Our public transportation system is excellent, and can be quicker than driving to get around once you're here. If you are planning on driving in New York, try to avoid rush hours and late-Sunday afternoon traffic, particularly in summer.

Driving Directions

From Upstate New York and Central Westchester County
Take the New York (Dewey) Thruway (I-87). This is a toll road that becomes the Major Deegan Expressway through the Bronx. Enter the East Side of Manhattan by way of the Triborough Bridge ($3.50 toll). This leaves you at East 125th Street (Harlem), where you can connect to the Harlem River Drive (heading north/uptown toward the George Washington Bridge) and the FDR Drive (heading south toward midtown Manhattan on the East Side), which has various exits all the way down from the Upper East Side to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.

From Western Westchester County
Take the Saw Mill River Parkway (50¢ toll). This leads to the Henry Hudson Parkway, which enters Manhattan via the Henry Hudson Bridge ($1.50 toll). The Manhattan end of the bridge connects to Route 9A (West Side Highway). From here, you can take the West Side Highway along the Hudson River: There are numerous exits all the way down the West Side past midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo and down to Battery Park.

From Long Island
The Triborough Bridge and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel (I-495) are the most direct links to Manhattan, both connecting to the East Side. The bridge is uptown at 125th Street and the Harlem River Drive. There, at 125th Street, the Harlem River Drive becomes the FDR Drive (same roadway, different name). The Queens-Midtown Tunnel is in Midtown on the East Side, with entrances on 34th Street between First and Second Avenues and 36th Street near Second Avenue. Both require tolls ($3.50) in each direction.

From New Jersey
The Lincoln Tunnel (I-495), Holland Tunnel and George Washington Bridge connect Manhattan to the New Jersey Turnpike and points west. The Lincoln Tunnel (exit 16, off the New Jersey Turnpike) comes out near Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown on the West Side, at 10th Avenue and West 39th Street; the Holland Tunnel, in lower Manhattan, comes out just above Canal Street on Manhattan's West Side, and the George Washington Bridge leads to upper Manhattan, at 175th Street and Broadway, on the West Side. Here a connection can be made to the West Side Highway (9A), which follows the Hudson River to Midtown and Downtown to Wall Street. From the George Washington Bridge, you can also connect to the Harlem River Drive along the Harlem River to the East Side of Manhattan, and even continue all the way down to the South Street Seaport. The into-NYC tolls into the city are $6 for each of the three crossings.

From New England
Take the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) to the New England Thruway (I-95) ($1 toll), and connect to the Bruckner Expressway (I-287); if you are driving outbound, follow the I-95 signs because the Bruckner is not marked as I-278 until after its intersection with the Cross Bronx Expressway). Take the Bruckner to either the Triborough Bridge ($3.50 toll) or the Cross Bronx Expressway, which crosses upper Manhattan to the Upper West Side of Manhattan, near the George Washington Bridge at Broadway and 175th Street. From here a connection can be made to the West Side Highway, which follows along the Hudson River to Midtown and Downtown to Wall Street. To get to the East Side from the George Washington Bridge, connect to the Harlem River Drive to midtown Manhattan; the drive continues all the way down to the South Street Seaport. The eastbound-only tolls into the city are $6 for each of the three crossings.

New York City Driving Tips

Driving in New York City is much like driving in other big cities around the world. It is important to pay attention to the traffic lights, street signs and parking regulations. Unlike in many parts of the U.S., it is illegal to make right turns on a red light. The speed limit on streets (not highways) in the five boroughs is 30 miles per hour. Parking on the street can be confusing, with alternate-side-of-the-street rules in effect for different days of the week. Parking meters don't allow all-day privileges; you'll need to deposit quarters on an hourly basis.

There are parking garages and open-air lots throughout the city: Keep an eye out for signs (some garages have employees stand in the street to motion drivers into their garages or lots). Many garages cut their rates on the weekend. Depending on where you park (Midtown being most expensive), garage rates may range from $6 to $15 for the first hour to $40 per day, with special rates of about $20 on Sundays.

The New York City Department of Transportation (212/225-5368, 718/225-5368) is the source for information about traffic regulations, travel advisories, permits and more.

NYC Parking Tips

Parking on the street can be confusing, with alternate-side-of-the-street rules in effect for different days of the week. Parking meters don’t allow all-day privileges; you’ll need to deposit quarters on an hourly basis. There are parking garages and open-air lots throughout the city: Keep an eye out for signs (some garages have employees stand in the street to motion drivers into their garages or lots). Many garages cut their rates on the weekend. Depending on where you park (Midtown being most expensive), garage rates may range from $6 to $15 for the first hour to $40 per day, with special rates of about $20 on Sundays.

Central/Kinney Parking System, 212/321-7500. The leading provider of parking services in the U.S. Kinney System, Meyers Parking and Edison Parking Management make up the Central family.

Icon Parking Systems, 877-PARKING, 212/686-9800. Parking garage company with 140 Manhattan locations and discounts to theatergoers, hotels and restaurants.