building for easy transfers.
Travel Tips
- From May through September, vehicle transport (cars, trucks, and RVs) requires a guaranteed online reservation processed at least 14 days out; drive-on standby ticketing is unavailable. Validated vehicles must clear the security staging lanes exactly 45 minutes prior to departure; late arrivals forfeit their slot without refund.
- The Delaware Bay transit corridor is highly susceptible to dense sea fog and sustained winds exceeding 25 knots, causing massive systemic delays or short-notice cancellations. Check the official ferry app at dawn; if flights are scratched, you must instantly pivot to the I-95 terrestrial bypass, which adds over 150 miles to your road trip.
- Upon boarding the vehicle deck, drivers must conform to maritime crew staging directives for tight spatial locking, engage the emergency brake, and cut the ignition. State laws prohibit passengers from remaining inside enclosed vehicles during transit; all guests must ascend to the passenger cabins. Drones are strictly banned onboard.
Reviews
Positive
- A fantastic ferry route linking DE and NJ that avoids major traffic around Philly, all while offering beautiful ocean scenery.
- The ferries are massive and very stable, equipped with cozy A/C lounges, outdoor viewing decks, bars, and clean restrooms.
- The terminals on both ends are highly efficient, providing clear vehicle staging lanes and boasting an excellent on-time record.
- Pods of dolphins are frequently spotted swimming alongside the boat, making it a perfect mini-cruise experience for families with kids.
Heads up
- Transporting a car plus passengers one-way is quite expensive; a family's round-trip cost easily exceeds highway gas and tolls.
- Vehicle slots are extremely tight on summer holiday weekends, requiring weeks of advance booking; walk-ins will be turned away.
- The crossing plus early check-in takes nearly 2 hours, and heavy fog or rough seas can trigger severe delays or cancellations.
- The hot food like burgers and hot dogs on board is overpriced, lines get incredibly long mid-voyage, and the taste is mediocre.