Going thru New York city question

Charles in SC · May 22, 2011, 09:46:49 PM

I am going to Medford, NY this september. I have never driven thru the big apple. If I go by way of the Linclon tunnel east to west across Manhatton towards Medford how long will I be in stop and go type traffic? Does this road move along or will my clutch leg give out and die. Any comments are welcome.

scanzel · May 23, 2011, 02:59:17 AM

I live in Connecticut but have been to NY city many times and the traffic never stops. Mornings and late afternoon around supper time are the worse times. Yes it will be stop and go. If there is an accident even worse. They now have a turn signal rule, you must use it when changing lanes. And if your from out of state the law really likes your to screw up. Depending where Medford NY is you might try going around NY city.

oldmansax · May 23, 2011, 04:33:05 AM

I haven't been to the city in a long time but there is always traffic there & a lot of stop & go driving. I would try to go through there between midnight & 4AM unless I absolutely had to be there in the day time. When going out the the Island I would usually take I-278 to I-495 although the bridges are VERY narrow. Way late at night won't be too bad.

TOM

jackhartjr · May 23, 2011, 05:22:01 AM

Charles, where you are going on Long Island won't be as bad as going farther north.
NJ Turnpike to Exit 13 which is I-278. Go east or north to I-495 and go east to Medford.
Jack

Van · May 23, 2011, 06:15:18 AM

Charles, exit #16, then east through the Lincoln tunnel cross town to the mid town tunnel, 495 east to exit 64 (Med ford) aprox 2hrs from the midtown tunnel. WARNINGAfter 9/11, no propane bottles allowed! at least nothing larger than those small Mapp gas bottles else you will be refused entry and will have to back trac over the 59th st bridge which will put you on the streets of Queens. Leave the tanks home and p/u bottles at your destination.
There are other alternatives but... being unfamiliar with B'klyn or Queens could put you in a position to have some hair raising moments

Oh! also.. if arriving during the week... midnight--- to 5:00 am. Weekends, saturday, arrive early morning is fine

as far as your clutch, well.. as soon as you are up to speed coast to the lights, very rare to catch synronised lights moving cross town. Take your time, ample room through the tunnels. good luck and have a safe trip.

Van · May 23, 2011, 06:27:24 AM

One very important reminder! no cell phone while behind the wheel in NY, just like Californi-A!

and don't get caught in the intersections in Manhattan, or you could end up with another souvenir

Sean · May 23, 2011, 09:27:54 AM

I grew up in the NJ/NY area. I would recommend you avoid Manhattan altogether. I suggest instead Goethals or Outerbridge Crossing to Verrazano if coming from the west/south, or Throgs Neck or Whitestone if coming from the north, which will avoid the LPG restrictions as well as the whole nightmare of crossing Manhattan. FWIW.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

Seville · May 23, 2011, 09:43:55 AM

Assuming your coming up I-95 from SC. The best way to Long Island with a bus is I-95/NJ Turnpike exit 13 to Goethals Bridge which puts you in Staten Island continue on 278 east to the Verrazano Bridge which puts you in Brooklyn, continue on 278 east which is also called the Brooklyn/Queens expressway up to 495 east which is also called the Long Island Expressway. 495/LIE will take you to Medford.

I would not recomend driving a bus into Manhattan! Traffic is Killer all the time! Even between the hours of 12am to 5 am, thats when the city does road construction. In fact I dont recomend driving any vehicle into the city. Its just not worth the time and aggravation. Use public transit much easier and faster.

Also avoid the tunnels if you carry Propane! The tunnel cops are Hardcore about enforcing this!!
Also stay away from any Parkways in the NY area! There are low clearance bridges that a bus can't make it through.
Hope this helps.

Slow Rider · May 23, 2011, 10:47:18 AM

If you want to avoid all the congestion going through DC, take the 295 around Richmond and get on US 301. Much nicer ride. When you get near Baltimore you have to finagle a little bit ( 97 to 695 to 895 ) but it keeps you out of the worst of it. And as far as the best route through Baltimore maybe OMS will give us a heads up.

Frank

WEC4104 · May 23, 2011, 12:15:24 PM

I've driven from the Philly area to Brooklyn a couple times recently (in full size van, not my bus). Either the Goethals or Outerbridge had lane spacing that was pretty tight. If I was in my bus there would have been significant "pucker factor".

I also recall coming off the Verranzano Narrows bridge and looping around onto the expressway nearing Coney Island. There are some especially low overpasses. As I approached one labelled 10' 6", I was watching a bus in my rear view mirror. I was convinced I was going to see something exciting, but somehow he managed to squeeze under.

oldmansax · May 23, 2011, 04:23:06 PM

Quote from: Slow Rider on May 23, 2011, 10:47:18 AM
If you want to avoid all the congestion going through DC, take the 295 around Richmond and get on US 301. Much nicer ride. When you get near Baltimore you have to finagle a little bit ( 97 to 695 to 895 ) but it keeps you out of the worst of it. And as far as the best route through Baltimore maybe OMS will give us a heads up.

Frank

THERE'S A BEST ROUTE THOUGH BALTIMORE!!!!!!?

ROFL!!!!!!!!!! If so, I haven't found it!

However, Frank is right about avoiding DC like the plague. I would follow US 301 all the way across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge & across the Shore to where is rejoins I-95 just before New Castle, DE. Then pick up I-295 up into NJ (avoids the toll on the Turnpike). Get on the Pike at exit 7 (couple of big truckstops there) and follow on the I-278 as described.

TOM

Charles in SC · May 23, 2011, 07:18:45 PM

Thanks everybody for their input. Thanks for the propane info.

TomC · May 23, 2011, 09:01:58 PM

I drove to New York City when I drove truck. The best is across the Verrazano on 278 to 495 to Medford. Just remember that Expressways are for everyone, and Parkways are for cars only (no RV's). Good Luck, TomC

Seville · May 24, 2011, 05:59:55 AM

One option to consider if you are driving a big vehicle like a bus or truck over one of the NY area bridges and you dont feel comfortable keeing in your bus in the lane beacause it's too narrow, is to just put on your four way indicator signals and drive right down the middle of two lanes.

Big rigs do it all the time. Drivers behind you may get a little upset but don't worry, better to be safe than sorry!
The cops won't bother you, they know some of these bridges are very narrow .
The Outerbridge crossing being the most narrow bridge I have ever seen anywhere in The USA !

If you ever find yourself on this particular bridge and don't feel comfortable, use the two lane strategy.

DMoedave · May 24, 2011, 06:49:42 PM

I would avoid DC and Baltimore and take 17N out of Fredricksburg to 66 to 81 to 78 to 278n to 80east and cross at the George Washington bridge. Best times are 10-2pm and after 7pm. stay in the 2nd from right lane and cross the Hudson and your on the Cross Bronx to the Troggs neck Bridge which is the Clearview Expressway to the LIE Long Island EXpressway or 495. NEVER TAKE PARKWAYS! Low Clearances, expressways only. If you look at the map it might seem out of the way but no tolls (untill GW and Throggs neck bridges) and MUCH less stress. Fuel up good you dont want to buy diesel on the Island. AM radio 880 and 1010 has the traffic on the 8's and 10's every 10 minutes. I would never take my coach over the Goethells bridge again EVER! Medford is exit 64 and will seem like the country after the city haha. (We are exit 49 when we are there) drive safe