@@Vehicles-And-Stuffthat is state, not city. All highways in NYC are 50 mph - even the LIE. As soon as you hit the Queens border there is a 50 mph sign.
That was always the plan. ~Upstate NYer with 0 desire to visit the city and barely likes driving on country roads let alone in cities. I had to drive in Boston (technically Cambridge but the distinction is like pretending Yonkers isn't basically NYC) for work before and of course my timing aligned perfectly with leaving in rush hour traffic, i have never been more amazed at the power of "traffic snakes" to halt traffic fully outside the city leaving the city before.
I think an essential driving skill you learn from driving in NY is to not have road rage from inconsiderate drivers. There are way too many inconsiderate and dangerous drivers to be angry, and you just have to accept it and drive defensively
Yeah, its so funny how flustered people from out of state get over the smallest things. NYC actually makes for sharper better drivers. And they won't flip out over some trivial person cutting them off.
Good point. A lot of that could be said for any major city, I think. I've been to 42 states and 4 provinces and "crazies" are everywhere. You just have to learn to keep with whatever the flow is and not to let anything get to you; Keep Calm - Carry On kinda applies out there.
I am from NJ and frequently in the city. What you believe to be inconsiderate drivers are really not to those of us who understand what is happening. Actually in a strange sort of way I find in many areas they are actually more courteous, for instance you will rarely see an issue at a merge point and there are many of them, a virtually all of us simply alternate merge (i.e. every other car) my most memorable of that is a situation where a 5 lane highway had to merge into a single lane because of an accident, because we all merged we never stopped moving, slow yes but never stoppen. also the freeway speed limit is 50 mph not 55. Another local Civil highway engineer.
@@dmac6004 my idea of inconsiderate drivers are the BMW/Civic drivers who swerve in and out of lanes in between cars at the tightest spots, typically going 35+mph more than the current flow of traffic. It's frankly ridiculous that people drive like this, risking countless lives and innocent families. But you could either be pissed all day every day you drive down a NY highway/parkway, or you can accept it, be aware of your surroundings, drive defensively, and get out of their way
Very valid point and a friendly reminder. Being on the road is a mix of different drivers and levels of driving. I've been patiently told by a friend that road rage isn't worth it and it's true. Just avoid those drivers
One you missed is short yellows. In fact, you blow through a red light at 6:20. Traffic lights in NYC are set up to go from green to red with the yellow lasting only about 1 second. When I lived in Queens, but worked in Long Island, I had to keep aware of the difference between the 5-10 second yellow lights out there and the short yellows in NYC. Useful tip: Use the ubiquitous, lighted Walk/Don't Walk signs as a heads-up for when the traffic light will change. They'll flash red for about 10 seconds or so before a light change. Learn about The Better Car Rule: Whoever has the better car is the one who has to be careful. This does not apply to taxis/car services, who don't give a crap either way. As a lifelong New Yorker, the best advice I can give is this: In any given situation, try to imagine the most stupid, most obnoxious, most oblivious, most selfish, most idiotic thing someone can do and mentally prepare yourself for it. A lot of times you will not be disappointed.
I've only been ticketed for speeding on woodhaven, never for going through a red light. New york city is designed for driving through red lights (just as they are turning red). You'll often see multiple cars go through an intersection after it turns red. As long as they are not interrupting the flow of the adjacent intersection, its fair game, and you'll see traffic cops don't give a damn if you go through the light just as it turns red. Imagine coming from florida where a camera ticket is like minimum $171 or $250, and here its just a measly $50
@@RyanLeague It's not that simple. The reason the fine is so low is because with the cameras, they don't know who's driving the car. So the owner of the car gets the $50 fine, not the driver, so no points. I know because I was caught by a speed camera I didn't know about on Queens Boulevard, right where you come out of the tunnel under the LIE (I was wondering why everyone was driving so slow. Now I know). However, if someone gets pulled over by the cops for running a red light in NYC, the fine to the driver could be somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. If you get a second one within 18 months, then on top of the fine, you have to pay a "driver responsibility assessment" of at least $300 over the course of 3 years. Instead of "Excelsior" the state motto should be "Hand over your wallet".
Props for driving in NYC and getting footage of the entire city! Your rules are for the most part, spot on. The no left turn rule usually applies in the daytime; there's too many people walking on the street. Most highways are 50mph, or in the case of FDR Drive, 40mph. Double parking is illegal (except for street cleaning), but rarely enforced. One big rule for driving in NYC: *You can't drive scared.* You'll cause a lot more problems if you're driving like you're afraid of an accident. I was born and raised in NYC, and I learned to drive in Manhattan of all places. Talk about trial by fire.
@@JakeSDN Many times people will get ticketed for double parking, but it's neccesary for people to make deliveries and pickups. I do work for a trucking company which services the NYC area, and it's amazing how many times there's just no place to park a box truck. The only way to do the job would be to double park and many time we've gotten ticketed.
The no-right-on-red protects pedestrians, and gives them a fighting chance of getting across the street. The left-turn restrictions greatly help traffic flow, and also protect pedestrians. There’s a whole art and science to driving, walking, or biking in Manhattan.
Correction: Double Parking is ALWAYS illegal, even during street cleaning. The traffic agents just let it fly since they know theres no parking elsewhere and you've moved from the spot that needs to be cleaned.. BUT you can still risk a ticket for it, plus this only happens in certain areas.
Plus 5 points here. The only time it makes sense to drive into NYC is if you have a car full of people and you are just going to park in one place for the whole time. A round trip on the subway/Path is $5.50 - the toll inbound alone is $16. Driving will save you no time, and finding (legal) spots to park your car will take longer still and will force you to walk at least a few blocks anyway. If you really have money to burn and you’re trying to get crosstown you can uber once you’re in the city.
If you live in Eastern Queens you essentially have to drive. When I lived in Bayside I would use LIRR if I needed to get into the city. I’d take the bus if I was going somewhere not too far. Other than that, I essentially had to drive. My commute to work was 15 minutes by car. With public transit it would take over an hour riding on either two busses or on LIRR and then the bus. Mind you I only lived 10 miles away from my job.
@@DarrienGlasser I try to take the train into the city whenever I go, but unfortunately living on Long Island, to go literally anywhere else I have to go through the city. Even avoiding Manhattan by taking the Throgs Neck or Verazanno bridges are still a nightmare.
Bravo! You nailed it. You can understand that as a trucker, I declined trips into or out of Manhattan. Here's how to circumnavigate the parking problem as a visitor. Stay at the La Quinta in Secaucus, NJ. It's a nice hotel with free parking. Across the street is a bus stop that will take you to Penn Station in 15 minutes.
I have visited Manhattan four times as tourist but have only slept there once. Motels in New Jersey are a fraction of the price and, as you wrote, the bus or train ride into Manhattan is less than twenty minutes.
As a NYC native who started out driving in Manhattan and The Bronx, I really feel like I'm at an advantage when it comes to defensive driving and being aware of my surroundings than people in every other state. Also on basically every parkway with winding roads in Westchester and LI everybody is speeding 20+ over the limit. I routinely find myself going 75 on the Saw Mill Parkway and there's still people weaving around me. Driving here I think makes everyone a better driver not necessarily smarter but better.
@@JakeSDN the Sprain is probably one of the fastest Westchester highways at night it never has cops so people go 90+. The Bronx river Parkway is also fun to speed down at night, especially if you go down it enough to know every turn
I grew up in the Midwest and have lived in the Orlando metro for 25 years now, which at times can have truly awful traffic. I’ve also driven right through downtown areas of huge cities like Chicago and L.A. myself. But NYC is one place I’ve really had NO desire to drive through. I’m sure I’d survive, and I’m very used to driving in many many big cities. But while I’m a very experienced and defensive driver, I’m also a big stickler for the rules. Every day I get frustrated by people not using turn signals, speeding, not leaving safe distances, not maintaining their cars, tailgating, passing in no passing zones, not knowing how to use roundabouts, etc. So although I’ve been to NYC a handful of times, driving there would absolutely make my head explode. I’ve gotten stressed out and it’s felt like a roller coaster just taking cabs there. Wow. Thankfully NYC has some pretty good public transit.
It's true about the drivers in NYC don't follow rules. The lane lines are really suggestion and any open spot of pavement is fair game. However I will say one redeeming thing is NYC drivers are "predictably" aggresive, which paradoxically may be safer cuz you know how other drivers are going to act ...
Orlando - I’m in Jacksonville. Seems to me they drive about the same, [ just as aggressive], but with no regard as to speed. Florida drivers seem to have no concept of “speed-limit “. Interstate 4 has been, for many years, THE most dangerous stretch of highway in the US, but seems they’ve done a fantastic job on it - at least through the Orlando area. 🚗🙂
@@jeffking4176 I agree with that about I-4. The stretch through Orlando (thankfully about 98% complete except for the extreme north side by Sanford) is absolutely worlds better and pretty nice now. But that stretch from just south of Disney all the way to Tampa? Holy crap is it horrendous. No matter the time of year or day. Not just traffic, but the road itself, constantly being worked on, lanes shifting and mismarked, stretches like coarse grit sandpaper, etc. I’m up in Jacksonville just once a year, and have run into traffic there too on the freeways. But I get more confused by some of the non-freeway roads downtown. We may not have snow and freezing weather here, but the heat can do a number on our roads. And even more so, the explosive growth and number of people. I’ve heard that stat on I-4 though, and mile per mile, I believe it.
The no turn on red law is actually pretty well followed in my experience. It's a pedestrian safety thing cuz they're in the crosswalk but driver is looking other way for oncoming traffic if they're trying to make a right on red.
Spot on. Only times I’ve seen anyone turn right on red are: 1) ones who run red lights all the time and don’t care. 2) Careless tourists with a rental car or has a plate that’s not NY, CT, PA or NJ
He did mention it needing better signage for outsiders like myself who are used to the norm being right on red. The irritating thing with right on red is its not inherently unsafe because you are SUPPOSED to come to a complete stop as if its a stopsign before proceeding to enter the intersection. And normally it is only forbidden in locations where it is particularly unsafe like a complicated intersection or an intersection with terrible visibility. But based on these clips, NYC definitely needs the blanket ban on right on red turning. (Just make it obvious for people used to obeying the traffic rules where right on red is normally fine.)
@@jasonreed7522 agreed. I mean NYC does put those signs telling the no turn on red rule and citywide speed limit at the city’s entry points and airport exits. But those signs really are not big and obvious enough for many visitors. The city definitely needs to do better with these signs. And when it comes to safety, What’s safe for drivers aren’t necessarily safe for other road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
The problem he mentioned was that there is often no indicator. Leave NYC and any intersection where right turning on red is illegal, there's a sign for that.
I live in a suburban area and I hate turning right on red at massive stroad intersections, because I have trouble telling what lane people are driving in...I usually only make the turn once all lanes are clear (if it happens before the light turns green) 😅
One note I would add after working there for ten years is that you should have your tires checked. Anytime you pull over into a parking spot you are vulnerable to picking up a nail, a spike or other sharp object as the areas near curbs tend to gather lots of debris.
… and keep your gas tank full by filling up before you arrive into the city. The outer boroughs are a little better but you definitely don’t want to be in Manhattan and have your tank on E and be subject to the far and few between gas stations on the island as well practically double the price of the national average.
To hell with debris, there’s severe wear on plentiful stretches of pavement to where a flat or blowout may happen out of nowhere. Even moreso if one has a car with low profile tires… Scratching the surface, that city would rather better maintain their 25 mph streets than their 40-50 mph highways. The ramp between NB I-95 east of Henry Hudson/GWB to southbound Harlem River Drive (just about FDR) and the Battery Park Underpass northbound right as it turns into West Street we’re some extraordinarily ROUGH stretches even to Southern Michigan & worst case scenario Oklahoma standards… and typically said states are as rough as things possibly get.
