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Leaving NYC over Memorial Day weekend? Here's the best (and worst) time to hit the road.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published May 21, 2024
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MTA/Marisa Baldeo
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published May 21, 2024
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Memorial Day weekend car travel is expected to again exceed pre-COVID-19 levels, meaning drivers should brace for heavy gridlock when leaving and returning to New York City.
AAA estimates that 43.8 million people across the country will travel 50 miles or more, a 4% increase over last year. In New York State, 2.8 million travelers are expected to hit the road. In New Jersey, 1 million people will go on vacation for the long weekend.
A review of MTA toll data for last year’s Memorial Day weekend showed the most traffic on Thursday, between 3 and 6 p.m., and Friday, between 2 and 4 p.m.
Public transportation is the best bet for travelers. But If you’re planning to head out by car, AAA has crunched the numbers on the best and worst times to leave the city and then drive back.
Thursday, May 23
- Traffic will be at its worst between noon and 6 p.m.
- The best option is to leave before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Friday, May 24
- Noon to 7 p.m. is the worst time to travel by car.
- A good bet is to leave before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 25
- The busiest travel time is 2 to 5 p.m.
- To avoid the traffic, leave either before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 26
- Driving back to the city? Avoid 3 to 7 p.m.
- Try to arrive before 1 p.m.
Monday, May 27
- Expect gridlock from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Anytime after 7 p.m. is the best time to return to the city.
AAA also analyzed data from previous Memorial Day weekends to determine when traffic would be worst on several bridges.
Verrazzano Bridge:
- Staten Island-bound: Thursday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Friday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Brooklyn-bound: Thursday and Friday morning, as well as Sunday between 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday between 5 and 8 p.m.
Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges:
- Bronx-bound: Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday late morning between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Queens-bound: Thursday between 4 and 7 p.m. and Sunday between 3 and 7 p.m.
Tagged
new york city
transportation
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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