One of the best things about fall at the Delaware beaches is not having to pay for parking.
It’s $4 an hour to park in most beach towns in the summer now, not to mention the costly tickets you get if you accidentally run over your time. Parking at the Delaware beaches can be downright stressful, so it’s a big relief when the season ends.
In mid-September, meters (or, nowadays, ParkMobile kiosks) are starting to be shut down in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.
Here’s when it happens in each town:
Lewes
Lewes has the longest meter season, from May 1 to Oct. 14 downtown. At Savannah and Johnnie Walker beach, though, meters are off starting Oct. 1.
Meters have mostly been replaced with ParkMobile at the Delaware beaches.
Rehoboth Beach
The last day of meter season in “The Nation’s Summer Capital” is Sept. 15.
Dewey Beach
In Dewey Beach, parking is free starting Sept. 16.
Beach events: Fall is for the dogs at the Delaware beaches. Take yours to these events
Bethany Beach
Sept. 16 marks the first day of free parking in Bethany Beach.
Fenwick Island
Free parking starts Sept. 16 in Fenwick Island.
Beach laws: Which Delaware beach town was the only one to issue curfew violations this summer
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Free parking: When it starts in each Delaware beach town