Best time of day to drive into NYC?

Question

I'm heading out to Queens this Friday afternoon. When is the optimal time to reach the city and avoid traffic. I assume that it is not so bad going in as coming out. I am about 2.5 hours outside the city. Thanks

Answer 1

Friday afternoon is not the time to be driving in to NYC if it is anywhere near rush hour! It will not matter if you are coming or going. Everyone is getting off work, heading into the city for fun, going home and many will be traveling for the week end outside of the city! I would say either late morning, very early afternoon, late at night or very early in the morning are the best times to trying to get to anywhere in the city. What you should do is listen channell 880 on your am dial. They give traffic updates every 10 minutes on 8th minute(ie 10:08, 10:18, 10:28 etc...) You will be able to learn about traffic conditions and plan your drive accordingly.

Answer 2

About 1 or 2pm if you have to drive during the afternoon. The very best time to drive in or out of the city is around 2-5 AM. I live in Brooklyn and my mom lives about 2.5hrs away so if I'm driving, I plan it all after midnight. A trip that has taken me 4.5 hours on a Sunday afternoon took me only 2 hours in the middle of the night.

Answer 3

Anything between noon and about 3:00 is fine .
It really depends upon where you're coming from and where you're going in Queens.
The improper selection of the bridge or tunnel could cost you a lot of time.
I know that mapquest for some bizarre reason likes to route people across Manhattan. WRONG!!!

Answer 4

Arriving anytime between 1 and 3 in the afternoon is good.

Answer 5

I lived in NY,NY. Drive to the nearest subway station and take the train. There is no good time to drive there. I parked my car after the first month because it was so much faster to take the trains and cheaper then gas and shocks. Have fun....I did!!

Answer 6

probably noon