Day Trip to Bay Head
From Newark • 1hr 20min drive
Bay Head might be the best proximity-to-payoff ratio in North Jersey — 1hr 20min from the Newark area to an exclusive & quiet beach day.
Timing it: Leave by 8:25 AM to beat both traffic and the parking crunch. Weekdays are noticeably quieter, and September keeps warm water without the crowds.
Getting to Bay Head from Newark
car
1hr 20min
Take the Garden State Parkway south from the Newark area to Exit 98.
💡 Parkway tolls — E-ZPass strongly recommended.
train
1hr 50min typical
NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line to Bay Head station from Newark Penn Station. Some trains require a change at Long Branch.
💰 $15-25 one way
💡 Summer weekend schedules differ from weekday — check NJ Transit before you commit.
Doing Bay Head without your own car?
The train and bus get you to town. A one-day rental from Newark gets you to the beaches the schedules skip.
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Your Bay Head Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave Newark
The drive runs about 1hr 20min — leaving by 8:25 AM puts you on the sand by mid-morning, ahead of the lot-fills-up crowd.
Arrive in Bay Head
Park first, then get badges. Local intel: Very limited parking. Street meters only. Resident permits for much of town.
Beach time
Claim your spot while the good stretches are still open
⏱️ 2 hours
🏖️ Afternoon
Lunch
Grab a casual lunch at a local spot
See Bay Head Beach
Bay Head Beach is the signature stop; Main Street is worth folding in if you have the energy.
⏱️ 2 hours
Late beach or activity
Another swim or one more stop before dinner
🌅 Evening
Early dinner
Eat before the drive home to avoid rush
Head back to Newark
Depart after dinner and the drive home stays easy.
Top Things to Do in Bay Head
Bay Head Beach
Main Street
Twilight Lake
Where to Eat in Bay Head
Theresa's
Mueller's Bakery
Bay Head Yacht Club
Nearby Point Pleasant Dining
Practical Information
Parking
Very limited parking. Street meters only. Resident permits for much of town.
Budget
Plan on $50-100 per person all-in. Known costs: $15 beach badge; the rest is gas, tolls, and food.
Day Trip Tips
- Daily beach badges in Bay Head run $15 in season. Kids under 12 are free. Bring cash — some badge checkers don't take cards.
- Parking: Very limited parking. Street meters only. Resident permits for much of town.
- Parkway tolls — E-ZPass strongly recommended.
- With only 1hr 20min of driving, this works as a spontaneous trip — even a 9 AM decision still gets you a full beach day.
- No car? The North Jersey Coast Line stops at Bay Head — slower than driving, but you skip parking entirely.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
Bay Head moves at an exclusive & quiet pace; a single day only skims it. Main Street deserves the second one. Book early — good weekends vanish by spring.
Popular hotels:
Book Your Stay
Check AvailabilityFree cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Bay Head Day Trip FAQ
More Day Trips
Make the Bay Head Trip Easy
Get the free Shore Insider Guide — badge savings, packing lists, and booking timing — plus seasonal planning tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.