Navigating To Jfk: A Comprehensive Guide To Driving There

Driving to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) can be a stressful experience. The airport is located in Queens, New York City, and there is no way to avoid the city when driving there. You will need to navigate busy freeways and unpredictable traffic, especially during rush hour. There are several highways leading to JFK, including the Van Wyck Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, and Belt Parkway. Each route has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to know your terminal before setting off to get around the airport easily.

The best routes to take when driving to JFK Airport

Driving to JFK Airport is a viable option, but you will need to allow time for traffic and parking. Parking at the airport is expensive, but you can save money if you book airport parking in advance.

From the North

Listen to the traffic report on 1010 Wins radio as you approach the Bronx. If there are delays on the Whitestone Bridge, follow signs for the Throgs Neck Bridge. From the bridge, follow the Cross Island Parkway south to the Belt Parkway/Southern State west. Follow to exit 20 for JFK.

From New Jersey

Just after the Verrazano Bridge, exit to Ft. Hamilton Parkway (east) to Linden Boulevard (NY 27). Take Linden Boulevard to the Nassau Expressway directly to the airport.

From the East (Long Island)

Take the Southern State Parkway west until the highway's name changes to the Belt Parkway. Follow the signs for JFK airport at exit 20.

Leaving JFK

Take the Van Wyck parkway to the Grand Central Parkway to the Tri-Boro Bridge into Manhattan. Once in Manhattan, take the FDR Drive uptown (which becomes Harlem River Drive) until you see signs for the George Washington Bridge.

How to avoid NYC traffic

Driving to JFK airport can be a stressful experience, especially if you're trying to avoid NYC traffic. Here are some tips to help you navigate the journey more smoothly:

Firstly, it's important to plan your route in advance. Depending on where you're coming from, there are several options for reaching the airport. If you're driving from the east (Long Island), you can take the Southern State Parkway west until it merges into the Belt Parkway. Follow the signs for JFK at exit 20. Alternatively, you can take the Long Island Expressway (LIE) or Northern State west to the Cross Island Parkway, then go south to the Southern State Parkway/Belt Parkway and exit at 20 for JFK.

If you're coming from New Jersey, you have a couple of options as well. One route is to take the NJ Turnpike south to Exit 13, then cross the Goethals Bridge to Staten Island. From there, follow the Staten Island Expressway (I-278) to the Verrazano Bridge. Exit the bridge and take the Belt Parkway east to exit 19, where you'll find the Nassau Expressway (NY-878) leading directly to the airport. Tolls for this route include $6.00 for the Goethals Bridge and $8.00-$11.00 for the Verrazano Bridge, depending on the source.

Another option from New Jersey is to drive north on the NJ Turnpike to Exit 13, then head east across the Goethals Bridge. Follow the Staten Island Expressway (I-278) and take the Gowanus Expressway north to the Prospect Expressway south. This will lead you to 10th Ave, from where you can follow directions to the airport.

If you're already in Manhattan, you can take the Van Wyck Expressway directly to Kennedy Airport. Then, simply drive west to exit 20 for JFK. Leaving JFK, the Van Wyck Expressway will also take you back into Manhattan, where you can connect to the George Washington Bridge via the FDR Drive (which becomes the Harlem River Drive).

By planning your route and choosing the most convenient option for your starting point, you can minimise your time on the road and avoid getting caught in NYC's notorious traffic. Remember to also allow some flexibility in your schedule, as traffic conditions can be unpredictable. Safe travels!

Cashless tolls and their costs

Driving to JFK Airport involves crossing the Goethals Bridge and the Verrazano Bridge, both of which have tolls.

Goethals Bridge

The Goethals Bridge connects New Jersey to Staten Island. The toll for passenger vehicles travelling from New Jersey to Staten Island is $6.00. There is no toll for passenger vehicles travelling from Staten Island to New Jersey.

The Goethals Bridge has a discount scheme for frequent users called the 'Staten Island Bridges Plan'. Under this scheme, users travelling more than three times per month pay $8.03 per trip for cars at all times.

The Goethals Bridge also has a toll discount for E-ZPass users. The E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system that allows users to pay tolls without stopping at toll booths. E-ZPass users with passes issued from agencies in New Jersey or New York are charged $14.06 for cars and $13.06 for motorcycles during off-peak hours, and $16.06 for cars and $15.06 for motorcycles during peak hours.