Some places like Staten Island in winter you can get your tires punctured because someone thinks you took 'their spot' when it really is public parking.
My goodness, as a born and bred New Yorker, now residing in Florida, I'd say you handled that quite well! I cut my driving teeth in NYC, and one of my last jobs in NY was as a courier. My route was from Manhattan to Montauk on any given day, traveling the world's longest parking lot and other congested roads, suchas the Northern and Southern State Parkways, as well as Jericho Tpke and 25A, Sunrise Highway, or The Conduit as it is called west of Valley Stream. Yes, we call all the roadways by name, and I do think it is because of the reason you referenced. Here in FL, many of the roadways have dual indicators as well, although there are only four major interstates. Bravo to you for being able to navigate NY roadways, and come away with your sanity intact!
As a former New Yorker I can say you did an excellent job of explaining driving in NYC, what one can and cannot do. But like any New Yorker, you do what you gotta do (and can get away with) driving the mean streets of NY. Really good job with this video.
i live in nyc and drive all the time, and he’s spot on in this video, especially rule #5. i had some friends visit out of state and said that my driving habits would get me road raged where they lived. They were also shocked that it took 40 minutes to go 2 miles 😂 To drive in NYC you need to be an aggressive AND a DEFENSIVE driver. like my foot is honestly hovering my brake most of the time and i also developed supernatural instincts on when a car is about to do some stupid shit
YUP. Driving in the city is ALL defensive driving ALL the time. The starting and stopping constantly i'm sure would drive folks from rural areas a little insane. Before I drove here I did bike messenger work in the city so the defensive driving came natural because my mind was already conditioned for it
Most driving rules in other parts of the US don't apply to NYC. Hell, most of the other drivers will go crazy because there's no right turn on red (unless a sign says it's ok). I've seen thousands of dashcam videos and the comments are crazy; they hate left lane drivers with a passion. They won't survive in NYC because every square inch counts. We're pretty aggressive, but there's a method to the madness. Also, it's not personal, we've got places to be. 🙂Respect. ✊
To drive in the city you need to know how to avoid those two miles forty minute situations. You need to know when to go, and how to go. And if you can't avoid those ugly situations - take the subway, walk or don't go. NYC is a walkers city.
A friend of mine in NYC owns a large condo unit that came with two parking spots. He has since bought two more parking spots in the building. He has 1 car and rents the other 3 spots out at what I consider outrageous monthly fees. I live in LA and even by LA standards his prices are high. He said he has no problems finding customers.
I have to say as someone that grew up in NYC, you are spot on! I moved to New Jersey 2 years ago because of the traffic congestion and lack of parking. And yes the BQE is literal hell you can lose your mind driving.
I have a Dutch driving license for 40 years, as I live in the Netherlands. But in September 2011 i drove in NYC, also Manhattan. Without any problems. And I enjoyed it. If you think NYC is bad, look at the traffic in the Peruvian capital Lima. I drove there as well and that was really funny. And a great experience!
This is why you don’t drive in to NYC. Get the train instead we have a lot of them (this biggest subway system in the USA) and they go most places in the city for only $2.75 and it works Most of the time and is Easy to navigate ther is also the Long Island Rail Road and metro north for Long Island and west Chester and upstate. And Amtrak and NJ transit
Yup. Especially for CT/Hudson River Valley most of the Metro North stations has 'park n ride' spots with train service to/from Manhattan usually from about 5am-1am 7 days a week.
The same applies to the area of New Jersey directly across the river from the city. The only difference is that we'd call parkways that pre-date the Interstate system as "Routes" so it's Route 4 and Route 17.
Lived in or near Philly most of my life but moved to North jersey 10-12 years ago and have to drive through NYC often for my job. He is not exaggerating. This is 100% accurate!
Yep to all observations! I have some fine funny memories of learning the not-so-gentle art of aggressively defensive NYC driving. The only change I would suggest would be to escalate your brief mention of watching out for pedestrians to a whole rule on its own - NYC folks are some of the boldest jaywalkers I've ever experienced, outdone only by Bostonians. Which prompts me to recommend you do a similar video on driving around Boston. I went to college there and I swear all the stories about crazy Boston drivers are true - and don't even get me started about Boston's insanely laid out streets and highways!
Bravo, for an out-of-towner, you nailed it. It's dog eat dog here. I was driving a delivery truck, sometimes an 18 wheeler, from age 15- without a license. I learned to just hit them- they get the message. Driving in NYC was good prep for driving in Marrakesh, Naples, India, and other lawless places, tho things are much calmer now than when I was young when, truly, back then: anything goes. We used to drive on the sidewalk, against a one-way street, and back up the entire block. You had to work to get a ticket in NY. The 25mph speed limit is a money making hoax. The speed limit was 30mph for decades until they checked the city budget. There are speed cameras everywhere in Manhattan, plus cameras for red lights. Luckily, these tickets are not the normal kind, have no points, and only cost $50 after they send you your ticket by mail. Camera tickets are illegal in NJ, so have at it, and the speed limit is only a suggestion. It can still take 30 minutes to go one block in Manhattan, so never follow Google. At $14.75 just to enter the island, at my age I avoid the place.
Good job Mike. You’ve learned a great deal in a short period. Driving in midtown requires continuous awareness, and a high level of aggression, just to keep up.
Instead of topping up your EZ-Pass beforehand, you can also configure it to automatically to top up when it gets below a specific amount. Mine was actually configured that way from the start, and the threshold amount is automatically re-calculated every month based on your usage. Also, since I live in New Jersey, when I drive into the City, I take the Lincoln Tunnel, park at Port Authority Bus Terminal, and use the Subway and busses to get around.
I think that NYC really suffers by allowing massive trucks in the densest parts of the city. I’ve seen so many trucks get stuck or crash that I feel like it would really help reduce the cost of road maintenance and accidents by simply having distribution centers outside the city in NJ or in Westchester county and having the final miles driven by smaller vans or lorries.
The problem with taking the trucks off the highways is how do you get the freight into the city? While New Jersey has a well developed freight rail network, if you want to send your goods into New York City or Long Island by rail you have two choices: either send the rail car on a multi-day journey up to Selkirk, NY, near Albany, or use the NYNJ car float operation that makes one or two tips per day by barge between Greenville Yard in New Jersey and Bay Ridge Yard in Brooklyn taking 12 to 15 rail cars at a time. The freight traffic heading to Long Island takes back seat to LIRR commuter operation. That's why trucks are, despite the traffic congestion, the fastest way to move freight.
You drove it all in NYC. You did the impossible and escaped NYC with little to no problems. Congrats! BTW Mike, the Citywide Speed Limit on the highways is 50. Not 55. And if you think NYC is bad? Try checking out L.A.! L.A. has the worst traffic in the U.S. (especially on the freeways) at any given day, and L.A. is like half of NYC in terms of population.
I think LA has worse traffic but more courteous drivers… at least that was my experience. No one is going to make that right turn from the left hand lane and cut you off.
It was back in the 60s. I was in the Navy, and I took the train from San Diego to Los Angeles. I got off the train and asked the cab driver "Where's the City?" At least when you get off a train in New York, you KNOW where the city is.
Rule 12: do not use the belt parkway or the Van Wyck Expressway in Brooklyn/Queens after 11am on the weekends, either direction. It will be backed up for miles. I knew of this and still went to the Aquarium in Coney Island last year. Took me 40 minutes to get there and twice that to get back to my home in Westchester County. The only good thing about that is that my EV got so much energy back from the stop and go traffic that I only used 17 miles of energy for the 31 mile trip.
This is very accurate. As an NJ resident, I've driven into NYC a few times in my life for specific purposes, but because it's such a hassle I almost always take the train into NYC and use the subways or walk to get around. It's just easier. Another option you can explore, especially if you're from out of the area and looking to 'see the sights', is driving to Staten Island and taking the Ferry to Manhattan. It's FREE, it's convenient, and of all of the boroughs, Staten Island probably has the easiest parking. Plus, many visitors don't even realize Staten Island IS New York City, so you get to see a bit of the 'forgotten borough' that has a surprising number of parks and nature preserves.
Rule 7A: When traveling on the Avenues (as well as Broadway), stay towards the center lane until you're about 2 blocks from where you need to turn. This helps you avoid all the vehicles stopped on either side of the road. Rule 11: Taxis, Limos, Bicycle messengers and delivery riders on scooters DO NOT CARE! The light is red? Don't care, I have to make my delivery. Need to discharge passengers on a busy street? Don't care, I'll stop wherever I feel like it. One more thing about expressways versus parkways: if you're driving a truck, you WILL have to get off the parkway at some point regardless of whether the cops catch you or not. The bridges on most parkways are too low for a truck to pass under. 🙂
Two things: If you have to drive in the city, the quickest way is the way that involves the least number of turns. If you need to drive from A Ave and B St to X Ave and Y st, drive all the way across B St to X Ave, turn and drive to Y St. When I first got to NYC, I had to move a ton of boxes in my car from my sister's in NJ to my apartment in Queens, which meant going through the Holland Tunnel and driving across Manhattan to the Williamsburg Bridge. Almost every road out of the tunnel forced me to Canal St., which took forever to cross. It was much faster to cross Manhattan on Houston St., although it took great effort to find a way to get to it -- the effort was worth it.
Great video! This gave me flashbacks when I had a car in NYC. Terrible idea. I would also add the street cleaning schedule. As per nyc law you are not allowed to have a vehicle parked on the streets for more than 7 days so the city conducts street cleaning on one side of the street at least once a week to clean the streets as well as to have people move their cars out of the way. Where I live (Washington heights) this is enforced but what most drivers do is that they would double park on the other side of the street and as soon as the cleaning time passes they would park the vehicles again on the cleaned side.
Agreed. Yes, as far as critiques of the video, I would definitely take some time to have visitors focus on the street signs up and down the entire block, or certainly the area where they’ve parked, to be absolutely certain that although the parking spot is vacant, that it’s also legal to park there at all (which often times is the reason the spot is vacant in the first place)
@@Batmarc6 And we need some information on how the new parking meters work. You need to have a credit card to use the meter, and one meter is for a dozen or so parking spaces. And you must buy your parking ticket from the correct meter, so check the signs carefully so you know which meter is yours.
@@eliasthienpont6330The ParkNYC app is also a great alternative if you don't want to go to a machine. The app auto pings your location (if your location services is on) and brings up the meter zone that closest to where you're located. And as you said, you still gotta check the signs because it's easy to put the zone across the street instead of the one you're parked at.
Trucks don't drive on parkways because they are usually 12.5 (13') feet high and overpasses are generally only 11 (11.5') feet clearance. Most being built back in the days of the WPA (c. 1933). 30 years ago I was traveling to New Jersey, through the Bronx, When I entered the Bronx it looked like post war Berlin, Germany with all the 'damaged/destroyed' buildings. Coming back I spent a Hour on the Washington Bridge with Traffic delays. Man, that bridge sways!
Honestly i'm an european taxi driver I live in paris and I must say that all the things ive seen in your video applies to literally all big cities in europe with a downtown area, its just funny to see the perspective of an american of what we call all the things you listed as "normal" here in europe. At least I know I'll be comfortable and relaxed should I ever drive in nyc :P
For a non-New Yorker and first time driver, your analysis was excellent! Someone else commented about the short yellow lights, so that might be number 11 on your list. Always remember when driving in NYC, the best defense is a good offense!
