OT: advice about getting to JFK on Monday

[Dogbreath2U]

Tomorrow I will be driving my daughter to JFK for a flight to Barcelona for a study abroad semester. The flight leaves around 8:00 pm, but we want to avoid any possible problems and were looking to get there before rush hour.

I have never driven there before and don't know if it is an easy drive or what things to watch out for (e.g. construction, etc).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[husky91]

Where are coming? I take 95 from CT to the Whitestone and down the Van Wyck. Not bad, construction still in CT, Whitestone and some on Van Wyck. Leave early. Park out at the outter lots in long term and take train to terminals, avoid driving into actual airport.

Tomorrow I will be driving my daughter to JFK for a flight to Barcelona for a study abroad semester. The flight leaves around 8:00 pm, but we want to avoid any possible problems and were looking to get there before rush hour.

I have never driven there before and don't know if it is an easy drive or what things to watch out for (e.g. construction, etc).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Where are coming? I take 95 from CT to the Whitestone and down the Van Wyck. Not bad, construction still in CT, Whitestone and some on Van Wyck. Leave early. Park out at the outter lots in long term and take train to terminals, avoid driving into actual airport.

Where are coming? I take 95 from CT to the Whitestone and down the Van Wyck. Not bad, construction still in CT, Whitestone and some on Van Wyck. Leave early. Park out at the outter lots in long term and take train to terminals, avoid driving into actual airport.

I would be taking I-95 from CT. Google is sending my down I-91 to Route 15, to Route 8 to I-95. Is this the best way to go?

Then, I-95 to exit 14, Hutchinson Parkway toward Whitestone Bridge, continue onto I-678 S to airport.

 

[dtrumpet]

if you're not going to Barcelona as well, don't park off site and train, thats long term parking. Use short term, its pricey, but convenient. Leaving from central ct I take 84W, 684, Hutchinson, whitestone, 678. I'd say get there at least 2 hours before the international flight. You'll have less traffic (not none, there's always some as you get close) and ample time to get through the usually slow security lines. And check online to see which terminal to use, Jfk is like 8 bradleys.

 

[imno1]

I would just stay on the Merritt which turns into the Hutch

 

[methodology]

Yes that is the best way. If the flight leaves at 8pm I would suggest leaving your home at around noon and 2pm at the latest so that you can get there without having to deal with the traffic in that area I was working in Coney Island for a month so drove past JFK everyday for a month. It would take about 3.5 hours because of traffic in the mornings and we were leaving at 430-5 am. Traffic after the whitestone bridge, by shea, all the way to JFK and the Belt parkway is awful. The rush hour commute was just as bad if not worse. It was more often than not a 4hr+ drive back and we would try to get out of there by 4 and would sometimes stay to 7-8 just to avoid the rush hour traffic back to CT

I cannot stress enough to leave extra early to avoid rush hour traffic and get to your flight on time. If you have not dealt with JFK area traffic during rush hour you are in for a treat.

 

[dtrumpet]

totally agree with methodology's post about when to leave. Would have stressed that more myself, except I though the flight was 8am, not 8pm. rush hour is a nightmare because there aren't many options on how to get there.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Yes that is the best way. If the flight leaves at 8pm I would suggest leaving your home at around noon and 2pm at the latest so that you can get there without having to deal with the traffic in that area I was working in Coney Island for a month so drove past JFK everyday for a month. It would take about 3.5 hours because of traffic in the mornings and we were leaving at 430-5 am. Traffic after the whitestone bridge, by shea, all the way to JFK and the Belt parkway is awful. The rush hour commute was just as bad if not worse. It was more often than not a 4hr+ drive back and we would try to get out of there by 4 and would sometimes stay to 7-8 just to avoid the rush hour traffic back to CT

I cannot stress enough to leave extra early to avoid rush hour traffic and get to your flight on time. If you have not dealt with JFK area traffic during rush hour you are in for a treat.

When you say "that is the best way," do you mean the way I listed? Thanks for the warnings....would getting into NY area around 2 p.m. be about the best time?

Thanks for the help! I will be in for a treat.

 

[methodology]

When you say "that is the best way," do you mean the way I listed? Thanks for the warnings....would getting into NY area around 2 p.m. be about the best time?

