Closest NJ shore spot from Mont. Co.?

[backtophilly]

Hi, we just moved to Glenside and are wondering from this area, what folks find to be the quickest NJ shore to go to for a day trip? We went to Ocean City on Thursday with out-of-town guest and despite not bad traffic, it took a good half hour longer than we'd been hoping. We started wondering, maybe we're oriented too far south from having lived in Media (we often went to Cape May from there too) and would it be quicker to head across Trenton and I295 to one of the more northern shores? We know you often can't tell based on mileage alone, so are hoping to benefit from the experiences of others.

In terms of what type of shore town we're looking for, we're pretty flexible - we don't have kids, so we don't need amusement parks and such, tho' we do enjoy a boardwalk if possible and some good old fashioned custard and fudge shops and an arcade somewhere or other are always appreciated!

[NJbound]

try seaside or point pleasant..

[backtophilly]

Thanks. Any estimate of how long they would take? We're average-speed drivers, not particularly slow or fast.

[Dayman]

Hour to an hour and a half.

You can get there in 45 minutes if you go Jersey speed.

[Zep]

Hour to an hour and a half.

You can get there in 45 minutes if you go Jersey speed.

Ludicrous speed: GO.

[duderino]

Hi, we just moved to Glenside and are wondering from this area, what folks find to be the quickest NJ shore to go to for a day trip? We went to Ocean City on Thursday with out-of-town guest and despite not bad traffic, it took a good half hour longer than we'd been hoping. We started wondering, maybe we're oriented too far south from having lived in Media (we often went to Cape May from there too) and would it be quicker to head across Trenton and I295 to one of the more northern shores? We know you often can't tell based on mileage alone, so are hoping to benefit from the experiences of others.

In terms of what type of shore town we're looking for, we're pretty flexible - we don't have kids, so we don't need amusement parks and such, tho' we do enjoy a boardwalk if possible and some good old fashioned custard and fudge shops and an arcade somewhere or other are always appreciated!

I know this thread is old but . . . beach weather is right around the corner. So - If you take the Turnpike to the Turnpike to 195 and head for Belmar you should get there in a reliable 80 minutes or so. Compared to the other beach destinations hardly anyone else is going that way. Belmar can be kind of guido-tastic (nothing like Sleazeside Heights, though) but the remedy for that is to go north to Avon, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove or Asbury. The further north the more diverse/gay friendly it gets. The further south - to Spring Lake or Sea Girt - the quieter it gets. Sea Girt has no boardwalk and Spring Lake has sparse amenities. My vote is for Asbury. Downtown Asbury and Bradley are quite a few blocks from the beach and have restaurant/bar scenes removed from swim trunks and sandals.

BTW - New Jersey only has one shore. I think the word you're looking for is "town" or maybe "beach".

[3rd&Brown]

The best route to that part of the shore is Rt 1 North to 29S, which turns into 195 East. you don't need the Turnpikes to do that drive.

And I'd recommend Spring Lake. But I don't really know much about that area of the shore, but I used to work off of Exit 8 of 195, so the shore is about another 25-30 minutes from there, and it took me about 50 minutes to get to work from Center City.

So, the total should be about an hour 15 to an hour 25 to get there from Philly.