As a born and breed NYer. TRUCKERS. Stay OFF Parkways. It’s more than a Ticket. You’ll get your Trailer destroyed like a sardine can. All the parkways have low bridges. Every week I see a truck ripped open by a bridge on the Northbound Henry Hudson PKWY. Or the Cross island parkway.
He forgot the navigator - having a person watching Google maps for congestion can save lots of time. Also do not forget 880 and 1010 on the AM radio - their traffic reports are usually every 10 minutes. That and having an alternate route planned can be another time saver.
I want to add, you're right that there are no signs for outsiders on turning red. The only I've seen, is on Dyer Ave and 34 St exit of the Lincoln Tunnel. Also, people only abide to the 25mph because of the speed cameras. Really great video! You really explained NYC driving perfectly! Especially the frequent stopping.
I def agree that if u can’t be assertive/aggressive on the pedal, they’ll eat you alive. (Their horn-game is no joke). They use them to communicate (quite well actually). Once u get into it, you’re good, but the growing pains hurt (feels like road-bullying at first). Then u realize they’re just trying to communicate w/u the best/quickest way they know how. Before u know it, you’re cussing and honking and stealing any space you can to expedite your trip, so as to have to cuss less (hopefully). Tbh I’m from San Diego and got to practice driving in Tijuana BC (so I’m kinda cheating). Sh-t is fun tho
ive found parking usually depends on time of day. midday when people have commuted out ive never had too much issue finding parking almost anywhere. at night ive found business/mixed use areas to often have plenty of (free at night) curbside parking if you're choosing to drive to avoid poor late night mta service. my personal ranking on driving in nyc (excluding staten island :p) queens > manhattan > bronx > brooklyn queens once youre further than closer to manhattan becomes pretty comfortable to drive in being more LI-esque than any other part of town manhattan, if youre not trapped in congestion, is actually laid out very logically from a car perspective. the FDR & HRD are gorgeous drives, and if you catch the green light wave going north or south you can blast through most of the island pretty quickly. it's pretty nuts. this doesnt include harlem (intentionally extra congested bc of robert moses' racism) and parts of downtown that are older. the bronx has probably the worst road quality of all the boroughs, say goodbye to your suspension. the streets arent too confusingly laid out, but bruckner expressway deserves an award for being one of the worst designed roads ever created, both for cars and pedestrians. an absolute nightmare where if youre not in specifically one of four lanes all of a sudden youre blocked off from where you need to go by a divider & easily missable signs. even with a gps its extremely easy to get stuck on the wrong road for the next mile or so if youre not familiar with how the lanes change. also the cross bronx expressway of course. robert moses ensured the bronx would be his personal torture chamber for commuters and truckers alike. brooklyn is easily the worst. terrible road quality & nonsensical layout for cars. it feels chaotic & random, you can almost never be sure how the road after the next intersection will drive. this isnt even including how absurdly bad the double parking problem is here, navigating some neighborhoods becomes a real test of skill and frustration.
I'm 59 I live in North Jersey and drive alot in the city. This and the Jersey vid you did is spot on ! People should lusten to EVERYTHING you say. Great job.
As a native NYer it’s always interesting to hear an outside perspective. I like most NYers learned to drive late, the train (we don’t call it the subway) is how most get around. The right no turn is a given for us so we never thought it could be made to begin with so maybe that’s why no signs. Oddly enough when I stated driving to other states I kept getting. Honked at red light right turns because it’s not expected to be able to turn. We also don’t use miles to describe distance we usually give directions in terms of time, like 10 mins to the bridge.
As a NYer of over 30 years, thank you for doing God's work by filming your drives through the streets of NYC. Also, did you get to experience Snake Way aka the Jackie Robinson?
@@JakeSDNI’d love more freeway around Paris, but they just build star-shaped into the city center and straight line into the countryside. Only one freeway for cruising it’s the inside ring which is very cool when not overcrowded. (So at night basically) There’s A86 which is the correctest urban freeway I guess but it’s partly tolled and obviously also overcrowded
I've always wondered why NY can't get a bridge between Connecticut and Long Island (Oyster Bay Bridge). That would alleviate so much truck traffic. Forget the NIMBYs, someone can definitely make it happen.
Long Island always wants to conserve history 😂. Like nobody gives a fuck about oyster bay if you don't like your house value than just move out of state
I drive everyday in the city as a chauffeur and i think you did an excellent job laying out tips. Always look at the crosswalk sign blinking as it will indicate when its going to turn red. Don't follow too close to taxis as they will stop without signaling and cut across traffic. Uber drivers are oblivious to what they are doing as well.
I drove a taxi in Manhattan as a part time job during undergrad at Fordham U. You had to be 19 to get a hack license. Back then, most of the yellow taxis were part of large fleets. I drove for Ike-Stan out of Long Island City. It was pretty miserable. Most cabs were not air conditioned back then. I still recall sitting in grid-locked traffic on Park Avenue, in July, without a fare. It really didn’t phase me, though. My father drove a tractor-trailer in Manhattan delivering heavy oil to hospitals and other large buildings. Driving a little Dodge cab was a piece of cake compared to what he did.
I’ve been to NYC for the first time, drove a bit through the big city and you are NOT wrong about Manhattan’s incredible gridlike roadway system. I like your informative Road videos! Subbed!
All these rules are very good. I’d say the most stressful part of it is the continual random stopping vehicles, just wherever they want; and then that people basically just do whatever they want. People will find any little space available and insert their car/truck/bike into that space.
Many parking zones are governed by multiple rules. The stack of signs confuses people, but it should not. The top sign is the most restrictive rule, the one below is the next most restrictive and so on. Its a simple reading test and if each sign as you read down allows you to park, then you can park. The signs are mounted diagonally to the curb so the arrows make sense too. People get tripped up by NOT reading the full sign details, such as AM or PM or assuming that all meters are in effect during all business hours but not beyond them. There are many exceptions to what seem like norms, and this is how I have gotten most tickets I ever received.
All I can add to the already helpful comments from my fellow New Yorkers is this: this is one of the best cities to drive in because everyone else is expecting you to do the dumbest thing possible. So it’s actually quite rare to see a fender bender or serious accident that wasn’t caused by speeding, red light running or someone with Jersey plates. 😊
I started driving in Manhattan in 1986 when I was 17. Great video. In the 70s the signs would say “NO RIGHT ON RED” so people would turn left on red if the intersection was two one-ways with one street going left. Then when too many violations were being dismissed they taped “TURN” over “RIGHT” and the situation was corrected…
The parking issue is pretty bad, but it’s not as bad as you describe. I occasionally drive into downtown from Long Island at night (after 11pm) and can find plenty of parking on Broadway and Church Street by the WTC.
I used to drive down to Manhattan from Upstate and Connecticut every weekends in my early 20s, and now I am living in cities in Asia that are even more crowded than NYC. What I wanna say is, despite the chaos you described, NYC drivers are much more sensible and have many hidden rules that made driving a much more smoother experience. Such as, as long as you turned on a blinker and have a room to change lane, the other drivers will almost take their foot off their gas pedal and let you through. Also, when someone in the right lane is swirling to the left cuz someone double park there... Drivers in the middle lane will also swirl into the left lane together with you
Some of that is just defensive driving, if someone swerves into you the most logical action is to also try and evade. And fun fact, its litterally NY law that if someone signals intent to enter your lane you must yield to them if you are the car in the position to do so, and the same law also requires yielding to someone taking maneuvers to avoid an obstacle in their lane. (Its truly amazing what such a simple law can do to improve your experience on the highway, even if its barely enforced its atleast taught to new drivers so a higher percentage of people actually yield when appropriate.)
@@jasonreed7522 My experience in Florida is that if you signal to change lanes then the driver in the lane you want to merge into is speeding up so you can't get in front of him. RUDE RUDE RUDE Florida drivers
@@jasonreed7522 Similar rule in Hong Kong (not sure it is written or informal - but everyone does it). The ramps in Hong Kong are usually no more than 1-3 car lengths and are very closely spaced so there would be complete logjam if HKers applied the "try to prevent them from getting in" rules applicable in most of the rest of the USA. After 20 years of driving there it never ceases to amaze me what a massive improvement this simple courtesy makes - even with the complex 3-dimensional road system of HK.
Thanks for taking the time to explore this topic. A broader point not emphasized is that much of the hassle is, and should be, by design. You were in those moments exactly the kind of driver the city rightfully wants to discourage: a single passenger in what is likely a pickup or SUV. The city is rich in mss transit, pedestrian and increasing micro-mobility options. Barring right turns on red saves lives at a rather steady rate and speeds over 20 miles per hour result in fatal impacts with significantly greater frequency for each additional 10 m/h. Exhaust and tire erosion are huge factors in childhood asthma and developmental delays. Overall, the City needs to eliminate nuisance driving so that the remaining vehicles are only those truly needed for disability access, commerce, infrastructure and emergency services.
I can relate to slow driving, narrow roads, and people who recklessly disobey road rules. I recently went to New Orleans for the first time in 14 years, the last time I went was probably when I was around 5. But instead of going to New Orleans during a normal part of the year, I went during Mardi Gras. I like to obey most road laws and drive safely. However, in New Orleans I quickly found that isn't the respected status quo. I got off of I-10 and into downtown near a hospital. Immediately upon exiting the exit ramp, I noticed an ambulance leaving a bay of a hospital and then turning on its lights. I looked for a place to pull over as they turned on their sirens. I signaled my intent to pull over and then put on my hazards. A random guy in a random van immediately stopped as the ambulance was approaching and began honking. The dude started honking at me. I rolled down my window and yelled "Bro, move out of the way, there's a fucking ambulance with its lights and sirens on!". I then proceeded to drive toward Audubon Park. The streets were narrow and cars were street parked on both sides. On occasion, I would have to pull over to let oncoming cars pass. How ever on at least 2 occasions while giving room for one car to pass, some idiot would fail to understand the rules of right of way and would try and cut through both of us. Each time I nearly clipped into them after signaling my attempt to remerge back onto the street.
Great video, my introduction to NYC traffic was driving a 24' Box truck in to a Saturday farmers market on the upper East Side when I was 18...and then getting out, after a while I got the hang of it, but those first few trips where a trial by fire. In the through Lincoln tunnel, across town through times square, turn left on 1st in front of the UN. The timed one way street red lights are thing of beauty though, often drove from East 67th to the Willis Avenue Bridge on 1st on one green. :)
I think traffic in Manhattan really isn’t that bad unless you are trying to leave. Although transit in the NYC metro area is pretty decent, many suburbs are disconnected and therefore those drivers put so much strain on the river crossings. The manhattan bridge can move 20,000 people per hour by train, but only 2,000 people per hour by personal vehicle, so improving transit connectivity can definitely help reduce traffic in the area in general.
Honestly tho traffic in the city itself really isnt that bad unless you go through certain areas. During peak rush hour same thing dont go to major roads or areas unless u have to. Getting out tho to nj…. Goes from 6 lanes to 2 lanes
@@zofferz0 Traffic is always bad you child rapist. Clearly your dad molested you because that's why you are nothing but a r-tard trying to encourage people to drive in NYC. Trash like you needs to be turned into a punching bag.
@5:17 in the video. The term for making a left turn on a street that you can't make a left on by making 3 right turns around the block is called the "three cushion shot". For those of you who don't know what "three cushion shot" is. The term comes from the game of billiards(pool). It refers to shooting the ball and having it bounce off 3 cushion before going into the pocket. A wall on a billiards(pool) table is called a cushion. You'll hear the term used by taxi drivers in NY all the time.
rule #1 is to turn on "avoid tolls" in Waze, Apple Maps and Google Maps. other than going to NJ you can almost always avoid tolls by spending a couple extra minutes to get somewhere. NYC residents are well aware of this...
