The Cape May-Lewes Ferry links Lewes, Delaware, with Cape May, New Jersey, in about 85 minutes.
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Most coastal travelers asking about the ferry from Delaware to New Jersey mean the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which runs between Lewes, Delaware, and Cape May, New Jersey. The crossing is the practical route if you are moving between the Delaware beaches and the southern Jersey Shore, and it is usually more pleasant than looping north to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
The ferry carries walk-on passengers, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, SUVs, RVs, buses, and larger vehicles. The catch is timing: the ride itself is about 85 minutes, but drivers should plan on terminal check-in, staging, boarding, and unloading too.
For travel dates, route options, and the cleanest way to compare the crossing against driving around the bay, start here:
How Does The Delaware To New Jersey Ferry Work?
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry runs across Delaware Bay between the Lewes Ferry Terminal at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive and the Cape May Ferry Terminal at 1200 Lincoln Boulevard in North Cape May. The route works in both directions, so the same advice applies if you are returning from New Jersey to Delaware.
Drivers check in at the toll booth, get assigned to a staging lane, and then board under crew direction. Walk-on passengers use the terminal ticket counter and board separately from the car deck.
- Crossing time: about 85 minutes once the boat leaves the dock.
- Vehicle arrival target: 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure is the safest planning window.
- Reserved guests: check-in is required 30 minutes before departure.
- Passenger ID: drivers and foot passengers over 14 should have photo ID.
- Pets: pets are permitted on outside decks only.
Reservations are not just for peak weekends. Summer beach traffic can turn a flexible plan into a long wait, especially for cars, RVs, and trailers.
Delaware To New Jersey Ferry Options Compared
The ferry is the most direct water crossing between Lewes and Cape May, but the right setup depends on whether you are walking on, bringing a car, or trying to save cash. Summer 2026 fares are higher than winter fares, so use the numbers below as planning figures and confirm your exact sailing before you reserve.
| Option | Time To Plan | Rough Summer Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adult walk-on passenger | 85-minute sailing, plus terminal time | $11 one way |
| Car under 20 feet with driver | About 2.25 to 2.5 hours door-to-door between terminals | $53-$63 one way with adult driver |
| Car under 20 feet with two adults | About 2.25 to 2.5 hours between terminals | $64-$74 one way |
| Bicycle passenger | 85-minute sailing, plus boarding time | $11 one way for an adult; bike rides free |
| Motorcycle with rider | 85-minute sailing, plus staging time | $46-$52 one way with adult rider |
| Long vehicle 20 to under 25 feet with driver | Extra check-in time helps with loading | $59-$71 one way with adult driver |
| Drive around Delaware Bay | About 2.5 to 3 hours between terminals in light traffic | Fuel, tolls, and parking instead of ferry fare |
The ferry does not always save time after check-in is added. The ferry wins when you want a calmer coastal route, a break from highway driving, or direct access between Lewes and Cape May.
Fares And Schedule Rules That Matter
Cape May-Lewes Ferry prices change by season, vehicle size, passenger type, and travel day. The official Cape May-Lewes Ferry schedules and fares page lists live departure times, terminal details, and current fare rules.
For June 1 through August 31, 2026, the adult one-way fare is $11, children ages 6-13 are $3, and children under 6 ride free. A standard car, SUV, or pickup under 20 feet is listed at $42-$52 one way before passenger fares, with the higher end tied to max pricing and weekend or holiday timing.
Planning note: Vehicle fare and passenger fare are separate. A car fare does not automatically include every person inside the car.
| Traveler Setup | Summer One-Way Fare | What Changes The Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult age 14-61 | $11 | Same base passenger fare on weekdays and weekends |
| Child age 6-13 | $3 | Age controls the discount |
| Child under 6 | Free | Age controls the fare |
| Senior, AAA, military, or first responder | $9 | ID or membership proof is required |
| Standard car under 20 feet | $42-$52 | Base, max, weekend, and holiday pricing |
| Motorcycle | $35-$41 | Base, max, weekend, and holiday pricing |
| Long vehicle 20 to under 25 feet | $48-$60 | Length and travel day |
Taking A Car, Bike, Or Motorcycle
Vehicle travel is the ferry’s strongest use case because it moves your car across the bay while giving everyone a break from driving. Measure carefully if your vehicle has a bike rack, trailer, cargo box, or low clearance.
Cars under 20 feet use the standard vehicle fare. Longer vehicles move into higher bands, and low-clearance vehicles may need extra planning around tide and ramp angle.
Bikes are simpler. Bicyclists pay the passenger fare, and the bicycle itself rides free. Foot passengers can also use free terminal parking, then continue by shuttle, taxi, ride-share, or bike after arrival.
Where To Stay After The Crossing
Cape May is the natural overnight stop after taking the ferry from Delaware into New Jersey. Staying near Cape May keeps you close to the terminal, beaches, Washington Street Mall, Cape May Lighthouse, and the southern end of the Garden State Parkway.
North Cape May is closest to the ferry terminal, while Cape May proper gives better access to restaurants and beach blocks. Wildwood is usually better for lower-cost motels and boardwalk time, but it adds a short drive after you unload.
Compare Cape May stays on a map before locking in your sailing time:
Should You Drive Around Instead?
Driving around Delaware Bay can be faster only when your start and end points sit far north of Lewes and Cape May. For beach-to-beach travel, the ferry is often the cleaner route because it avoids the long loop toward the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Choose the drive-around route if you are late for a fixed appointment, traveling overnight when ferry departures are sparse, or hauling something that needs special clearance. Choose the ferry if your day has room for the crossing and you want to arrive less worn out.
A rental car can make sense if you are walking on from Delaware but need to move around Cape May County after arrival:
Route Verdict By Traveler Type
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is the right pick for most travelers moving between the Delaware beaches and Cape May, but it is not the fastest answer for every itinerary. Use the ferry when the crossing itself fits the day, not when you are trying to shave every minute.
- For beach trips: take the ferry with a reservation, especially June through August.
- For the lowest cash cost: walk on as an adult for $11 one way, then use local transport on the New Jersey side.
- For families with luggage: bring the car and reserve ahead; the extra vehicle cost buys flexibility after arrival.
- For cyclists: the ferry is a strong deal because the bike rides free with the passenger fare.
- For tight schedules: compare the next sailing against the drive around the bay before committing.
- For RVs and trailers: reserve early, measure length, and give yourself a wide check-in window.
The clean plan is simple: reserve the sailing, arrive early, keep photo ID handy, and treat the 85-minute crossing as part of the trip rather than dead time between Delaware and New Jersey.
References & Sources
- Cape May-Lewes Ferry.“Cape May-Lewes Ferry Schedules & Fares.”Supports current sailing times, terminal details, seasonal fare rules, and check-in guidance for the Delaware to New Jersey ferry route.