The best way to see Cape May is to walk through town. But before you can hit the streets, you need to get out of your car. This page contains information on parking in Cape May, including parking meters and accessible parking.
Speed limit change: In October 2022, Cape May City lowered the maximum speed limit for all streets under their authority to 20mph, with lower speeds of 10-15mph on certain streets. [Ord. No. 478-2022]
Parking meter change: Beginning in 2024, more parking areas are transitioning to digital payments using the Parkmobile App. See the list
During the summer, finding parking places in Cape May can be a challenge. There's heavy traffic in the center of town and limited spaces available. The majority of parking spaces in this area are metered. The good news is that no matter where you park in Cape May, you're probably not more than a 20-minute walk to the center of town.
Parking meters activate city-wide on April 1st.
2024 update: Not all standalone meters accept quarters. Beginning in 2024, certain meters only accept digital payments through the Parkmobile app (see below for the list). Multi-meters accept credit/debit cards and work with the Parkmobile app. There is a five-minute grace period on meters.
To the best of our knowledge, from 10am to 10pm, Cape May parking meters cost $1.50 per hour (25 cents for every 10 minutes) except for the exceptions below.
The following streets cost $2.00 an hour:
Metered Parking 10am to 5pm ($1.50 an hour)
Metered Parking 10am to 6pm ($1.50 an hour)
During the summer months, free parking is offered in the Cape May Elementary School lot on Lafayette Street (at the Madison Street intersection). When school is in session, free parking is available Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is free until 11pm. Overnight parking in the school lot is not permitted.
There are also free parking spaces on many side streets throughout town. These typically fill up early in the morning, but if you don't mind driving around, you can find occasional spaces open during the day.
All parking is free in West Cape May. If you don't mind a short walk, you can park on any of the shady side streets and save some money.
Parking is available in the lot at Washington Commons, where Acme grocery store is located, for an hourly rate. The Washington Commons lot closes at 11pm and is not intended for overnight parking. During the winter months, this parking lot does not charge.
Parking in the Bank Street Lot is by permit only in-season (dates are posted on the sign). Don't risk it without a pass. You'll get a ticket.
In the evenings, several businesses offer parking spaces for a flat fee (usually between $7 and $10). While this isn't necessarily more economical, it can be less of a headache.
Due to the historic nature of the town, not all Cape May accommodations are able to offer on-site parking (cars weren't around when some of them were built). Always ask your accommodation about parking. Many have parking permits for lots around Cape May or they may offer valet parking. In some cases, you're on your own and must find parking for the duration of your stay. In this case, we recommend finding a free spot early in the morning, parking your car, and only moving it if absolutely necessary. Parking in West Cape May is a great option if you don't mind a short walk!
There are accessible parking spaces available throughout Cape May. The use of these spaces is restricted to persons with a disability who properly display a wheelchair symbol license plate, disability placard, or parking permit issued by the State of New Jersey, any other state/district/territory of the United States, or Canada. The person must be the driver OR passenger of the vehicle. [NJ.S.A. 39:4 205]
In Cape May City, persons with a disability with proper signage on their vehicles are exempt from parking meter fees. Here's the information straight out of the city code:
Cape May City Code
Chapter 7 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
7-51.6 Exemptions from parking meter fees.Handicapped persons shall mean a person as defined in N.J.S.A. 39:4-204. Handicapped persons properly displaying a special license plate or placard or parking permit issued by the State of New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 39:4-205 or any other state, district or territory of the United States, or by Canada in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-207.5 shall not be required to pay parking meter fees.
A. Display of placard or wheelchair symbol license plate. The windshield placard must be clearly visible through the front windshield of the vehicle. The wheelchair symbol license plate must be attached to the rear and front (rear only for states or districts which only issue one (1) license plate) of the vehicle for which the same are issued in a manner that they can be clearly and plainly seen.
B. Limits of applicability. Exemption from parking meter fees shall only apply to a vehicle properly displaying a placard and/or wheelchair license plate when the handicapped person to whom the same is issued is the driver or passenger.
C. Time Limit. Any vehicle properly displaying a placard and/or wheelchair license plate may only remain parked in one (1) location for up to twenty-four (24) hours. Any vehicle remaining in one (1) location in excess of twenty-four (24) hours is subject to penalties.
You can't leave the car at the meter for your whole vacation. Any vehicle properly displaying a placard and/or wheelchair license plate may only remain parked in one location for up to 24 hours. Any vehicle remaining in one location in excess of 24 hours is subject to penalties (N.1.S.A. 39:4-207.5).
Parking in accessible spaces without special vehicle identification is prohibited by the state. You will be fined.
We asked the Cape May City Police if it's legal to park a recreational vehicle (RV) or a camper within Cape May City limits. Here is the city policy on parking an RV in Cape May:
If you plan to be in Cape May for the weekend with your camper or RV, we recommend reserving a space at a local campground.
Wondering where you can park a charter bus? See our Group Tours page.
ChargePoint stations are available at the Cape May Welcome Center and City Hall, and there are FLO chargers at the West Cape May Municipal Complex at 732 Broadway. Please use the apps/websites for those services to determine exact location, parking cost, availability, electricity cost, plug types, compatibility, etc.
Congress Hall (Tesla) and La Mer (ChargePoint) offer on-site charging stations for guests. If you are staying with either accommodation, please ask them for more information.
The shopping plaza at 11 Court House South Dennis Road (ACME) in Cape May Court House also has 12 Tesla supercharging stations that are available 24/7. They are walking distance to the grocery store, pharmacy, and several restaurants.
Cape May's parking meters work with the Parkmobile App, which uses digital payments via debit/credit card and lets you keep an eye on your meter from the beach.
The Parkmobile App must be used for these areas:
During the summer, Cape May City offers free shuttle service around town. The shuttles hold 13 passengers each, are ADA compliant, have air conditioning, and run on natural gas. The two shuttles drive the same route, but in opposite directions for efficiency! You'll find "shuttle stop" signs on both sides of the street to indicate pick-up spots. The full list is on the City's website.
We'll post the 2025 Jitney schedule once it's available.
--
Want to know where the Jitney is right now or signal for a pickup? Download the Jitney Surfer app from Google Play and the App Store
Questions? Call the City of Cape May at 609-884-9565.
Information + route map on the City's website (this link opens in a new window)
We try to make this the most comprehensive guide to parking in Cape May, but if you can't find the answer to your question here, please get in touch with us so we can help (and update this section)!
Contact Us 
Biking in Cape May is a favorite pastime among visitors and locals, and one of the easiest ways to get around town. Local bike rental companies that offer daily or weekly rental periods and can even deliver the bikes to your hotel or B&B.
Rent a bicycle or surrey → Learn about bicycle regulations in NJ →
There are several local taxi companies that serve Cape May, but you'll need to call to arrange for pickup. We would recommend asking your accommodation for a taxi company that serves their specific location.
Uber and Lyft are also available in Cape May County. Check their respective apps for price quotes.
CapeMay.com is made with by the team at Cape Publishing.
© 2024 Cape Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms and Privacy
Accessibility