Yeah but how much are you willing to divert for what you save. It can be a “couple of minutes”. Let’s put it this yesterday.. I was on 50th street yesterday and decided to take the 59th street bridge instead of going back down to the midtown tunnel. It took longer to get to the bridge than it would’ve to the tunnel.
It depends. No practical way to avoid tolls if you’re crossing the Hudson from the west and driving between Staten Island and Brooklyn. Also going between Bronx and Queens; and between Rockaway and Queens/Brooklyn; the extra drive isn’t worthwhile most of the time.
@@Jabid21 I said other than New Jersey and you can get to Manhattan's FDR and take the 59th street bridge toll free from the Bronx. I've done it a million times
I used to have to drive all those same areas with a 76 foot long tractor trailer. I did it coming up from the South for many years. Talk about having fun.
BQE expressway is the second worst after Cross Bronx Expressway. I’m glad you got the recent footage of the BQE Expressway. Because after they changed the expressway from three lanes to two lanes, it got worse.
We have a plethora of public transportation here in NYC and they are trying to make it walk friendly. I have a car, but I only drive it when I'm going out of the city. Other than that it stays garaged.
As others have mentioned, it's important to be aware of the heavier non-motorized traffic in addition to pedestrians. But if you do find street parking, remember to check your driver's side mirror for approaching bicycles before opening your door. There are a lot of responsible bike commuters in addition to the seemingly lawless bike delivery riders who are all jockeying for the scraps of available roadway. Oftentimes with the tight margins remaining, swerving around a car door popping open is not an option. It seems like many drivers forget that if a (non ebike) bike stops it also looses its balance and all its momentum whereas in a car you're still just sitting there.
I drove the City of Chicago a while. I broke out in a cold sweat every time I approached the city in an auto, because I knew I'd be gripping the wheel and spinning my head in every direction. Only had one accident, a fender bender, but lots of near misses. The best way to go into that city by car is to park at the O'Hare garage and take the train into downtown. Chicago's a small town compared to New York, but still nerve-wracking to drive.
Stopping in the middle of the road is called double parking in New York. There's no available on-street parking pretty much 24/7 in NYC so commercial trucks/vans, mail couriers, and Uber drivers usually double park while they load/unload. It's actually illegal but rarely enforced because people don't block the road for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, which isn't worth sending down a police officer and writing a ticket.
Here is my best tip for driving in New York City: Park at a train station in NJ, CT, or Westchester County, take the train into New York (MTA and NJ Transit both run frequently, including nights and weekends), then subway around New York
As someone who has driven in NYC for decades, this was pretty spot on. The only thing I’d add is that some of the things that the author found most annoying - people squeezing anywhere they can and double parking - are essential for things flowing efficiently and effectively. Might not seem like it, but the ability to color outside the lines is what makes it work. New Yorkers know this, and there are a whole other set of unspoken rules, lines that can be crossed, lines that can not be crossed, signals to read, etc.. There’s a flow and a rhythm - like a dance. If you know it, you don’t think people are “rude”. Unless they are from Jersey. 😂
😂 true! It is a dance! I call it “vehicular ballet.” It’s like walking in the city. There is a New York foot pace and a tourist pace. Once Spring starts you know walking will become problematic.
I remember giving myself a mental pep talk as I approached NYC for the first time. I was on the GWB more than 200 ft before someone cut me off. It immediately lived up to the hype.
I've lived in NYC my entire life and have been driving regularly to Manhattan from Brooklyn for the past 13 years and everything you said was 100% correct. One thing I might add to your list that popping U turns or K turns on 2-way streets is perfectly acceptable and won't get you pulled over. It's a good way to avoid having to circle a few blocks if a left turn you want to take is restricted.
You cannot do any U-Turns, K Turns, or 3-point Turns across Any Double-Yellow lines.... and you Also Cannot do any of those turns in Any Business District! So NO, those turns are NOT Acceptable.
@Caleb Louard Yes, technically it's illegal but I've NEVER seen anyone get pulled over for it. I've done it hundreds, maybe thousands of times, in front of cops sometimes and nada. It's a widely accepted shortcut for getting around the streets of NY. But yeah, I wouldn't recommend doing it anywhere else. Insta-ticket lol
This video is exactly why, despite living about 11-12 miles north west of Manhattan in nj, whenever I go to the city (which is only occasionally) I always take the nj transit commuter train and then use subways/busses/walking to get to wherever I’m going within nyc. You’ll never catch me dead driving into nyc unless for some rare crazy reason I absolutely HAVE TO. Tbh I think, anyone who lives in nj and commutes to nyc regularly for work and doesn’t take either a nj transit train or an nj transit bus into the city is insane. Someone else from NJ pls back me up on this so I don’t feel crazy 😅
I was born and raised in the NYC Area of NJ, and outside of a few times when I actually had to drive THROUGH NYC to get to the other side, I only remember driving into the city three times. I would always use the subway and trains to go to NYC from NJ and get wherever I wanted in the city.
Been a New Yorker for almost half a century and I am impressed by your terrific traffic video. Any one who drives through all five boroughs of NYC must have nerves of steel. Cheers~
That 25 MPH is no joke. I got a speeding ticket in the mail from one of the speed cameras a month after driving in NYC. I was traveling up 10th Ave to 59th Street and somehow the traffic cleared for a microsecond and after being frustrated for blocks I must have hit the gas. The worst part was that I did it in a School Zone, so the fine was doubled. I left a friend's apartment in the Bronx one evening and was headed to the GWB and miracle of miracles the Cross Bronx was relatively clear. It was the smoothest ride I have ever had coming out of NYC. I have a driving dare from anyone outside of NYC. Take the Henry Hudson Tollway North to Mosholu Parkway, then turn off Mosholu onto Gun Hill Road. Take Gun Hill Road to Bronxwood Ave and turn left. I call it the obstacle course because you have double-parked cars to the right and left turns (usually without a turn signal) in the left lane and then the middle lane is for Ubers and private taxis. You win if you don't honk your horn at all from the turn onto Gun Hill to the turn at Bronxwood. Good Luck.
I am from Ireland did a road trip with my dad. We stayed in Westchester to be near family but we did drive over the GW bridge and around the Bronx. It is really surreal even out of Manhattan
It's been a while since I was there ('05), but two things I remember are 1) do not Block the Box and 2) the car behind you will start tapping the horn before the red light has gone out and before the green light if fully illuminated.
Ironically was talking to my wife about not ever wanting to go to NYC for these exact reason the other day. Thanx for cementing it for me with your excellent video, hard pass.
I would say the number 1 rule of driving in NYC is to not do it at all… Take a train or bus (or walk if you can) instead. It will likely save you time, money, and stress. Obviously drive if you have to, but your best bet of getting to NYC is to park and ride into the city.
Nice video, I’d say this was pretty accurate. Though some of these rules apply less on the Eastern side of Queens as it’s more suburban & less congested than Manhattan & Brooklyn.
I had done the drive to Brooklyn very recently. I was dead-set against doing the drive but the train tickets were immensely expensive for my family and the hotel did offer parking. Another part to know about hotel parking is there's no guarantee they'll even have parking spaces available for you. The hotel we stayed at only had 10 spots for 200 rooms. We were SOL for getting anything and had to park on the street. Other tips: Be prepared to be honked at a lot. A LOT. Don't take it personally. Sometimes it's due to someone stopped in your lane because of the frequent stops. Sometimes it's because the guy behind you is a psychotic asshole who wants you to run over the people blocking your path in the crosswalk. Sometimes it's because you did make a mistake like partly blocking the intersection because you misjudged how much room you'll leave behind you for the cars. In any case, no matter what the reason, people are going to honk at you. Car honking is one of the 200 official languages in NYC. Get used to it. And finally, just be very aware that everywhere, lanes are often a few inches narrower than everywhere else, including the highways. A few inches doesn't sound like a lot, but you'll really notice it when you're traveling any expressway in the middle of NYC, and you'll need to get used to the fear that someone is just a few millimeters from sideswiping your side mirror anytime they pass you, especially if you're driving a wide car.
The guy from LIC that cut you over is a TLC driver(Uber and Lyft) you can see from the fact that his licence plate schema(mashed without a space and if you look closer you will see the TLC mark under the number and that the plate starts with T) - TLC Drivers are basically driving like they are having a death wish
I used to drive into Greenwich Village where there would be free parking and then just take the subway everywhere. But that was thirty years ago when tolls weren’t astronomical. Now I always take the train in and walk and use mass transit for my entire stay.
Over the East River from Manhattan, the Queensboro, the Williamsburg, the Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridges are free but the volume of traffic on each of them will show you exactly why they are lol! …and there are also a handful of free bridges between the Bronx and Manhattan over the Harlem River, but that’s about it… Yes, every bridge is a toll otherwise.
As a rookie truck driver I was sent to long Island. All the bridges on the interstate are marked 1 foot Lower than they are. Example 12'6 is actually 13'6. Most truck GPS will route you around. I had a great experience driving through Brooklyn side streets in a 75 foot long tractor trailer 🤢.
Speed limits on highways in NYC is 50 mph, not 55 mph.
I do 60mph on a 50mph pass cops they don't pull me over
the state speed limit is 55, some areas are 65 though.
@@cuttyf74 they usually don’t do anything until it’s 15 above
@@Vehicles-And-Stuffthat is state, not city. All highways in NYC are 50 mph - even the LIE. As soon as you hit the Queens border there is a 50 mph sign.
I was thinking on that one, some the limit is 40mph.
pro tip for people from out of town: unless you absolutely need to, don’t drive in NYC. take literally any other mode of transportation.
Duly noted
-Brevard County, FL resident
That was always the plan.
~Upstate NYer with 0 desire to visit the city and barely likes driving on country roads let alone in cities.
I had to drive in Boston (technically Cambridge but the distinction is like pretending Yonkers isn't basically NYC) for work before and of course my timing aligned perfectly with leaving in rush hour traffic, i have never been more amazed at the power of "traffic snakes" to halt traffic fully outside the city leaving the city before.
Or just don't even go to NYC.
So if you are bringing a vehicle along on a trip through many parts of the US where in NYC can it be stored and be safe?
@@P7777-u7r parking garage
I think an essential driving skill you learn from driving in NY is to not have road rage from inconsiderate drivers. There are way too many inconsiderate and dangerous drivers to be angry, and you just have to accept it and drive defensively
Yeah, its so funny how flustered people from out of state get over the smallest things. NYC actually makes for sharper better drivers. And they won't flip out over some trivial person cutting them off.
Good point. A lot of that could be said for any major city, I think. I've been to 42 states and 4 provinces and "crazies" are everywhere. You just have to learn to keep with whatever the flow is and not to let anything get to you; Keep Calm - Carry On kinda applies out there.
I am from NJ and frequently in the city. What you believe to be inconsiderate drivers are really not to those of us who understand what is happening. Actually in a strange sort of way I find in many areas they are actually more courteous, for instance you will rarely see an issue at a merge point and there are many of them, a virtually all of us simply alternate merge (i.e. every other car) my most memorable of that is a situation where a 5 lane highway had to merge into a single lane because of an accident, because we all merged we never stopped moving, slow yes but never stoppen.
also the freeway speed limit is 50 mph not 55.
Another local Civil highway engineer.
