A bit less busy than neighboring Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach offers wide shorelines and charming cottages. It’s about one-mile long and situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay. Estimated drive-time: three hours and 10 minutes.

During the summer, Rehoboth Beach can be party central for East Coast ocean-seekers. It boasts a mile-long boardwalk and a main business strip replete with restaurants and bars. It’s also long been known as an LGBTQ-friendly beach. Estimated drive-time: three hours and 14 minutes.

Fora more family-friendly atmosphere, head further south to Bethany Beach. It also has a boardwalk. Estimated drive-time: three hours and 18 minutes.

Near Annapolis, Sandy Point State Park offers beaches on the Chesapeake Bay. The entire park is 786 acres large and includes picnic areas. Estimated drive-time: one hour and 23 minutes.

A relatively quick drive from D.C., Chesapeake Beach in Maryland is a popular place for fishing and boating. Be sure to check out the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum to get a sense of the town’s history. Estimated drive-time: one hour and 12 minutes.

Just east of Norfolk, Virginia Beach is the biggest city by land area in the state. The boardwalk is three miles long and features numerous restaurants, an aquarium, and a military aviation museum. There are dozens of parks in the area, too. Estimated drive-time: four hours and 13 minutes.