Day Trip to Wildwood
From Philadelphia • 1hr 20min drive
Give it 1hr 20min from the bridges and Wildwood delivers what the closer Shore Points can't — start with Morey's Piers.
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 Wildwood from Philadelphia
car
1hr 20min
Atlantic City Expressway east, then the Garden State Parkway south (Exit 4). Route 55 to Route 47 is the classic back-road alternative to Cape May County.
💡 Bridge, Expressway, and Parkway tolls along the way — E-ZPass recommended.
bus
2hr 5min typical
NJ Transit bus routes 313, 315, 316 serve Wildwood from the Philadelphia side.
💰 $10-20 one way
Doing Wildwood 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.
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Your Wildwood Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave Philadelphia
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 Wildwood
Park first, then get badges. Local intel: Free street parking available away from boardwalk. Paid lots near boardwalk $10-25/day.
Beach time
Claim your spot while the good stretches are still open
⏱️ 2 hours
🏖️ Afternoon
Lunch
Grab a casual lunch at a local spot
Boardwalk rides
Hit the amusement piers for roller coasters and games
⏱️ 2-3 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 Wildwood
Morey's Piers
Wildwood Boardwalk
Doo Wop Experience Museum
Dragon's Lair Black Light Mini Golf
Breakfast in the Sky
Where to Eat in Wildwood
Stephen's Restaurant
Star Beach Bar
South Dock Cafe & Marina
Sophia's Ice Cream
Practical Information
Parking
Free street parking available away from boardwalk. Paid lots near boardwalk $10-25/day.
Budget
Plan on $50-100 per person all-in. Known costs: free beaches, ~$20 parking; the rest is gas, tolls, and food.
Day Trip Tips
- Wildwood's beaches are free — no badge required.
- Budget about $20 for a day of parking; meters and lots both fill by late morning.
- Bridge, Expressway, and Parkway tolls along the way — E-ZPass 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.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
Two beach days for one 1hr 20min round trip is the overnight math — Wildwood Boardwalk fills day two. 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
Wildwood Day Trip FAQ
More Day Trips
Make the Wildwood Trip Easy
Get the free Shore Insider Guide — badge savings, packing lists, and booking timing — plus seasonal planning tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.