@@dmac6004 my idea of inconsiderate drivers are the BMW/Civic drivers who swerve in and out of lanes in between cars at the tightest spots, typically going 35+mph more than the current flow of traffic. It's frankly ridiculous that people drive like this, risking countless lives and innocent families. But you could either be pissed all day every day you drive down a NY highway/parkway, or you can accept it, be aware of your surroundings, drive defensively, and get out of their way
Very valid point and a friendly reminder. Being on the road is a mix of different drivers and levels of driving. I've been patiently told by a friend that road rage isn't worth it and it's true. Just avoid those drivers
One you missed is short yellows. In fact, you blow through a red light at 6:20. Traffic lights in NYC are set up to go from green to red with the yellow lasting only about 1 second. When I lived in Queens, but worked in Long Island, I had to keep aware of the difference between the 5-10 second yellow lights out there and the short yellows in NYC. Useful tip: Use the ubiquitous, lighted Walk/Don't Walk signs as a heads-up for when the traffic light will change. They'll flash red for about 10 seconds or so before a light change.
Learn about The Better Car Rule: Whoever has the better car is the one who has to be careful. This does not apply to taxis/car services, who don't give a crap either way.
As a lifelong New Yorker, the best advice I can give is this: In any given situation, try to imagine the most stupid, most obnoxious, most oblivious, most selfish, most idiotic thing someone can do and mentally prepare yourself for it. A lot of times you will not be disappointed.
Yup. Plus these red lights s have cameras
Florida is getting like NYC.
@@Modeltnick the fk they not
I've only been ticketed for speeding on woodhaven, never for going through a red light. New york city is designed for driving through red lights (just as they are turning red). You'll often see multiple cars go through an intersection after it turns red. As long as they are not interrupting the flow of the adjacent intersection, its fair game, and you'll see traffic cops don't give a damn if you go through the light just as it turns red. Imagine coming from florida where a camera ticket is like minimum $171 or $250, and here its just a measly $50
@@RyanLeague It's not that simple. The reason the fine is so low is because with the cameras, they don't know who's driving the car. So the owner of the car gets the $50 fine, not the driver, so no points. I know because I was caught by a speed camera I didn't know about on Queens Boulevard, right where you come out of the tunnel under the LIE (I was wondering why everyone was driving so slow. Now I know).
However, if someone gets pulled over by the cops for running a red light in NYC, the fine to the driver could be somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. If you get a second one within 18 months, then on top of the fine, you have to pay a "driver responsibility assessment" of at least $300 over the course of 3 years. Instead of "Excelsior" the state motto should be "Hand over your wallet".
Props for driving in NYC and getting footage of the entire city!
Your rules are for the most part, spot on. The no left turn rule usually applies in the daytime; there's too many people walking on the street. Most highways are 50mph, or in the case of FDR Drive, 40mph.
Double parking is illegal (except for street cleaning), but rarely enforced.
One big rule for driving in NYC: *You can't drive scared.* You'll cause a lot more problems if you're driving like you're afraid of an accident.
I was born and raised in NYC, and I learned to drive in Manhattan of all places. Talk about trial by fire.
#facts #respect ✊🏽🚙👍🏽
Double Parking is illegal even with Street Cleaning it is up to the traffic agent or sanitation department whether they enforce it or not.
@@JakeSDN Many times people will get ticketed for double parking, but it's neccesary for people to make deliveries and pickups. I do work for a trucking company which services the NYC area, and it's amazing how many times there's just no place to park a box truck. The only way to do the job would be to double park and many time we've gotten ticketed.
The no-right-on-red protects pedestrians, and gives them a fighting chance of getting across the street. The left-turn restrictions greatly help traffic flow, and also protect pedestrians.
There’s a whole art and science to driving, walking, or biking in Manhattan.
Correction: Double Parking is ALWAYS illegal, even during street cleaning. The traffic agents just let it fly since they know theres no parking elsewhere and you've moved from the spot that needs to be cleaned.. BUT you can still risk a ticket for it, plus this only happens in certain areas.
Rule #11 don't bother driving. Take a train into town and then do a lot of walking.
This is the only right answer. Why would anyone drive in New York?
Plus 5 points here. The only time it makes sense to drive into NYC is if you have a car full of people and you are just going to park in one place for the whole time. A round trip on the subway/Path is $5.50 - the toll inbound alone is $16. Driving will save you no time, and finding (legal) spots to park your car will take longer still and will force you to walk at least a few blocks anyway. If you really have money to burn and you’re trying to get crosstown you can uber once you’re in the city.
If you live in Eastern Queens you essentially have to drive. When I lived in Bayside I would use LIRR if I needed to get into the city. I’d take the bus if I was going somewhere not too far. Other than that, I essentially had to drive. My commute to work was 15 minutes by car. With public transit it would take over an hour riding on either two busses or on LIRR and then the bus. Mind you I only lived 10 miles away from my job.
@@DarrienGlasser I try to take the train into the city whenever I go, but unfortunately living on Long Island, to go literally anywhere else I have to go through the city. Even avoiding Manhattan by taking the Throgs Neck or Verazanno bridges are still a nightmare.
Indeed. For NYC, there is the phrase "Do you think we have enough time to take a cab?"
Bravo! You nailed it. You can understand that as a trucker, I declined trips into or out of Manhattan. Here's how to circumnavigate the parking problem as a visitor. Stay at the La Quinta in Secaucus, NJ. It's a nice hotel with free parking. Across the street is a bus stop that will take you to Penn Station in 15 minutes.
I have visited Manhattan four times as tourist but have only slept there once. Motels in New Jersey are a fraction of the price and, as you wrote, the bus or train ride into Manhattan is less than twenty minutes.
Quality inn in Union City NJ is another one. The park and ride is also right there. Buses every 7 minutes straight into Penn station.
After a few trips to NYC, I developed the rule of: avoid NYC at all costs…
@@shturmovik3033 what did you do there? Just curious. I never found any reason to visit NYC.
@@fmartin59It's the center of the known universe!
As a NYC native who started out driving in Manhattan and The Bronx, I really feel like I'm at an advantage when it comes to defensive driving and being aware of my surroundings than people in every other state. Also on basically every parkway with winding roads in Westchester and LI everybody is speeding 20+ over the limit. I routinely find myself going 75 on the Saw Mill Parkway and there's still people weaving around me. Driving here I think makes everyone a better driver not necessarily smarter but better.
The farther from the city and later it gets the faster it gets in my experience.
@@JakeSDN the Sprain is probably one of the fastest Westchester highways at night it never has cops so people go 90+. The Bronx river Parkway is also fun to speed down at night, especially if you go down it enough to know every turn
75 on the Saw Mill.... I'd wet my pants! Out here in North Dakota the posted is 75 (65 in construction zones)
on every long island parkway the unwritten speed limit is 80
@@factsfacts17 Ocean Parkway in Suffolk is nuts. People actually speed up when it gets all bouncy (east of the roundabout). 90+ is the norm.
I grew up in the Midwest and have lived in the Orlando metro for 25 years now, which at times can have truly awful traffic. I’ve also driven right through downtown areas of huge cities like Chicago and L.A. myself. But NYC is one place I’ve really had NO desire to drive through. I’m sure I’d survive, and I’m very used to driving in many many big cities. But while I’m a very experienced and defensive driver, I’m also a big stickler for the rules. Every day I get frustrated by people not using turn signals, speeding, not leaving safe distances, not maintaining their cars, tailgating, passing in no passing zones, not knowing how to use roundabouts, etc. So although I’ve been to NYC a handful of times, driving there would absolutely make my head explode. I’ve gotten stressed out and it’s felt like a roller coaster just taking cabs there. Wow. Thankfully NYC has some pretty good public transit.
It's true about the drivers in NYC don't follow rules. The lane lines are really suggestion and any open spot of pavement is fair game. However I will say one redeeming thing is NYC drivers are "predictably" aggresive, which paradoxically may be safer cuz you know how other drivers are going to act ...
Orlando -
I’m in Jacksonville.
Seems to me they drive about the same, [ just as aggressive], but with no regard as to speed. Florida drivers seem to have no concept of “speed-limit “.
Interstate 4 has been, for many years, THE most dangerous stretch of highway in the US, but seems they’ve done a fantastic job on it - at least through the Orlando area.
🚗🙂
@@jeffking4176 I agree with that about I-4. The stretch through Orlando (thankfully about 98% complete except for the extreme north side by Sanford) is absolutely worlds better and pretty nice now. But that stretch from just south of Disney all the way to Tampa? Holy crap is it horrendous. No matter the time of year or day. Not just traffic, but the road itself, constantly being worked on, lanes shifting and mismarked, stretches like coarse grit sandpaper, etc. I’m up in Jacksonville just once a year, and have run into traffic there too on the freeways. But I get more confused by some of the non-freeway roads downtown. We may not have snow and freezing weather here, but the heat can do a number on our roads. And even more so, the explosive growth and number of people. I’ve heard that stat on I-4 though, and mile per mile, I believe it.
@@jeffking4176 It still needs work... traffic at all times every day heading south to Tampa.
@@jeffyang4936 That is mostly true. There is a method to our madness when it comes to driving.
The no turn on red law is actually pretty well followed in my experience. It's a pedestrian safety thing cuz they're in the crosswalk but driver is looking other way for oncoming traffic if they're trying to make a right on red.
Spot on. Only times I’ve seen anyone turn right on red are:
1) ones who run red lights all the time and don’t care.
2) Careless tourists with a rental car or has a plate that’s not NY, CT, PA or NJ
He did mention it needing better signage for outsiders like myself who are used to the norm being right on red.
The irritating thing with right on red is its not inherently unsafe because you are SUPPOSED to come to a complete stop as if its a stopsign before proceeding to enter the intersection. And normally it is only forbidden in locations where it is particularly unsafe like a complicated intersection or an intersection with terrible visibility.
But based on these clips, NYC definitely needs the blanket ban on right on red turning. (Just make it obvious for people used to obeying the traffic rules where right on red is normally fine.)
@@jasonreed7522 agreed. I mean NYC does put those signs telling the no turn on red rule and citywide speed limit at the city’s entry points and airport exits. But those signs really are not big and obvious enough for many visitors. The city definitely needs to do better with these signs. And when it comes to safety, What’s safe for drivers aren’t necessarily safe for other road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
The problem he mentioned was that there is often no indicator. Leave NYC and any intersection where right turning on red is illegal, there's a sign for that.
I live in a suburban area and I hate turning right on red at massive stroad intersections, because I have trouble telling what lane people are driving in...I usually only make the turn once all lanes are clear (if it happens before the light turns green) 😅
One note I would add after working there for ten years is that you should have your tires checked. Anytime you pull over into a parking spot you are vulnerable to picking up a nail, a spike or other sharp object as the areas near curbs tend to gather lots of debris.
… and keep your gas tank full by filling up before you arrive into the city. The outer boroughs are a little better but you definitely don’t want to be in Manhattan and have your tank on E and be subject to the far and few between gas stations on the island as well practically double the price of the national average.
@@Batmarc6 Without a doubt! A bunch of Manhattan gas stations closed in the last 10 years to make way for condos and luxury rental apartments.
To hell with debris, there’s severe wear on plentiful stretches of pavement to where a flat or blowout may happen out of nowhere. Even moreso if one has a car with low profile tires…
Scratching the surface, that city would rather better maintain their 25 mph streets than their 40-50 mph highways. The ramp between NB I-95 east of Henry Hudson/GWB to southbound Harlem River Drive (just about FDR) and the Battery Park Underpass northbound right as it turns into West Street we’re some extraordinarily ROUGH stretches even to Southern Michigan & worst case scenario Oklahoma standards… and typically said states are as rough as things possibly get.
Some places like Staten Island in winter you can get your tires punctured because someone thinks you took 'their spot' when it really is public parking.
