Any Long Island Experts Out There?

[amcnj]

Hi. In driving from the Holbrook area, what route would you recommend to reach the NJ Turnpike or Garden State Parkway? Would you take 495 to 295 to George Washington Bridge, or 495 to Sagtikos to Southern Pkwy to Belt over Verrazano Bridge and out through Staten Island? Or is there an even better way? Also, would our answer change based upon the day of the week, or time of day or time of year?

Thanks for any help.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Answer would COMPLETELY depend on time and day.

When do you plan on traveling?

 

[NJRRK]

Your best bet, for most times, would be to take the Verrazano Narrows bridge the across Staten Island to the Outerbridge Crossing then 440 to the turnpike.

You're going to run into traffic no matter when you do this trip, you're going through the most densely populated area the country. Might as well take the shortest route.

 

[amcnj]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. The expected departure date is Friday, July 23. The exact time is up in the air, but would most likely be during the day (10 am to 4 pm).

Does this change things, or any recommendations on what time of day might be better?

Thanks again.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Weekday afternoon take 495 to Sagtikos to Southern Pkwy to Belt to Verrazano Bridge to Goethals.

You REALLY want to get to the Goethals by 2 pm. On a Friday afternoon in the summer, anytime after that, it'll be a nightmare.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I live in Holbrook....and have driven to FL with my son(he goes to school in Ft Myers..fun fun driving down with him and flying home)...I take Sunrise Hwy to the Southern State..to Belt Pkwy...Verrazano Bridge to Goethals...I'd also listen to the traffic updates and if the outerbridge looked better than the goethals I'd switch to that

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I live in Holbrook....and have driven to FL with my son(he goes to school in Ft Myers..fun fun driving down with him and flying home)...I take Sunrise Hwy to the Southern State..to Belt Pkwy...Verrazano Bridge to Goethals...I'd also listen to the traffic updates and if the outerbridge looked better than the goethals I'd switch to that

Just wanted to clarify for OP that (I think) PP means to get on the Southern State in Islip, and not take Sunrise Highway all the way to Queens.

I agree this is also a good way of going. If you would have to go a bit south to hit 495, go this way. But, if you are right on 495 (or north of 495) take 495 to Sag.

 

[Jessica14]

I live in Holbrook....and have driven to FL with my son(he goes to school in Ft Myers..fun fun driving down with him and flying home)...I take Sunrise Hwy to the Southern State..to Belt Pkwy...Verrazano Bridge to Goethals...I'd also listen to the traffic updates and if the outerbridge looked better than the goethals I'd switch to that

This makes sense to me too. I would say that maybe go before 10AM, like 9 or 9:30. I say this because I have left about 8 or 8:30 from Riverhead to go to the Museum of Natural History and we get there when it opens at 10AM. I realize the route is different, but its manageable. Sometimes you hit the end of rush hour though. Maybe try to head into the general direction of the City before you go to get an idea of the traffic at that time of day. I'd definately look to be off the Island and well out of NY state as early as possible as you don't want to hit people leaving early on a Friday. Are you very commited to Friday? We have very good luck traveling early on Sundays and Mondays, but you may not have that fexibility. The other thought might be 4AM before rush hour starts.
Jessica

 

[nytimez]

I'd really advise leaving at around 4 am if you can and getting out of the entire NYC area before the rush starts.

Barring that, plan on the Verrazano-Staten Island Expressway route but keep the radio on 880 or 1010 and wing it if you have to. I have had some terrible times on the Staten Island Expressway at almost any time of day. Also remember, you can stay on the north shore and head over and around -- Throgs Neck or White Stone to George Washington Bridge to 95S. It's not the best route in terms of distance (or comfort), but it can get you around a traffic jam that's clogging up the other routes.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I'd really advise leaving at around 4 am if you can and getting out of the entire NYC area before the rush starts.

Barring that, plan on the Verrazano-Staten Island Expressway route but keep the radio on 880 or 1010 and wing it if you have to. I have had some terrible times on the Staten Island Expressway at almost any time of day. Also remember, you can stay on the north shore and head over and around -- Throgs Neck or White Stone to George Washington Bridge to 95S. It's not the best route in terms of distance (or comfort), but it can get you around a traffic jam that's clogging up the other routes.

Throgs neck has a long term contruction project. I have no clue whether that will be done before OP travels, but if it's not done, I would avoid the Bronx. Also, no matter how bad Staten Island is, the Bronx is almost always worse.

Another thing: if you can leave 4 am, and get out of NYC before rush hour, then the best route is actually through Manhattan, in both miles and time.

Take 495 through the midtown tunnel.
Stay to the left as you come out of the tunnel
Make a right on 34th Street
Take that across Manhattan.
After you pass Macy's on the right, start looking for the sign for the Lincoln Tunnel. Theres a (small) sign on the right to tell you to turn right for the tunnel. That will take you to the Jersey Turnpike

 

[Jessica14]

Throgs neck has a long term contruction project. I have no clue whether that will be done before OP travels, but if it's not done, I would avoid the Bronx. Also, no matter how bad Staten Island is, the Bronx is almost always worse.

Another thing: if you can leave 4 am, and get out of NYC before rush hour, then the best route is actually through Manhattan, in both miles and time.

Take 495 through the midtown tunnel.
Stay to the left as you come out of the tunnel
Make a right on 34th Street
Take that across Manhattan.
After you pass Macy's on the right, start looking for the sign for the Lincoln Tunnel. Theres a (small) sign on the right to tell you to turn right for the tunnel. That will take you to the Jersey Turnpike

Another poster I agree with! we have had much more success going that way then what I call the long way around. Also, there is a reststop right after you get through the tunnel a couple of miles down the road. I know its not long from Holbrook to there, but for us from Riverhead, its always a life saver!
Jessica

 

[Elmo007]

Unless I missed it you did not say if you were going north or south in NJ. If going south head towards Staten Island outherwise GWB. The poster who said leave at 4am hit it on the head. The belt, The BQE, the Staten Island expressway are all miserable on a summer friday.

I recall one sunday when there was a 2 hour wait in each direction over the throgs neck. I just waited till after midnight to come home.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Unless I missed it you did not say if you were going north or south in NJ. If going south head towards Staten Island outherwise GWB. The poster who said leave at 4am hit it on the head. The belt, The BQE, the Staten Island expressway are all miserable on a summer friday.

I recall one sunday when there was a 2 hour wait in each direction over the throgs neck. I just waited till after midnight to come home.

Good point about the direction OP is going.

I think we all assumed OP was goind to WDW