Day Trip to Long Branch
From Newark • 55min drive
Essex County's shortcut to the sand: Long Branch in 55min, quick enough to decide at breakfast and still beat the badge line.
Timing it: Leave by 8:50 AM to beat both traffic and the parking crunch. Weekdays are noticeably quieter, and September keeps warm water without the crowds.
Getting to Long Branch from Newark
car
55min
Take the Garden State Parkway south from the Newark area to Exit 105.
💡 Parkway tolls — E-ZPass strongly recommended.
train
1hr 25min typical
NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line to Long Branch 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 Long Branch 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.
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Your Long Branch Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave Newark
The drive runs about 55min — leaving by 8:50 AM puts you on the sand by mid-morning, ahead of the lot-fills-up crowd.
Arrive in Long Branch
Park first, then get badges. Local intel: Municipal lot $10 weekdays/$20 weekends. Metered street parking available.
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 Pier Village
Pier Village is the signature stop; Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park 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 Long Branch
Pier Village
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
West End
McLoone's Pier House
Where to Eat in Long Branch
Stingers Burger Bar
Sitting Duck Restaurant
Simply Greek
Sides Grill Diner & Eat Fresh
Practical Information
Parking
Municipal lot $10 weekdays/$20 weekends. Metered street parking available.
Budget
Plan on $50-100 per person all-in. Known costs: $6 beach badge, ~$15 parking; the rest is gas, tolls, and food.
Day Trip Tips
- Daily beach badges in Long Branch run $6 in season. Kids under 14 are free. Bring cash — some badge checkers don't take cards.
- Budget about $15 for a day of parking; meters and lots both fill by late morning.
- Parkway tolls — E-ZPass strongly recommended.
- With only 55min 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 Long Branch — slower than driving, but you skip parking entirely.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
Long Branch moves at an upscale revival pace; a single day only skims it. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park deserves the second one. The 55min drive home can wait until Sunday.
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