@@geardo3635 Well, they cleared the spot, so it IS their spot. I use a LEOPARD to watch my spots.
My goodness, as a born and bred New Yorker, now residing in Florida, I'd say you handled that quite well! I cut my driving teeth in NYC, and one of my last jobs in NY was as a courier. My route was from Manhattan to Montauk on any given day, traveling the world's longest parking lot and other congested roads, suchas the Northern and Southern State Parkways, as well as Jericho Tpke and 25A, Sunrise Highway, or The Conduit as it is called west of Valley Stream. Yes, we call all the roadways by name, and I do think it is because of the reason you referenced. Here in FL, many of the roadways have dual indicators as well, although there are only four major interstates. Bravo to you for being able to navigate NY roadways, and come away with your sanity intact!
As a former New Yorker I can say you did an excellent job of explaining driving in NYC, what one can and cannot do. But like any New Yorker, you do what you gotta do (and can get away with) driving the mean streets of NY. Really good job with this video.
i live in nyc and drive all the time, and he’s spot on in this video, especially rule #5. i had some friends visit out of state and said that my driving habits would get me road raged where they lived. They were also shocked that it took 40 minutes to go 2 miles 😂 To drive in NYC you need to be an aggressive AND a DEFENSIVE driver. like my foot is honestly hovering my brake most of the time and i also developed supernatural instincts on when a car is about to do some stupid shit
YUP. Driving in the city is ALL defensive driving ALL the time. The starting and stopping constantly i'm sure would drive folks from rural areas a little insane. Before I drove here I did bike messenger work in the city so the defensive driving came natural because my mind was already conditioned for it
Most driving rules in other parts of the US don't apply to NYC. Hell, most of the other drivers will go crazy because there's no right turn on red (unless a sign says it's ok). I've seen thousands of dashcam videos and the comments are crazy; they hate left lane drivers with a passion. They won't survive in NYC because every square inch counts.
We're pretty aggressive, but there's a method to the madness. Also, it's not personal, we've got places to be. 🙂Respect. ✊
To drive in the city you need to know how to avoid those two miles forty minute situations. You need to know when to go, and how to go. And if you can't avoid those ugly situations - take the subway, walk or don't go. NYC is a walkers city.
I basically always assume someone is gonna do some dick head shit and hover over my breaks as well lol
As a native New Yorker, #5 is spot on. You HAVE to be aggressive in NYC. Every square inch on the road is free real estate.
if you give someone a free pass, then you just gave everyone behind them a free pass lol
That's a fact! The "he who hesitates is lost" rule is most applicable when driving in NYC.
A friend of mine in NYC owns a large condo unit that came with two parking spots. He has since bought two more parking spots in the building. He has 1 car and rents the other 3 spots out at what I consider outrageous monthly fees. I live in LA and even by LA standards his prices are high. He said he has no problems finding customers.
I have to say as someone that grew up in NYC, you are spot on! I moved to New Jersey 2 years ago because of the traffic congestion and lack of parking.
And yes the BQE is literal hell you can lose your mind driving.
I learned to drive in Boston but I've lived in NC too long now to ever even think about driving in NYC. Props to you!
It was such a relief to get back to NC after that. 😂
I have a Dutch driving license for 40 years, as I live in the Netherlands. But in September 2011 i drove in NYC, also Manhattan. Without any problems. And I enjoyed it. If you think NYC is bad, look at the traffic in the Peruvian capital Lima. I drove there as well and that was really funny. And a great experience!
This is why you don’t drive in to NYC. Get the train instead we have a lot of them (this biggest subway system in the USA) and they go most places in the city for only $2.75 and it works Most of the time and is Easy to navigate ther is also the Long Island Rail Road and metro north for Long Island and west Chester and upstate. And Amtrak and NJ transit
Yup. Especially for CT/Hudson River Valley most of the Metro North stations has 'park n ride' spots with train service to/from Manhattan usually from about 5am-1am 7 days a week.
The same applies to the area of New Jersey directly across the river from the city. The only difference is that we'd call parkways that pre-date the Interstate system as "Routes" so it's Route 4 and Route 17.
Lived in or near Philly most of my life but moved to North jersey 10-12 years ago and have to drive through NYC often for my job. He is not exaggerating. This is 100% accurate!
Yep to all observations! I have some fine funny memories of learning the not-so-gentle art of aggressively defensive NYC driving. The only change I would suggest would be to escalate your brief mention of watching out for pedestrians to a whole rule on its own - NYC folks are some of the boldest jaywalkers I've ever experienced, outdone only by Bostonians. Which prompts me to recommend you do a similar video on driving around Boston. I went to college there and I swear all the stories about crazy Boston drivers are true - and don't even get me started about Boston's insanely laid out streets and highways!
In fairness to NYC residents, the cars are staying still most of the time anyways
Bravo, for an out-of-towner, you nailed it. It's dog eat dog here. I was driving a delivery truck, sometimes an 18 wheeler, from age 15- without a license. I learned to just hit them- they get the message. Driving in NYC was good prep for driving in Marrakesh, Naples, India, and other lawless places, tho things are much calmer now than when I was young when, truly, back then: anything goes. We used to drive on the sidewalk, against a one-way street, and back up the entire block. You had to work to get a ticket in NY. The 25mph speed limit is a money making hoax. The speed limit was 30mph for decades until they checked the city budget. There are speed cameras everywhere in Manhattan, plus cameras for red lights. Luckily, these tickets are not the normal kind, have no points, and only cost $50 after they send you your ticket by mail. Camera tickets are illegal in NJ, so have at it, and the speed limit is only a suggestion. It can still take 30 minutes to go one block in Manhattan, so never follow Google. At $14.75 just to enter the island, at my age I avoid the place.
revenue generation made easy by wrapping it in the 'vision zero' b.s. sweeping across North America.
Good job Mike. You’ve learned a great deal in a short period. Driving in midtown requires continuous awareness, and a high level of aggression, just to keep up.
Thanks 👍
Instead of topping up your EZ-Pass beforehand, you can also configure it to automatically to top up when it gets below a specific amount. Mine was actually configured that way from the start, and the threshold amount is automatically re-calculated every month based on your usage. Also, since I live in New Jersey, when I drive into the City, I take the Lincoln Tunnel, park at Port Authority Bus Terminal, and use the Subway and busses to get around.
I think that NYC really suffers by allowing massive trucks in the densest parts of the city. I’ve seen so many trucks get stuck or crash that I feel like it would really help reduce the cost of road maintenance and accidents by simply having distribution centers outside the city in NJ or in Westchester county and having the final miles driven by smaller vans or lorries.
The goods have to be delivered.
The problem with smaller vehicles is that they don’t hold enough freight to fill most stores orders….they would be constantly running out of stuff.
The problem with taking the trucks off the highways is how do you get the freight into the city? While New Jersey has a well developed freight rail network, if you want to send your goods into New York City or Long Island by rail you have two choices: either send the rail car on a multi-day journey up to Selkirk, NY, near Albany, or use the NYNJ car float operation that makes one or two tips per day by barge between Greenville Yard in New Jersey and Bay Ridge Yard in Brooklyn taking 12 to 15 rail cars at a time. The freight traffic heading to Long Island takes back seat to LIRR commuter operation. That's why trucks are, despite the traffic congestion, the fastest way to move freight.
Except then you have to have twice as many vans delivering the same amount of goods.
Trucks are a part of commerce in the city. Without the ability to accept deliveries some commercial property becomes worthless.😊
You drove it all in NYC. You did the impossible and escaped NYC with little to no problems. Congrats! BTW Mike, the Citywide Speed Limit on the highways is 50. Not 55.
And if you think NYC is bad? Try checking out L.A.! L.A. has the worst traffic in the U.S. (especially on the freeways) at any given day, and L.A. is like half of NYC in terms of population.
Yeah I realized the error on the speed limit after recording the audio. Didn’t feel like going back to fix it 😂
@@MileageMike485 good thing it doesn’t matter since it’s impossible to do either speed at almost all times of the day 😂
I think LA has worse traffic but more courteous drivers… at least that was my experience. No one is going to make that right turn from the left hand lane and cut you off.
It was back in the 60s. I was in the Navy, and I took the train from San Diego to Los Angeles. I got off the train and asked the cab driver "Where's the City?" At least when you get off a train in New York, you KNOW where the city is.
Rule 12: do not use the belt parkway or the Van Wyck Expressway in Brooklyn/Queens after 11am on the weekends, either direction. It will be backed up for miles. I knew of this and still went to the Aquarium in Coney Island last year. Took me 40 minutes to get there and twice that to get back to my home in Westchester County. The only good thing about that is that my EV got so much energy back from the stop and go traffic that I only used 17 miles of energy for the 31 mile trip.
This is very accurate. As an NJ resident, I've driven into NYC a few times in my life for specific purposes, but because it's such a hassle I almost always take the train into NYC and use the subways or walk to get around. It's just easier. Another option you can explore, especially if you're from out of the area and looking to 'see the sights', is driving to Staten Island and taking the Ferry to Manhattan. It's FREE, it's convenient, and of all of the boroughs, Staten Island probably has the easiest parking. Plus, many visitors don't even realize Staten Island IS New York City, so you get to see a bit of the 'forgotten borough' that has a surprising number of parks and nature preserves.
Never drove across Staten Island but is the city wide speed limit enforced there strictly
Rule 7A: When traveling on the Avenues (as well as Broadway), stay towards the center lane until you're about 2 blocks from where you need to turn. This helps you avoid all the vehicles stopped on either side of the road.
Rule 11: Taxis, Limos, Bicycle messengers and delivery riders on scooters DO NOT CARE! The light is red? Don't care, I have to make my delivery. Need to discharge passengers on a busy street? Don't care, I'll stop wherever I feel like it.
One more thing about expressways versus parkways: if you're driving a truck, you WILL have to get off the parkway at some point regardless of whether the cops catch you or not. The bridges on most parkways are too low for a truck to pass under. 🙂
L 9
Nailed it. Local here. Totally right about following distance and aggressive driving. Great primer.
Two things:
If you have to drive in the city, the quickest way is the way that involves the least number of turns. If you need to drive from A Ave and B St to X Ave and Y st, drive all the way across B St to X Ave, turn and drive to Y St.
When I first got to NYC, I had to move a ton of boxes in my car from my sister's in NJ to my apartment in Queens, which meant going through the Holland Tunnel and driving across Manhattan to the Williamsburg Bridge. Almost every road out of the tunnel forced me to Canal St., which took forever to cross. It was much faster to cross Manhattan on Houston St., although it took great effort to find a way to get to it -- the effort was worth it.
Absolutely nailed it. If I may humbly add "Don't Block The Box" especially downtown.
Great video! This gave me flashbacks when I had a car in NYC. Terrible idea. I would also add the street cleaning schedule. As per nyc law you are not allowed to have a vehicle parked on the streets for more than 7 days so the city conducts street cleaning on one side of the street at least once a week to clean the streets as well as to have people move their cars out of the way. Where I live (Washington heights) this is enforced but what most drivers do is that they would double park on the other side of the street and as soon as the cleaning time passes they would park the vehicles again on the cleaned side.
Agreed. Yes, as far as critiques of the video, I would definitely take some time to have visitors focus on the street signs up and down the entire block, or certainly the area where they’ve parked, to be absolutely certain that although the parking spot is vacant, that it’s also legal to park there at all (which often times is the reason the spot is vacant in the first place)
Not every neighborhood has street cleaning.
