Roar to the Shore trip planner in brief
Use this Roar to the Shore trip planner to plan your own September ride to the Wildwoods: when to book, a budget outline, how to get there and where to park. For events in the Wildwoods that weekend, check the Wildwoods tourism website.
Pick your dates
Start by deciding how much of a crowd you want. The weekend after Labor Day, once Roar to the Shore weekend, now belongs to the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow, which drew more than 133,000 visitors in 2025 by organizers’ count. Rooms fill and beachfront streets get busy. If you want quieter roads, aim for midweek or a later September weekend. The Race of Gentlemen, a vintage car and motorcycle beach race, ran in early October 2026, which can be a reason to stay into fall.
Planning timeline
3 to 6 months out
Check the Greater Wildwoods events calendar for airshow and race dates, then book lodging that has a safe spot for your bike.
1 to 2 months out
Reserve the Cape May-Lewes Ferry if you plan to cross Delaware Bay. Get the bike serviced, with fresh tires and brakes if needed.
2 weeks out
Load your routes into a GPS or phone and check the Cape May County Bridge Commission for Ocean Drive bridge notices.
Week of the trip
Watch the tropical forecast. September is the peak of hurricane season.
Budget categories
We do not publish prices because they change with dates and demand. Plan for these categories:
- Lodging, usually the biggest line, and higher on event weekends
- Fuel for the ride in and for day trips
- Tolls on the Garden State Parkway and on several Ocean Drive bridges
- Ferry fare if you cross to Delaware, where motorcycles have their own fare class
- Parking meters in Wildwood
- Food, drinks and attractions such as lighthouse climbs
- A cushion for a weather delay or an extra night
Getting there
Most riders arrive on the Garden State Parkway. Take Exit 4A for Route 47 south, which crosses the George Redding Bridge and becomes Rio Grande Avenue into Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. For North Wildwood, use Exit 6 for Route 147. From Philadelphia, ride the Atlantic City Expressway to Exit 7S and the Parkway south. From Delaware, you can take Route 40 to Route 55 and Route 47, or ride to Lewes and take the ferry to North Cape May. Route 47 is known for backups on busy weekends, so arrive early in the day if you can.
Flying in and renting a bike? Atlantic City International (ACY) is about 45 road miles away. Philadelphia International (PHL) is about 85 miles, and Newark Liberty (EWR) is about 145.
Parking and getting around
Wildwood uses parking meters with payment through the ParkMobile app, and the city also sells weekly and seasonal meter permits. Hours and rules are posted on meters and signs, so read them before you walk away. The Wildwoods Convention Center sits on the boardwalk with its own large lot, which held rally vendors in past years.
Once parked, leave the bike. The boardwalk runs about 1.8 miles, a seasonal tram car travels its length, and local cab companies serve the island. Ask your hotel where bikes park and whether the lot is lit, and bring a disc lock and cover.
On this page
Roar to the Shore at a glance
Dates
Not held since 2019. No 2027 dates announced. It ran Thursday to Sunday on the weekend after Labor Day.
Where
Wildwood, Cape May County, NJ. Past vendor areas were the Wildwoods Convention Center lots and Oak and Atlantic Avenues.
Nearest airport
Atlantic City International (ACY), about 45 road miles
Helmet law
Required for all riders and passengers in NJ. Operators also need goggles or a face shield.
More for this rally
Packing list
What to bring
- Helmet with a chin or neck strap and reflective material on both sides (required in NJ)
- Goggles or a face shield (required for NJ operators)
- Motorcycle license or endorsement, registration and insurance card
- E-ZPass transponder for Parkway and Ocean Drive bridge tolls
- Ferry reservation confirmation, if crossing to Delaware
- Hotel confirmation with bike parking details
- Rain suit and waterproof boot covers
- Warm layer for evenings in the low 60s
- Sunscreen and tinted plus clear eye protection
- Earplugs
- High-visibility vest or jacket
- Phone mount, charger and power bank
- Offline maps or a GPS with routes loaded
- Disc lock with reminder cable
- Bike cover for salt air and overnight dew
- Basic tool kit and tire plug kit
- Tire pressure gauge
- First aid kit
- Kickstand puck for sandy or soft lots
- Microfiber towel for wiping salt spray
- Bungee net or cargo straps
- Refillable water bottle
- Swimsuit and sandals for beach time
