Where to Go, What to Know

Writer Justin Moyer took a trip along New Jersey's Route 40. Here's his reporter's notebook.

DRIVE TIME

About 4 hours from the Beltway

GETTING THERE

Take Interstate 95 north across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey. Follow Route 40 east toward Atlantic City, but watch for signs: Route 40 meanders around traffic circles, merges with other small roads and unexpectedly changes direction in small towns. Gas-guzzler note: Try not to fill up until you get to New Jersey. Even though state law mandates full service at the pump, gas is always cheaper on the other side of the bridge.

WHERE TO STAY

Norman Bates would relish the quiet, dusty parking lots of the seedy motels that crowd Route 40, so you might want to stick with brand names. The Econo Lodge (6641 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, 609-484-0694, http://www.econolodgecardiff.com) sells beer in the lobby, and room prices drop to as low as $59.99 during the week. For those with a bigger budget, the two-month-old Marriott Residence Inn Egg Harbor Township (3022 Fire Rd., Egg Harbor Township, 609-813-2344, http://www.marriott.com) offers rooms from $199. B&B enthusiasts have limited choices, but the five-room Inn at Sugar Hill (5704 Mays Landing Rd., Mays Landing, 609-625-2226, http://www.innatsugarhill.com), with rooms from $100 to $155 per night, is worth a look.

WHERE TO EAT

South Jersey is diner country, but don't be put off by the sprawling menus. High-quality meals can be had for less than $15 per person at many of these mirrored-neon palaces. Veal picante, homemade pie or scrapple?

· Mays Landing Diner (6177 Harding Hwy., Mays Landing, 609-625-5051)

· Shore Diner (6710 Tilton Rd., Egg Harbor Township, 609-641-3669)

· Big Apple Cafe (528 Harding Hwy., Buena, 856-697-5500)