@@Batmarc6 And we need some information on how the new parking meters work. You need to have a credit card to use the meter, and one meter is for a dozen or so parking spaces. And you must buy your parking ticket from the correct meter, so check the signs carefully so you know which meter is yours.
@@eliasthienpont6330The ParkNYC app is also a great alternative if you don't want to go to a machine. The app auto pings your location (if your location services is on) and brings up the meter zone that closest to where you're located. And as you said, you still gotta check the signs because it's easy to put the zone across the street instead of the one you're parked at.
Some zip codes don't have street sweepers like Old Mill Basin.
Trucks don't drive on parkways because they are usually 12.5 (13') feet high and overpasses are generally only 11 (11.5') feet clearance. Most being built back in the days of the WPA (c. 1933). 30 years ago I was traveling to New Jersey, through the Bronx, When I entered the Bronx it looked like post war Berlin, Germany with all the 'damaged/destroyed' buildings. Coming back I spent a Hour on the Washington Bridge with Traffic delays. Man, that bridge sways!
Honestly i'm an european taxi driver I live in paris and I must say that all the things ive seen in your video applies to literally all big cities in europe with a downtown area, its just funny to see the perspective of an american of what we call all the things you listed as "normal" here in europe. At least I know I'll be comfortable and relaxed should I ever drive in nyc :P
Coming from California and being used to Los Angeles traffic, I found NYC traffic to be a lot easier.
For a non-New Yorker and first time driver, your analysis was excellent! Someone else commented about the short yellow lights, so that might be number 11 on your list. Always remember when driving in NYC, the best defense is a good offense!
As a born and breed NYer. TRUCKERS. Stay OFF Parkways. It’s more than a Ticket. You’ll get your Trailer destroyed like a sardine can. All the parkways have low bridges. Every week I see a truck ripped open by a bridge on the Northbound Henry Hudson PKWY. Or the Cross island parkway.
He forgot the navigator - having a person watching Google maps for congestion can save lots of time. Also do not forget 880 and 1010 on the AM radio - their traffic reports are usually every 10 minutes. That and having an alternate route planned can be another time saver.
I want to add, you're right that there are no signs for outsiders on turning red. The only I've seen, is on Dyer Ave and 34 St exit of the Lincoln Tunnel. Also, people only abide to the 25mph because of the speed cameras. Really great video! You really explained NYC driving perfectly! Especially the frequent stopping.
I def agree that if u can’t be assertive/aggressive on the pedal, they’ll eat you alive. (Their horn-game is no joke). They use them to communicate (quite well actually). Once u get into it, you’re good, but the growing pains hurt (feels like road-bullying at first). Then u realize they’re just trying to communicate w/u the best/quickest way they know how. Before u know it, you’re cussing and honking and stealing any space you can to expedite your trip, so as to have to cuss less (hopefully). Tbh I’m from San Diego and got to practice driving in Tijuana BC (so I’m kinda cheating). Sh-t is fun tho
yes, as a nyc native with a car, we really do have our own language lol
As an expat New Yorker, excellent video. a must for anyone. If visiting NYC find a hotel with free parking (they do exist) and take public transit.
ive found parking usually depends on time of day. midday when people have commuted out ive never had too much issue finding parking almost anywhere. at night ive found business/mixed use areas to often have plenty of (free at night) curbside parking if you're choosing to drive to avoid poor late night mta service.
my personal ranking on driving in nyc (excluding staten island :p)
queens > manhattan > bronx > brooklyn
queens once youre further than closer to manhattan becomes pretty comfortable to drive in being more LI-esque than any other part of town
manhattan, if youre not trapped in congestion, is actually laid out very logically from a car perspective. the FDR & HRD are gorgeous drives, and if you catch the green light wave going north or south you can blast through most of the island pretty quickly. it's pretty nuts. this doesnt include harlem (intentionally extra congested bc of robert moses' racism) and parts of downtown that are older.
the bronx has probably the worst road quality of all the boroughs, say goodbye to your suspension. the streets arent too confusingly laid out, but bruckner expressway deserves an award for being one of the worst designed roads ever created, both for cars and pedestrians. an absolute nightmare where if youre not in specifically one of four lanes all of a sudden youre blocked off from where you need to go by a divider & easily missable signs. even with a gps its extremely easy to get stuck on the wrong road for the next mile or so if youre not familiar with how the lanes change. also the cross bronx expressway of course. robert moses ensured the bronx would be his personal torture chamber for commuters and truckers alike.
brooklyn is easily the worst. terrible road quality & nonsensical layout for cars. it feels chaotic & random, you can almost never be sure how the road after the next intersection will drive. this isnt even including how absurdly bad the double parking problem is here, navigating some neighborhoods becomes a real test of skill and frustration.
I'm 59 I live in North Jersey and drive alot in the city. This and the Jersey vid you did is spot on ! People should lusten to EVERYTHING you say. Great job.
As a native NYer it’s always interesting to hear an outside perspective. I like most NYers learned to drive late, the train (we don’t call it the subway) is how most get around. The right no turn is a given for us so we never thought it could be made to begin with so maybe that’s why no signs. Oddly enough when I stated driving to other states I kept getting. Honked at red light right turns because it’s not expected to be able to turn. We also don’t use miles to describe distance we usually give directions in terms of time, like 10 mins to the bridge.
As a NYer of over 30 years, thank you for doing God's work by filming your drives through the streets of NYC. Also, did you get to experience Snake Way aka the Jackie Robinson?
For someone like me who loves to drive, I love the Jackie Robinson Parkway and even more the Bronx River Parkway.
@@JakeSDNI’d love more freeway around Paris, but they just build star-shaped into the city center and straight line into the countryside. Only one freeway for cruising it’s the inside ring which is very cool when not overcrowded. (So at night basically)
There’s A86 which is the correctest urban freeway I guess but it’s partly tolled and obviously also overcrowded
Mileage Mike.. I am a native, " New Yorker " & you taught me things about my, " City " that I didn't know... Thanks for the info!
👌
I've always wondered why NY can't get a bridge between Connecticut and Long Island (Oyster Bay Bridge). That would alleviate so much truck traffic.
Forget the NIMBYs, someone can definitely make it happen.
Those NIMBY’s on Long Island wield a lot of political power so all the politicians are afraid to build it.
Long Island always wants to conserve history 😂. Like nobody gives a fuck about oyster bay if you don't like your house value than just move out of state
@@MileageMike485 Amen. No one is making that happen.
Ecological destruction is the excuse… Which is probably very factual.
@Mileage Mike Remove the NIMBYS, remove the problem, I think this is what many cities did when the interstate system was built
I drive everyday in the city as a chauffeur and i think you did an excellent job laying out tips. Always look at the crosswalk sign blinking as it will indicate when its going to turn red. Don't follow too close to taxis as they will stop without signaling and cut across traffic. Uber drivers are oblivious to what they are doing as well.
I drove a taxi in Manhattan as a part time job during undergrad at Fordham U. You had to be 19 to get a hack license. Back then, most of the yellow taxis were part of large fleets. I drove for Ike-Stan out of Long Island City. It was pretty miserable. Most cabs were not air conditioned back then. I still recall sitting in grid-locked traffic on Park Avenue, in July, without a fare.
It really didn’t phase me, though. My father drove a tractor-trailer in Manhattan delivering heavy oil to hospitals and other large buildings. Driving a little Dodge cab was a piece of cake compared to what he did.
Good old FU
I’ve been to NYC for the first time, drove a bit through the big city and you are NOT wrong about Manhattan’s incredible gridlike roadway system. I like your informative Road videos! Subbed!
The Van Wyck Expy is I-678, not I-695.
All these rules are very good. I’d say the most stressful part of it is the continual random stopping vehicles, just wherever they want; and then that people basically just do whatever they want. People will find any little space available and insert their car/truck/bike into that space.
As a long time New Yorker, there is really only ONE rule to driving here: don’t do it! 😂
ride a bike
Train
Many parking zones are governed by multiple rules. The stack of signs confuses people, but it should not. The top sign is the most restrictive rule, the one below is the next most restrictive and so on. Its a simple reading test and if each sign as you read down allows you to park, then you can park. The signs are mounted diagonally to the curb so the arrows make sense too. People get tripped up by NOT reading the full sign details, such as AM or PM or assuming that all meters are in effect during all business hours but not beyond them. There are many exceptions to what seem like norms, and this is how I have gotten most tickets I ever received.
All I can add to the already helpful comments from my fellow New Yorkers is this: this is one of the best cities to drive in because everyone else is expecting you to do the dumbest thing possible. So it’s actually quite rare to see a fender bender or serious accident that wasn’t caused by speeding, red light running or someone with Jersey plates. 😊
I'd say it's more the BMW drivers that you have to be careful around
I started driving in Manhattan in 1986 when I was 17. Great video.
In the 70s the signs would say “NO RIGHT ON RED” so people would turn left on red if the intersection was two one-ways with one street going left. Then when too many violations were being dismissed they taped “TURN” over “RIGHT” and the situation was corrected…
The parking issue is pretty bad, but it’s not as bad as you describe. I occasionally drive into downtown from Long Island at night (after 11pm) and can find plenty of parking on Broadway and Church Street by the WTC.
I used to drive down to Manhattan from Upstate and Connecticut every weekends in my early 20s, and now I am living in cities in Asia that are even more crowded than NYC. What I wanna say is, despite the chaos you described, NYC drivers are much more sensible and have many hidden rules that made driving a much more smoother experience.
Such as, as long as you turned on a blinker and have a room to change lane, the other drivers will almost take their foot off their gas pedal and let you through.
Also, when someone in the right lane is swirling to the left cuz someone double park there... Drivers in the middle lane will also swirl into the left lane together with you
Some of that is just defensive driving, if someone swerves into you the most logical action is to also try and evade.
And fun fact, its litterally NY law that if someone signals intent to enter your lane you must yield to them if you are the car in the position to do so, and the same law also requires yielding to someone taking maneuvers to avoid an obstacle in their lane. (Its truly amazing what such a simple law can do to improve your experience on the highway, even if its barely enforced its atleast taught to new drivers so a higher percentage of people actually yield when appropriate.)
@@jasonreed7522 My experience in Florida is that if you signal to change lanes then the driver in the lane you want to merge into is speeding up so you can't get in front of him. RUDE RUDE RUDE Florida drivers
@@jasonreed7522 Similar rule in Hong Kong (not sure it is written or informal - but everyone does it). The ramps in Hong Kong are usually no more than 1-3 car lengths and are very closely spaced so there would be complete logjam if HKers applied the "try to prevent them from getting in" rules applicable in most of the rest of the USA. After 20 years of driving there it never ceases to amaze me what a massive improvement this simple courtesy makes - even with the complex 3-dimensional road system of HK.
@@elaineraad3609 yeah because they're macho people that are insecure driving big lifted pickup trucks. How dare you try to get in front of them
As someone who lived in NYC for 14 years, this is a great video!
Spot on!!! The Hudson River Bridge toll is a 1.75 now on bridges north of the Tappan Zee, going east bound, until Albany.
Thanks for taking the time to explore this topic. A broader point not emphasized is that much of the hassle is, and should be, by design. You were in those moments exactly the kind of driver the city rightfully wants to discourage: a single passenger in what is likely a pickup or SUV. The city is rich in mss transit, pedestrian and increasing micro-mobility options. Barring right turns on red saves lives at a rather steady rate and speeds over 20 miles per hour result in fatal impacts with significantly greater frequency for each additional 10 m/h. Exhaust and tire erosion are huge factors in childhood asthma and developmental delays. Overall, the City needs to eliminate nuisance driving so that the remaining vehicles are only those truly needed for disability access, commerce, infrastructure and emergency services.