Users with E-ZPasses issued from agencies outside of New Jersey and New York are charged the tolls-by-mail rate. As of January 5, 2024, the tolls-by-mail rate for cars and motorcycles travelling from New Jersey to New York City was $18.31.

Verrazano Bridge

The Verrazano Bridge has a toll of $8.00 for passenger vehicles.

The Verrazano Bridge also has a toll discount for E-ZPass users. E-ZPass users with passes issued from agencies in New York outside of Staten Island pay $6.94, while Staten Island residents with an E-ZPass pay $2.75. Users without an E-ZPass pay $11.19.

Cashless tolls

Cashless tolls are a way to pay tolls without stopping at a toll booth. Instead, drivers are billed through the mail or via an electronic toll collection system like E-ZPass. Cashless tolls are designed to save time and reduce congestion at toll booths.

Costs

The costs of cashless tolls can vary depending on the toll road or bridge and the method of payment. For example, the Goethals Bridge has a lower toll for E-ZPass users than for users paying by mail, while the Verrazano Bridge has the same toll for both E-ZPass users and users paying by mail.

In general, cashless tolls can be more expensive than paying with cash at a toll booth. This is because cashless toll systems often charge a convenience fee or a higher rate to cover the cost of processing the transaction.

When driving to JFK Airport, it is important to be aware of the cashless tolls and their costs. The Goethals Bridge and the Verrazano Bridge both have tolls that can be paid with an E-ZPass or by mail. The costs of these tolls can vary depending on the method of payment and the frequency of use. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared to pay the correct amount to avoid any unexpected charges.

How to get around the airport once you arrive

Once you arrive at JFK Airport, there are several ways to get around. If you are driving, you can follow the signs to the correct terminal and park in one of the designated parking lots. There are also several options for public transportation, including the AirTrain, which connects to the New York City subway system, as well as bus and taxi services.

If you are arriving by car, the best way to get around the airport is to use the JFK Expressway, which provides direct access to the terminals. You can also use the Van Wyck Expressway, which runs parallel to the airport and provides access to the terminals from the north and south.

If you are arriving by public transportation, the AirTrain is a convenient option. The AirTrain connects to the New York City subway system, providing access to Manhattan and other parts of the city. The AirTrain also stops at the airport's parking lots, making it easy to get to your car.

There are also several bus and taxi services that operate at the airport. These can be found at designated pick-up and drop-off areas near the terminals. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day, while bus services typically operate during peak hours only.

Overall, there are several convenient options for getting around JFK Airport once you arrive. Whether you are driving or using public transportation, there are direct routes to the terminals and easy access to parking and other amenities.

The advantages and disadvantages of different highways

Driving to JFK airport can be done via several different routes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

I-78

One route is to go east on I-78 to the New Jersey Turnpike south to Exit 13. Cross the Goethals Bridge to Staten Island, and follow Staten Island Expressway (I-278) to the Verrazano Bridge. Exit the bridge to take the Belt Parkway east. At exit 19 take the Nassau Expressway (NY-878), which leads directly to the airport. The advantages of this route are that it is a direct route to the airport and there are no tolls on the Goethals Bridge for passenger vehicles. However, there is a one-way charge of $8.00 for passenger vehicles on the Verrazano Bridge.

Southern State Parkway

Another option is to take the Southern State Parkway west until the highway's name changes to the Belt Parkway. Follow the signs for JFK airport at exit 20. The advantage of this route is that it is a direct route to the airport, and there are no tolls mentioned. However, it is not clear if there are any disadvantages to this route, such as heavy traffic or road closures.

Long Island Expressway or Northern State

A third option is to drive west on the Long Island Expressway (L.I.E.) to the Cross Island Parkway and go south to the Southern State Parkway/Belt Parkway. Then drive west to exit 20 for JFK Airport. The advantage of this route is that it is a direct route to the airport, and there are no tolls mentioned. However, it is not clear if there are any disadvantages, such as heavy traffic or road closures.

I-80/I-280

Finally, you could go east on I-80 to I-280 east to the NJ Turnpike south to Exit 13 for the Goethals Bridge. The advantage of this route is that it is a direct route to the airport, and there are no tolls mentioned. However, it is not clear if there are any disadvantages, such as heavy traffic or road closures.

In conclusion, there are several different routes to JFK airport, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consider factors such as tolls, traffic, and road closures when choosing the best route for your journey.

Frequently asked questions