Cape May–Lewes ferry schedule and guide
The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) runs the Cape May–Lewes ferry, a car and passenger ferry across Delaware Bay between North Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware. The Cape May–Lewes ferry crossing covers 17 miles and takes about 85 minutes. DRBA recommends reservations but does not require them.
Fuel surcharge for travel beginning October 12
Due to rising fuel costs, the Cape May–Lewes Ferry will implement a temporary fuel surcharge for travel beginning October 12, 2026.
Reservations for travel in October will include a $7 fuel surcharge per crossing ($14 round trip).
Reservations for travel on or after November 1 will include a $9 fuel surcharge per crossing ($18 round trip).
The fuel surcharge is expected to remain in effect through December 31, 2026 and may change based on fuel costs.
Schedule up to date as of November 2, 2026
Contents
Cape May–Lewes ferry schedule Winter 2026–2027
The Winter 2026–2027 schedule runs from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Departures from Cape May, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Lewes |
| 10:30 AM | Lewes |
| 2:30 PM | Lewes |
| 6:00 PM | Lewes |
Departures from Lewes, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | Cape May |
| 12:15 PM | Cape May |
| 4:15 PM | Cape May |
| 7:45 PM | Cape May |
Days with 6 sailings each way
This schedule replaces the Winter 2026–2027 schedule on November 1, 2026 to November 2, 2026; November 6, 2026 to November 8, 2026; November 29, 2026; December 18, 2026 to December 20, 2026; March 12, 2027 to March 13, 2027; March 19, 2027 to March 21, 2027; March 25, 2027 to March 26, 2027; March 29, 2027.
Departures from Cape May
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Lewes |
| 9:30 AM | Lewes |
| 10:30 AM | Lewes |
| 1:00 PM | Lewes |
| 2:30 PM | Lewes |
| 6:00 PM | Lewes |
Departures from Lewes
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | Cape May |
| 11:15 AM | Cape May |
| 12:15 PM | Cape May |
| 2:45 PM | Cape May |
| 4:15 PM | Cape May |
| 7:45 PM | Cape May |
Days with 7 sailings each way
This schedule replaces the Winter 2026–2027 schedule on November 25, 2026; November 27, 2026 to November 28, 2026; December 26, 2026 to December 27, 2026; March 27, 2027 to March 28, 2027.
Departures from Cape May
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Lewes |
| 9:30 AM | Lewes |
| 10:30 AM | Lewes |
| 1:00 PM | Lewes |
| 2:30 PM | Lewes |
| 4:30 PM | Lewes |
| 6:00 PM | Lewes |
Departures from Lewes
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | Cape May |
| 11:15 AM | Cape May |
| 12:15 PM | Cape May |
| 2:45 PM | Cape May |
| 4:15 PM | Cape May |
| 6:15 PM | Cape May |
| 7:45 PM | Cape May |
Thanksgiving Day
This schedule replaces the Winter 2026–2027 schedule on November 26, 2026.
Departures from Cape May
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Lewes |
| 10:30 AM | Lewes |
| 6:00 PM | Lewes |
Departures from Lewes
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | Cape May |
| 12:15 PM | Cape May |
| 7:45 PM | Cape May |
Christmas Day
This schedule replaces the Winter 2026–2027 schedule on December 25, 2026.
Departures from Cape May
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Lewes |
| 10:30 AM | Lewes |
| 6:00 PM | Lewes |
Departures from Lewes
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:45 AM | Cape May |
| 12:15 PM | Cape May |
| 7:45 PM | Cape May |
Cape May–Lewes ferry fares
| Fare type | Winter 2026–2027, from November 1 |
|---|---|
| Passengers, one way | |
| Adult (14 to 61) | $9.00 |
| Senior (62 and over) | $7.00 |
| Military, first responder or AAA adult member (ID required) | $7.00 |
| Child (6 to 13) | Free |
| Child (under 6) | Free |
| Passengers, round trip | |
| Adult (14 to 61) | $16.00 |
| Senior (62 and over) | $13.00 |
| Military, first responder or AAA adult member (ID required) | $13.00 |
| Vehicles, one way | |
| Car, SUV or pickup truck (under 20 feet) | $24.00 |
| Motorcycle | $20.00 |
| 3-wheel motorcycle or motorcycle with trailer | $21.00 |
| Scooter | $11.00 |
| Long vehicle (20 to under 25 feet) | $29.00 |
| Long vehicle (25 to under 35 feet) | $39.00 |
| Long vehicle (35 to under 45 feet) | $46.00 |
| Long vehicle (45 to under 60 feet) | $59.00 |
| Long vehicle (60 feet or longer) | $85.00 |
| Vehicles, round trip | |
| Car, SUV or pickup truck (under 20 feet) | $46.00 |
- Fares are the same on weekdays and weekends. Vehicle fares do not include the driver, who pays a passenger fare. Vehicle fares shown are DRBA's base prices; DRBA also publishes a higher maximum price for each vehicle. Bicycles ride free with a passenger fare. Published fares do not include the fuel surcharge, which DRBA shows during booking.
