Day Trip to Belmar
From Philadelphia • 1hr 25min drive
Give it 1hr 25min from the bridges and Belmar delivers what the closer Shore Points can't — start with D'Jais.
Timing it: Leave by 8:20 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 Philadelphia
car
1hr 25min
I-195 east toward the shore, then pick up Route 34/35 or the Garden State Parkway south (Exit 98).
💡 Minimal tolls on the I-195 routing.
Doing Belmar without your own car?
The train and bus get you to town. A one-day rental from Philadelphia gets you to the beaches the schedules skip.
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Your Belmar Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave Philadelphia
The drive runs about 1hr 25min — leaving by 8:20 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 Philadelphia
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).
- Minimal tolls on the I-195 routing.
- With only 1hr 25min of driving, this works as a spontaneous trip — even a 9 AM decision still gets you a full beach day.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
By 4 PM the 1hr 25min drive home looms — unless you stay, and Belmar turns into two beach days. Reserve before you leave — Belmar summer weekends fill early.
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