Day Trip to Belmar
From New York City • 1hr 20min drive
For Manhattanites, Belmar is the quick escape: 1hr 20min of driving lands you on a beach party stretch of Monmouth County sand.
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 Belmar from New York City
car
1hr 20min
Take the NJ Turnpike or Route 440 to the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 98.
💡 Parkway tolls — E-ZPass strongly recommended.
train
1hr 50min typical
NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line to Belmar station from Penn Station New York. 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 Belmar without your own car?
The train and bus get you to town. A one-day rental from New York City gets you to the beaches the schedules skip.
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Your Belmar Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave New York City
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 Belmar
Park first, then get badges. Local intel: Metered parking east of Ocean Ave. Free parking west of Ocean Ave (fills early).
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 D'Jais
D'Jais is the signature stop; Bar A (Bar Anticipation) 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 New York City
Depart after dinner and the drive home stays easy.
Top Things to Do in Belmar
D'Jais
Bar A (Bar Anticipation)
NJ Sandcastle Contest
9th Avenue Pier
Beach Haus Brewery
Where to Eat in Belmar
Spring Lake Wall Sandwiches
Sonny's Grille
Shep's Sandwiches
Sharky's Ocean Bar & Grill
Practical Information
Parking
Metered parking east of Ocean Ave. Free parking west of Ocean Ave (fills early).
Budget
Plan on $50-100 per person all-in. Known costs: $12 beach badge; the rest is gas, tolls, and food.
Day Trip Tips
- Daily beach badges in Belmar run $12 in season. Kids under 13 are free. Bring cash — some badge checkers don't take cards.
- Parking: Metered parking east of Ocean Ave. Free parking west of Ocean Ave (fills early).
- 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 Belmar — slower than driving, but you skip parking entirely.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
One afternoon samples Belmar; it doesn't finish it. An overnight adds Bar A (Bar Anticipation), and a dinner at Spring Lake Wall Sandwiches nobody rushes. Summer Saturdays in Belmar book out first.
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