Thanks for the help! I will be in for a treat.

The way you listed is the best, most direct route. You can stay on the merritt longer to the hutch if you want. Its really all a preference to the driver. If you got into the area around 2 that would be the best time and least busy (although probably still somewhat busy).

 

[cohenzone]

Do you have GPS? I live in Hamden, and use the Merritt/Hutch and straight over the Whitestone to the Van Wyck. The typical bottlenecks even off-rush hour occur at the approach to the Whitestone (if you happen to have EZ Pass, it make the toll experience a lot shorter during heavy periods), the merge onto the Van Wyck where there has been construction making the merge worse, and sometime the last mile or so to the airport exit. I'm not sure about parking for the International terminal because on a trip overseas I usually have a driving service. The outlying lots are mostly long term. There is also a lot near an aerial shuttle train stop which you can Google for directions. I think the flight time makes it hard to avoid all congestion, but on pre-and post rush hour experiences, traffic can be very light and the trip for me less than an hour 45.

I can't vouch for traffic flow, or current construction, but I know some limo drivers use the Throgs Neck bridge if the Whitestone and Van Wyck are messed up. Not sure which Long Island highway it dumps you on, but it isn't all that much longer to JFK. I think it takes you into the airport entry from a different side. If you don't have GPS, you can do a Mapquest or similar route for the Throgs Neck method. To get to the Throgs Neck, you can still take the Hutch but then get on 95 W toward NYC which is clearly marked after you pass the Mount Vernon exits. The Throgs Neck exit off 95 is well-marked.

If you aren't used to it, the Hutch splits around New Rochelle. Make sure you don't follow the signs to the George Washington Bridge, which might also say to I95. Follow the signs for the Hutch south and the Whitestone. That would also get you to where there is access to 95 off the Hutch is if you need to use the Throgs Neck. There are actually 2 different entrances to 95off that stretch of the Hutch a few miles apart,, and the second one gets you to the Throgs Neck with less of 95 to cover.

Look at a map on line or otherwise and it would make it all less confusing. If you want to the terminal by 5, I agree that to be safe, you'd want to get to the Hutch no later than say 3:00. If traffic is okay, you would get there well before 5, even as early as 4 or better, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Post-holiday season + post-storm related issues + international flight especially for lesser experienced global traveler = ensure your daughter has at least 2 hours for check-in, security, etc. Don't screw around, just leave plenty early. Lucky girl, great opportunity!

 

[cohenzone]

Do you have GPS? I live in Hamden, and use the Merritt/Hutch and straight over the Whitestone to the Van Wyck. The typical bottlenecks even off-rush hour occur at the approach to the Whitestone (if you happen to have EZ Pass, it make the toll experience a lot shorter during heavy periods), the merge onto the Van Wyck where there has been construction making the merge worse, and sometime the last mile or so to the airport exit. I'm not sure about parking for the International terminal because on a trip overseas I usually have a driving service. The outlying lots are mostly long term. There is also a lot near an aerial shuttle train stop which you can Google for directions. I think the flight time makes it hard to avoid all congestion, but on pre-and post rush hour experiences, traffic can be very light and the trip for me less than an hour 45.

I can't vouch for traffic flow, or current construction, but I know some limo drivers use the Throgs Neck bridge if the Whitestone and Van Wyck are messed up. Not sure which Long Island highway it dumps you on, but it isn't all that much longer to JFK. I think it takes you into the airport entry from a different side. If you don't have GPS, you can do a Mapquest or similar route for the Throgs Neck method. To get to the Throgs Neck, you can still take the Hutch but then get on 95 W toward NYC which is clearly marked after you pass the Mount Vernon exits. The Throgs Neck exit off 95 is well-marked.

If you aren't used to it, the Hutch splits around New Rochelle. Make sure you don't follow the signs to the George Washington Bridge, which might also say to I95. Follow the signs for the Hutch south and the Whitestone. That would also get you to where there is access to 95 off the Hutch is if you need to use the Throgs Neck. There are actually 2 different entrances to 95off that stretch of the Hutch a few miles apart,, and the second one gets you to the Throgs Neck with less of 95 to cover.

