Lewes is most easily reached by car. From the north on US-13 or DE-1, allow about two and a half hours from Philadelphia, three from Baltimore, and four from New York City. The town is about two hours from Washington, D.C., via the Bay Bridge.
The other classic approach is by ferry from Cape May, New Jersey — the Cape May–Lewes Ferry runs across the mouth of Delaware Bay and is a destination in itself. From New England and New York, taking the Garden State Parkway down the Jersey shore and crossing on the ferry is slower but more pleasant than fighting traffic on I-95.
There is no rail service to Lewes. The nearest commercial airports are Salisbury (about an hour south, with limited flights), Philadelphia, and Baltimore-Washington — both about two hours by road.