Driving into NYC from Hartford

Submitted by TheLonelyOctober t3_y8l56o in Connecticut

Has anyone driven into NYC lately and if so how bad was it? A few friends and I will be going the early afternoon on Sunday Oct 30th to see another friend perform. I just want to know what to expect and am hoping a Sunday won't be too bad. We won't be doing any sightseeing or anything like that. We'll likely just see the show and grab dinner somewhere close by. I already know to expect about $40+ for parking which is fine. The train isn't an option as someone traveling with us has medical needs that make that difficult. Thanks in advance!

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yudkib t1_it0rdv4 wrote

Driving into Manhattan shouldn’t be terrible on a Sunday. Queens and Brooklyn have been unbearable basically from 5AM to 8PM daily.

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Chaos_Ice t1_it0ongt wrote

Honestly same as always. $40+ parking is only if you don’t know where to look. Plenty of cheap parking areas. On a Sunday it’s usually less traffic.

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TheLonelyOctober OP t1_it1qkuv wrote

Thank you. I had a parking garage in mind, but maybe I'll look around for something cheaper if there's time.

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Wyndeward t1_it5jhho wrote

Try parking panda, parking hero or one of the other apps. You might be able to find a better rate.

Also, while I know it isn't as fun as listening to music, tune into one of the AM radio channels out of NYC, like 880. They generally provide traffic and weather news on a regular basis throughout the hour.

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WonderChopstix t1_it2n9mz wrote

Dude it's Halloween weekend... it'll be busy and traffic . Especially if temps are good. Also where is the show. Nyc is a big place. Parking will likely be more.

It sounds like any public transit is out of question? I am not going to ask the medical condition but the guys who work at MTA can be super helpful...and you'd be getting on and off at the last stop so once you're on the train you're good. I know there could be other conditions that make it impossible.

You may get lucky but I'd be prepared for am extra hour plus of traffic depending on where you're starting.

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TheLonelyOctober OP t1_it2zkoy wrote

Yeah I completely forgot about Halloween. We'll be in the theatre district, close to Times Square. Public transit is out of the question unfortunately. Our friend deals with mobility as well as respiratory issues so we're bringing along a wheelchair and his portable oxygen. Normally I would just drive into New Haven and take the train into Grand Central. I just feel like driving is more comfortable for everyone in this case. Public transit is hectic even for able bodied people. He's really been looking forward to this and he rarely gets out to events so we all just really want to ensure that it's enjoyable for him.

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WonderChopstix t1_it3nopo wrote

Just build in tons if time. I go to and from Hartford area and I would give 4 hours... probably takes 3 but if you have a deadline then be conservative. Or even more time and just grab food. The further away you can park the better..as others said come down the west side ( but monitor Google and waze you never know accidents or Yankees game). And then park as comfortably you guys feel toward the west side. Once you past 10th Ave it could be backed up.

Also keep in mind SUVs are more money in a garage. Not sure what you have.

Have fun!!!! And bring umbrellas in car in case.

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popcornstuffedbra t1_it31nc0 wrote

Halloween weekend = dicey.

I highly recommend adding 30 minutes of padding for your drive in. But start your GPS an hour before you leave to see if there are issues (weekend construction has been a bitch lately).

Download Best Parking and reserve a spot. You will not find parking in that area. You do not want the headache of trying either.

I work in NYC, live in WeHa. I deal with this a lot.

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[deleted] t1_it1dcox wrote

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TheLonelyOctober OP t1_it1rzoa wrote

We'll be in the theatre district, somewhat close to Times Square. A few people are saying I can find cheaper parking, but I'm leery of street parking as I've been towed in NYC before. Not a fun experience at all and would be absolutely disastrous this time due to the limitations of one of my travel mates. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I agree with entering from Hudson Parkway. That looks easiest for this trip. Thank you!

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hasek3139 t1_it1a0q8 wrote

You should have looked at google maps traffic last weekend to judge, and also use parking apps to get cheap parking, I get around $12-15 parking thru them

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Character_Ad_2257 t1_it1cjiw wrote

I drove to LGA last week and took the Whitestone bridge and it was surprising easy compared to previous years. All the tolls are now pay by plate so unless there is other traffic, there won’t be any for the tolls.

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as1126 t1_it222yl wrote

Sunday should be no issue, you can use Google Maps to get an idea about average times for that departure.

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CTdadof5 t1_it2ajds wrote

Sunday driving should be fine, but train from new haven is low stress and the theater district is < a mile from grand central terminal (if I am remembering correctly - please double check).

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kppeterc15 t1_it36u1x wrote

I would just give yourself as much extra time as possible. Worst case scenario, the drive is smooth and you spend a bit longer in Manhattan. Not like you'll be stuck kicking rocks in a parking lot.

Also, be sure to take tolls into account. Usually now they send a bill in the mail.

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ParamedicCareful3840 t1_it3nudj wrote

Sunday traffic is usually better, but some moron crashing into some other moron can cause a traffic jam. Also construction. I would just add in some extra time/flexibility and check traffic the day of and if need be leave a bit earlier.

Just bite the bullet and pay for parking, it’s not worth the hassle of worrying about being towed with your friend’s medical condition

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IndigoGrunt t1_it43o2q wrote

There are many spots free parking weekends after 6pm. Usually I throw in a cheap parking garage in my gps and when I get within a few minutes I start looking for open spots on the street. It's about a 50/50 shot but it doesn't hurt to do some research for garages ahead of time.

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[deleted] t1_it0ym3o wrote

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yudkib t1_it11c7u wrote

Isn’t the only NB toll on 95 at New Rochelle? 87 has a toll in Yonkers.

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BrutallyRational t1_it140gk wrote

You were right about the toll on 87 in Yonkers; it apparently is in both directions. The toll in New Rochelle is only northbound. I just checked the official NY state thruway map. I deleted my initial reply to avoid giving the OP incorrect info. Moral of the story: don’t trust Google Maps for toll prices (it gave me wrong info)

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Ancient_Elderberry13 t1_it28907 wrote

Try to be passing over the GW bridge around 5:30/6:00am. Any later you'll hit an immense amount of traffic

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caolle t1_it2rovf wrote

Last I checked, you don't drive over the GWB to get into Manhattan from Hartford.

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Stop_Already t1_it299kl wrote

Not on a Sunday she won’t.

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Ancient_Elderberry13 t1_it2cj2t wrote

Driving Tractor Trailer I'd have to disagree, it's ALWAYS a tough time to NYC from CT unless it's very late/early edit I drove Truck for a while just my personal experience

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