Trip Report: Family Vacation to Virginia Beach; Part 1; The Travel

Getting to the Ferry

From New York City, we drove about 2.5 hours down the Garden State Parkway to Cape May, NJ. Traffic wasn’t bad at all, and once you get south of exit 40 the drive becomes more scenic, with stretches of marshes and open views. We stayed on the Parkway all the way to exit 0, where the road ends just minutes from the ferry terminal.

We had booked tickets in advance (thankfully), because when we arrived the rep told us our sailing was completely sold out. Pricing isn’t cheap — $33 for a car plus $10 per passenger (one way) — but for us, it was worth it.

At the terminal, we lined up with the other cars and had some time to explore. The area is clean and well-kept, with a nice playground, restrooms, and a terminal building. A great way to let the kids run around before the ride.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry Arriving at the dock

Boarding the Ferry

About 15 minutes before departure, we saw the ferry approaching in the distance and an announcement asked everyone to return to their cars. Police with K9s walked through the lines of vehicles for a quick security check, which honestly made us feel pretty safe.

Boarding started just after 1:00 pm. Driving onto the ferry was straightforward, and once parked, everyone hopped out to explore the boat.

The ferry itself was nicer than I expected — it has a bar, a small restaurant, and even a little gift shop. We had brought our own food, so we set up a picnic outside and enjoyed the views. The actual ride takes about an hour and ten minutes (official trip time of 1.5 hours included boarding and disembarking), and it’s a beautiful trip across the Delaware Bay.

The big catch is that the ferry doesn’t actually save time; in fact, it makes the total trip longer. But it’s also part of the adventure, and for me, it was nice to get a break from driving.

Ferry interior

Driving Through Delaware to Virginia

Once we docked in Lewes, Delaware, Waze showed about 3.5 hours left to Virginia Beach. The first part of the drive took us through quiet roads lined with new housing developments, then onto a state route with lots of traffic lights (a little annoying, especially for about 100 miles). Eventually, we crossed into Virginia.

The highlight was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel — a 20-mile stretch of bridge and tunnel with sweeping views where the bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. We even saw people fishing near the bridge, which I later learned is a popular spot.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

Our Stay at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront

For our stay, we chose the Delta Hotels by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront. At around $220 a night, it seemed like a good deal for a modern property right on the beach. I was also looking for something a bit quieter, and this one looked promising in photos.

Check-in was a bit rocky — there was a long line with only one staff member at the desk, though another person joined a few minutes later to help. As a Marriott Gold Elite member, I asked about a complimentary upgrade, but the front desk agent gave a flat-out “no.” When I asked if I could pay for an upgrade, he actually checked, but nothing worthwhile was available, so we stuck with our original booking.

Thankfully, the room itself was a pleasant surprise. It matched the photos online (not always the case), was clean, and came with a small balcony with a partial beach view. All the rooms here are suites, so we had a living area with couches, a TV, and a mini-fridge, plus a separate hallway leading to the bathroom and beds. It felt roomy and comfortable.

The only downside? It wasn’t nearly as quiet as I had hoped. The hotel was busy, full of families, and there were lots of kids around. Not a deal-breaker, but definitely more lively than I was expecting.

Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites

Final Thoughts

Taking the Cape May–Lewes Ferry made the trip feel less like a long drive and more like part of the adventure. The scenic ride, picnic on the deck, and break from traffic were highlights for us. Virginia Beach itself was fun, and while the hotel experience had its ups and downs, we still had a comfortable stay and made the most of our three days.

Would I recommend the ferry route? If you’re not in a rush and want to add some variety to your trip, definitely. If you just want to get there as fast as possible, stick to I-95.

Continuation coming soon… Part 2 – The Fun at Virginia Beach.