Cape May–Lewes ferry details
| Operator | Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 85 minutes |
| Distance | 17 miles across Delaware Bay |
| Vessels | MV Cape Henlopen, MV Delaware and MV New Jersey. Each vessel carries up to 100 vehicles and 800 passengers. |
| Vehicles | Cars, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, buses and trucks under 13 feet 6 inches tall and under 100 feet long. Drivers of vehicles over 18 feet book the length to the nearest foot, rounded up. Vehicles wider than 8 feet 6 inches book by phone and pay for the extra lane. |
| Reservations | Recommended, not required. DRBA takes reservations online and at 800-643-3779. Standby tickets are sold at the toll booth, first come, first served, for vehicles under 20 feet only. DRBA charges a no-show fee for a missed reservation that was not changed in advance. |
| Photo ID | Required for drivers and for foot passengers 14 and over |
| Bicycles | Free with a passenger fare. Cyclists check in at the ticket counter, walk their bicycles aboard and lock them in the racks on the car deck. DRBA provides no locks. |
| Pets | Pets ride in vehicles or on the exterior decks, on a leash or in a carrier. Pets stay out of indoor lounges and food areas, though DRBA allows them in salon seating in bad weather and in winter. Service animals can go anywhere riders go. |
| Accessibility | The vessels have no elevator, and the car deck connects to the passenger decks by 24 stairs. Riders who cannot use stairs board through the terminal elevators and the Skywalk. Staff drive standard vehicles on and off for drivers who ask in advance at 800-643-3779. |
| Restrooms and food on board | Every vessel has restrooms, a gift shop, a food court and an indoor bar on the second deck. The Lido Bar on the third deck opens in summer. Riders can bring their own food and nonalcoholic drinks, but no outside alcohol. |
Cape May ferry terminal parking and directions
The Cape May ferry terminal is at 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204, at the southern tip of New Jersey. Drivers reach it from Garden State Parkway Exit 0 and follow the ferry signs after the toll plaza.
Parking at the Cape May ferry terminal is free. Foot passengers stay in the far right lane, follow the Foot Passenger Parking signs and keep to the right of the toll booths. Overnight parking is free for riders with a round-trip ticket, who register the vehicle's state and plate at the ticket counter before boarding.
NJ TRANSIT bus route 552 links the Cape May ferry terminal with Wildwood, Rio Grande and Cape May City. Stowaways Restaurant and Bar and Stowaways Cafe serve food inside the terminal, and the grounds have free mini golf.
Lewes ferry terminal parking and directions
The Lewes ferry terminal is at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958, near Cape Henlopen State Park. From Coastal Highway (Route 1), drivers follow the signs for the Lewes Historic District onto Cape Henlopen Drive.
Parking at the Lewes ferry terminal is free. Foot passengers use the second entrance on Cape Henlopen Drive, marked by a blue Foot Passenger Parking Lot sign, not the toll booth entrance.
DART First State Route 204 stops at the Lewes ferry terminal entrance and connects to downtown Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. Grain On the Rocks and Lewes Coffee Company serve food at the terminal.
How early to arrive for the Cape May–Lewes ferry
DRBA asks drivers to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure and check in at the toll booth. Reserved riders must check in at least 30 minutes before departure. About 20 minutes before departure, staff call drivers back to their vehicles for boarding.
Foot passengers check in at the ticket counter inside the terminal. Security screening opens 45 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before. Foot passengers can bring up to 2 carry-on bags.
The Cape May–Lewes ferry sells out regularly, most often from spring into early fall. Drivers without a reservation get the next open sailing and wait on standby for earlier ones. A standby ticket is refunded in full if the vehicle does not get on.
DRBA can postpone, combine or cancel sailings in bad weather. DRBA notifies reserved riders by email, text or phone, and active alerts appear at the top of this page.
Cape May–Lewes ferry FAQs
How long is the Cape May–Lewes ferry ride?
The Cape May–Lewes ferry crossing takes about 85 minutes. The Cape May–Lewes ferry covers 17 miles across Delaware Bay.
Does the Cape May–Lewes ferry run year round?
DRBA schedules Cape May–Lewes ferry sailings every day of the year. The number of sailings changes by season and by date, and the schedule on this page shows each day.
Does the Cape May ferry need a reservation?
The Cape May–Lewes ferry does not require a reservation, but DRBA recommends one for every trip. Standby tickets are sold at the toll booth for vehicles under 20 feet only.
How much is the Cape May–Lewes ferry?
Cape May–Lewes ferry fares depend on the season, the rider's age and the vehicle's length. Children 13 and under ride free. Published fares do not include the fuel surcharge, which DRBA shows during booking.
Can pets ride the Cape May–Lewes ferry?
Pets can ride the Cape May–Lewes ferry in vehicles or on the exterior decks, on a leash or in a carrier. Pets stay out of indoor lounges and food areas, except salon seating in bad weather and in winter.
Is there overnight parking at the Lewes and Cape May ferry terminals?
Both Cape May–Lewes ferry terminals have free overnight parking for riders with a round-trip ticket. Riders register the vehicle's state and plate at the ticket counter before boarding.
Is there food on the Cape May–Lewes ferry?
Every Cape May–Lewes ferry vessel has a food court and an indoor bar on the second deck. The Lido Bar on the third deck opens in summer.