Washington, Morris County, New Jersey
Best day trips from Washington: how to get there and what to see
With a car, the best day trips from Washington, Morris County are Morristown (20–25 min), the Delaware Water Gap and the Jersey Shore; without one, take NJ Transit from Netcong or Hackettstown to Morristown, Hoboken or New York. Skip the far trips if you have no car and no early train.
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Key facts
- Best trip with a car
- Delaware Water Gap or the Jersey Shore; 45–90 min each way
- Best trip without a car
- NJ Transit from Netcong or Hackettstown to Morristown, Hoboken or New York
- Shortest worthwhile trip
- Morristown, about 20–25 min by car
- Typical day length
- Half day for Morristown; a full day for the shore or the Gap
- Car needed
- Yes for the Water Gap, the shore and most county parks
- Parking at trailheads
- Lots fill by mid-morning on weekends; arrive before 9am
- Tolls and fares
- NJ Transit one-way fares are distance-based; 2026 estimate
Options at a glance
Distances are straight-line estimates from the Washington area; drive times assume no heavy traffic. Fares are 2026 estimates — check NJ Transit before you travel.
| Trip | Getting there | Time each way | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | Car, or NJ Transit from Netcong/Hackettstown | 20–25 min by car; 30–45 min by train | Train fare, check |
| Delaware Water Gap | Car on I-80 | 45–60 min | Fuel and tolls, check |
| Jersey Shore (Asbury Park area) | Car, or train with a change | 75–90 min by car | Fuel, tolls and fare, check |
| New York City | NJ Transit to Hoboken, then PATH | 2–2.5 h door to door | Two fares, check |
| Randolph and county parks | Car | 15–25 min | Free to low cost |
| Princeton | Car, or train with a change | 60–75 min by car | Fuel and fare, check |
The trips in detail
Morristown is the easiest win: a walkable green with the Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow unit of Morristown National Historical Park, plus a compact downtown for lunch. Half a day covers the history; add the afternoon if you want the trails.
The Delaware Water Gap is the pick for scenery. The Kittatinny Point area and the Appalachian Trail viewpoints sit right off I-80, and longer walks run along the river. Go early — the lots and the river beaches fill on summer weekends.
The Jersey Shore works as a full day if you leave by 8am. Asbury Park and the towns north of it give you boardwalk, beach and food without the longer drive to the southern shore. Summer weekend traffic on the Garden State Parkway is the main risk.
New York City is doable but long: drive or take NJ Transit to a rail hub, then PATH or NJ Transit into Manhattan. Budget 2–2.5 hours each way and pick one neighbourhood rather than trying to cover the city.
Closer to home, Randolph and the Morris County park system give you an easy half day: trails, a lake and picnic tables with no planning. Princeton suits a rainy day — campus, museums and a walkable centre.
What a day costs
With a car, the main costs are fuel, tolls and parking. Without one, it is train and PATH fares. Figures below are 2026 estimates — check current prices before you commit.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel, 100 km round trip | US$10–15 |
| Tolls, Garden State Parkway or I-80 | US$5–15 |
| Parking, shore or trailhead | US$0–20 |
| NJ Transit one-way, short trip | US$5–10 |
| NJ Transit one-way, longer trip | US$10–20 |
| PATH train | US$3–4 |
| Lunch, casual | US$15–25 |
Practical tips
- Leave before 8am on summer weekends; the shore and the Water Gap both jam after 10am.
- Check NJ Transit weekend schedules — some lines run hourly or less.
- Keep quarters or a card for metered parking in Morristown and Princeton.
- Fill the tank the night before; rural stretches have fewer stations.
- Download an offline map: signal drops in the Water Gap and along the shore.
FAQ
Answers to the questions readers ask most about day trips from Washington.
Questions people ask
What are the best day trips from Washington?
Morristown for history and a half day, the Delaware Water Gap for scenery, and the Jersey Shore for a full summer day. New York City is possible but takes 2–2.5 hours each way.
Can I visit these places without a car?
Partly. NJ Transit from Netcong or Hackettstown reaches Morristown, Hoboken and New York. The Water Gap, the shore and most county parks need a car or a long taxi ride.
How long do day trips from Washington take?
Morristown is a half day, about 20–25 minutes each way by car. The Water Gap and the shore are full days, 45–90 minutes each way. New York City is a long day, 2–2.5 hours each way.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Usually no. Parking lots and beach badges are the exceptions — arrive early on summer weekends. Check NJ Transit schedules the day before if you are going by train.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNJ Transit
- officialNational Park Service – Morristown
- officialNational Park Service – Delaware Water Gap
- officialNew Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage – New Jersey