Look at a map on line or otherwise and it would make it all less confusing. If you want to the terminal by 5, I agree that to be safe, you'd want to get to the Hutch no later than say 3:00. If traffic is okay, you would get there well before 5, even as early as 4 or better, but better safe than sorry.

ETA: It's supposed to be pretty rainy tomorrow, and that, coupled with the snow melt off, could mess up the Hutch (after the GW Bridge split) and Van Wyck with closure and flooding issues as is does on occasion. If that's the case, taking 95 to the Throgs Neck would make sense. If you decide you need to do that, you can still take the Merritt to the Hutch and about 5 minutes into New York you can pick of I287 southbound and it's a short ride to the entrance to 95. From there you can still access either the Whitestone, (which puts you further down the Hutch) or the Throgs Neck.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a way to get an EZ Pass tag in CT? I have been searching, but not finding.

 

[8893]

I got our EZ Passes several years ago, through New Jersey via mail iirc. I don't think there is anywhere to walk in and buy them, if that's what you're asking.

 

[8893]

BTW, I'm sure it would be a hard thing to consider under the circumstances at this point, but if you could bear to say goodbye to her from your driveway instead of at JFK--and if she's okay to deal with the airport herself, which she'll have to do once she gets to security in any event--I'd strongly recommend a car service if you're not familiar with driving it yourself. Hy's Limo out of New Haven provides very good, reliable, safe service to NYC area airports in my experience. It ain't cheap, but all things considered it is often money well spent imo. Depending on where I'm going, who I'm going with, how long I'll be gone, how much stuff I have and who is paying, I do everything from public transportation (works especially well for LaGuardia in my experience) to driving to being driven. This sounds like a situation where a car service might be a good option, assuming public transportation is not.

 

[Waquoit]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a way to get an EZ Pass tag in CT?

No, you need to buy from an EZ-Pass state. Maybe this link might help - LINK.

It's worth it to get one. Only costs a buck a month.

 

[boog204]

can't help you with driving; personally I'd train it from new haven to grand central, then subway to the air train. but I will say that getting an EZ Pass was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I don't even do that many trips that require it, but it just makes everything easier and less of a hassle.

 

[UCweCONN]

Take CT Limo shuttle service.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Well, we survived the trek to JFK. We left East Glastonbury at about 12:15 and arrived at JFK at about 3:15, including a stop of about 20 minutes. We left JFK at about 5:10 p.m. and got back by about 7:50 p.m., going fast with no stops. It was slow going after we left JFK, picked up well after the Whitestone Bridge, slowed in Stamford, then good the rest of the way.

All in all, not too bad. Thanks for advice, one and all. This was not a time to send our daughter in a limo, but maybe when she comes home....

 

[husky99]

Take CT Limo shuttle service.

hell yes.

Barcelona rocks, the night life does not start until 1 am. Went in my early 30'sand had a blast, but had friends "study" in Barcelona when I was in London and said it was wild

 

[dtrumpet]

Well, we survived the trek to JFK. We left East Glastonbury at about 12:15 and arrived at JFK at about 3:15, including a stop of about 20 minutes. We left JFK at about 5:10 p.m. and got back by about 7:50 p.m., going fast with no stops. It was slow going after we left JFK, picked up well after the Whitestone Bridge, slowed in Stamford, then good the rest of the way.

All in all, not too bad. Thanks for advice, one and all. This was not a time to send our daughter in a limo, but maybe when she comes home....

Glad all went well. I'd have thought leaving jfk at 5:10 would have meant a close to 4 hour ride home. The traffic gods were with you!
Hope your daughter does well.

 

[uconnfan68]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a way to get an EZ Pass tag in CT? I have been searching, but not finding.

We got ours via NY, when my daughter was going to school there. Still use them.

 

[Waquoit]

Well, we survived the trek to JFK. We left East Glastonbury at about 12:15 and arrived at JFK at about 3:15, including a stop of about 20 minutes. We left JFK at about 5:10 p.m. and got back by about 7:50 p.m., going fast with no stops. It was slow going after we left JFK, picked up well after the Whitestone Bridge, slowed in Stamford, then good the rest of the way.

All in all, not too bad. Thanks for advice, one and all. This was not a time to send our daughter in a limo, but maybe when she comes home....

Thanks for the update. I was curious.