Great take. Big cities like new york were never designed to have cars.
I can relate to slow driving, narrow roads, and people who recklessly disobey road rules. I recently went to New Orleans for the first time in 14 years, the last time I went was probably when I was around 5. But instead of going to New Orleans during a normal part of the year, I went during Mardi Gras. I like to obey most road laws and drive safely. However, in New Orleans I quickly found that isn't the respected status quo. I got off of I-10 and into downtown near a hospital. Immediately upon exiting the exit ramp, I noticed an ambulance leaving a bay of a hospital and then turning on its lights. I looked for a place to pull over as they turned on their sirens. I signaled my intent to pull over and then put on my hazards. A random guy in a random van immediately stopped as the ambulance was approaching and began honking. The dude started honking at me. I rolled down my window and yelled "Bro, move out of the way, there's a fucking ambulance with its lights and sirens on!".
I then proceeded to drive toward Audubon Park. The streets were narrow and cars were street parked on both sides. On occasion, I would have to pull over to let oncoming cars pass.
How ever on at least 2 occasions while giving room for one car to pass, some idiot would fail to understand the rules of right of way and would try and cut through both of us. Each time I nearly clipped into them after signaling my attempt to remerge back onto the street.
Great video, my introduction to NYC traffic was driving a 24' Box truck in to a Saturday farmers market on the upper East Side when I was 18...and then getting out, after a while I got the hang of it, but those first few trips where a trial by fire. In the through Lincoln tunnel, across town through times square, turn left on 1st in front of the UN. The timed one way street red lights are thing of beauty though, often drove from East 67th to the Willis Avenue Bridge on 1st on one green. :)
Loved "The timed one way street red lights are a Thing of beauty"
I think traffic in Manhattan really isn’t that bad unless you are trying to leave. Although transit in the NYC metro area is pretty decent, many suburbs are disconnected and therefore those drivers put so much strain on the river crossings. The manhattan bridge can move 20,000 people per hour by train, but only 2,000 people per hour by personal vehicle, so improving transit connectivity can definitely help reduce traffic in the area in general.
Actually many of the suburbs are connected to NYC idiot unless you live way out there.
Honestly tho traffic in the city itself really isnt that bad unless you go through certain areas. During peak rush hour same thing dont go to major roads or areas unless u have to. Getting out tho to nj…. Goes from 6 lanes to 2 lanes
@@zofferz0 Traffic is always bad you child rapist. Clearly your dad molested you because that's why you are nothing but a r-tard trying to encourage people to drive in NYC. Trash like you needs to be turned into a punching bag.
@5:17 in the video. The term for making a left turn on a street that you can't make a left on by making 3 right turns around the block is called the "three cushion shot". For those of you who don't know what "three cushion shot" is. The term comes from the game of billiards(pool). It refers to shooting the ball and having it bounce off 3 cushion before going into the pocket. A wall on a billiards(pool) table is called a cushion. You'll hear the term used by taxi drivers in NY all the time.
rule #1 is to turn on "avoid tolls" in Waze, Apple Maps and Google Maps. other than going to NJ you can almost always avoid tolls by spending a couple extra minutes to get somewhere. NYC residents are well aware of this...
Yeah but how much are you willing to divert for what you save. It can be a “couple of minutes”. Let’s put it this yesterday.. I was on 50th street yesterday and decided to take the 59th street bridge instead of going back down to the midtown tunnel. It took longer to get to the bridge than it would’ve to the tunnel.
It depends. No practical way to avoid tolls if you’re crossing the Hudson from the west and driving between Staten Island and Brooklyn. Also going between Bronx and Queens; and between Rockaway and Queens/Brooklyn; the extra drive isn’t worthwhile most of the time.
@@Jabid21 I said other than New Jersey and you can get to Manhattan's FDR and take the 59th street bridge toll free from the Bronx. I've done it a million times
@@Jabid21 and I never go to Staten Island and neither do any of my friends. Who needs to go there for anything?
@@Jabid21 and there is nothing at all practical about driving in NYC...
I used to have to drive all those same areas with a 76 foot long tractor trailer. I did it coming up from the South for many years. Talk about having fun.
Rule 0: Don't. Take public transit
BQE expressway is the second worst after Cross Bronx Expressway. I’m glad you got the recent footage of the BQE Expressway. Because after they changed the expressway from three lanes to two lanes, it got worse.
We have a plethora of public transportation here in NYC and they are trying to make it walk friendly. I have a car, but I only drive it when I'm going out of the city. Other than that it stays garaged.
Excellent report. I grew up in the city and drove all over. This is correct on every point.
As others have mentioned, it's important to be aware of the heavier non-motorized traffic in addition to pedestrians. But if you do find street parking, remember to check your driver's side mirror for approaching bicycles before opening your door. There are a lot of responsible bike commuters in addition to the seemingly lawless bike delivery riders who are all jockeying for the scraps of available roadway. Oftentimes with the tight margins remaining, swerving around a car door popping open is not an option. It seems like many drivers forget that if a (non ebike) bike stops it also looses its balance and all its momentum whereas in a car you're still just sitting there.
I drove the City of Chicago a while. I broke out in a cold sweat every time I approached the city in an auto, because I knew I'd be gripping the wheel and spinning my head in every direction. Only had one accident, a fender bender, but lots of near misses. The best way to go into that city by car is to park at the O'Hare garage and take the train into downtown. Chicago's a small town compared to New York, but still nerve-wracking to drive.
Your assessment is quite accurate. Well done.
Stopping in the middle of the road is called double parking in New York. There's no available on-street parking pretty much 24/7 in NYC so commercial trucks/vans, mail couriers, and Uber drivers usually double park while they load/unload. It's actually illegal but rarely enforced because people don't block the road for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, which isn't worth sending down a police officer and writing a ticket.
Here is my best tip for driving in New York City: Park at a train station in NJ, CT, or Westchester County, take the train into New York (MTA and NJ Transit both run frequently, including nights and weekends), then subway around New York
I just recently went to NYC (for the first time) for a tour of Manhattan, and the driver mentioned that the signs were merely suggestions...lol
As someone who has driven in NYC for decades, this was pretty spot on. The only thing I’d add is that some of the things that the author found most annoying - people squeezing anywhere they can and double parking - are essential for things flowing efficiently and effectively. Might not seem like it, but the ability to color outside the lines is what makes it work. New Yorkers know this, and there are a whole other set of unspoken rules, lines that can be crossed, lines that can not be crossed, signals to read, etc.. There’s a flow and a rhythm - like a dance. If you know it, you don’t think people are “rude”. Unless they are from Jersey. 😂
😂 true! It is a dance! I call it “vehicular ballet.” It’s like walking in the city. There is a New York foot pace and a tourist pace. Once Spring starts you know walking will become problematic.
I remember giving myself a mental pep talk as I approached NYC for the first time. I was on the GWB more than 200 ft before someone cut me off. It immediately lived up to the hype.
I've lived in NYC my entire life and have been driving regularly to Manhattan from Brooklyn for the past 13 years and everything you said was 100% correct. One thing I might add to your list that popping U turns or K turns on 2-way streets is perfectly acceptable and won't get you pulled over. It's a good way to avoid having to circle a few blocks if a left turn you want to take is restricted.
You cannot do any U-Turns, K Turns, or 3-point Turns across Any Double-Yellow lines.... and you Also Cannot do any of those turns in Any Business District! So NO, those turns are NOT Acceptable.
@Caleb Louard Yes, technically it's illegal but I've NEVER seen anyone get pulled over for it. I've done it hundreds, maybe thousands of times, in front of cops sometimes and nada. It's a widely accepted shortcut for getting around the streets of NY. But yeah, I wouldn't recommend doing it anywhere else. Insta-ticket lol
This video is exactly why, despite living about 11-12 miles north west of Manhattan in nj, whenever I go to the city (which is only occasionally) I always take the nj transit commuter train and then use subways/busses/walking to get to wherever I’m going within nyc. You’ll never catch me dead driving into nyc unless for some rare crazy reason I absolutely HAVE TO.
Tbh I think, anyone who lives in nj and commutes to nyc regularly for work and doesn’t take either a nj transit train or an nj transit bus into the city is insane.
Someone else from NJ pls back me up on this so I don’t feel crazy 😅
I was born and raised in the NYC Area of NJ, and outside of a few times when I actually had to drive THROUGH NYC to get to the other side, I only remember driving into the city three times. I would always use the subway and trains to go to NYC from NJ and get wherever I wanted in the city.
Been a New Yorker for almost half a century and I am impressed by your terrific traffic video. Any one who drives through all five boroughs of NYC must have nerves of steel. Cheers~
gotta be built for NYC not everybody is😂
That 25 MPH is no joke. I got a speeding ticket in the mail from one of the speed cameras a month after driving in NYC. I was traveling up 10th Ave to 59th Street and somehow the traffic cleared for a microsecond and after being frustrated for blocks I must have hit the gas. The worst part was that I did it in a School Zone, so the fine was doubled.
I left a friend's apartment in the Bronx one evening and was headed to the GWB and miracle of miracles the Cross Bronx was relatively clear. It was the smoothest ride I have ever had coming out of NYC.
I have a driving dare from anyone outside of NYC. Take the Henry Hudson Tollway North to Mosholu Parkway, then turn off Mosholu onto Gun Hill Road. Take Gun Hill Road to Bronxwood Ave and turn left. I call it the obstacle course because you have double-parked cars to the right and left turns (usually without a turn signal) in the left lane and then the middle lane is for Ubers and private taxis. You win if you don't honk your horn at all from the turn onto Gun Hill to the turn at Bronxwood. Good Luck.
As a new york area resident, this is excellent!
I am from Ireland did a road trip with my dad. We stayed in Westchester to be near family but we did drive over the GW bridge and around the Bronx. It is really surreal even out of Manhattan
It’s a beast of a city to drive. Best thing to do is find a solid neighborhood to park in, and bounce from there.
It's been a while since I was there ('05), but two things I remember are 1) do not Block the Box and 2) the car behind you will start tapping the horn before the red light has gone out and before the green light if fully illuminated.
Ironically was talking to my wife about not ever wanting to go to NYC for these exact reason the other day. Thanx for cementing it for me with your excellent video, hard pass.
I would say the number 1 rule of driving in NYC is to not do it at all… Take a train or bus (or walk if you can) instead. It will likely save you time, money, and stress. Obviously drive if you have to, but your best bet of getting to NYC is to park and ride into the city.
Nice video, I’d say this was pretty accurate. Though some of these rules apply less on the Eastern side of Queens as it’s more suburban & less congested than Manhattan & Brooklyn.
I like everyone honking at you as soon as the light turns green.
I've never driven in NYC and likely never will, but I still enjoyed this greatly. Well done.
I had done the drive to Brooklyn very recently. I was dead-set against doing the drive but the train tickets were immensely expensive for my family and the hotel did offer parking. Another part to know about hotel parking is there's no guarantee they'll even have parking spaces available for you. The hotel we stayed at only had 10 spots for 200 rooms. We were SOL for getting anything and had to park on the street.
Other tips: Be prepared to be honked at a lot. A LOT. Don't take it personally. Sometimes it's due to someone stopped in your lane because of the frequent stops. Sometimes it's because the guy behind you is a psychotic asshole who wants you to run over the people blocking your path in the crosswalk. Sometimes it's because you did make a mistake like partly blocking the intersection because you misjudged how much room you'll leave behind you for the cars. In any case, no matter what the reason, people are going to honk at you. Car honking is one of the 200 official languages in NYC. Get used to it.
And finally, just be very aware that everywhere, lanes are often a few inches narrower than everywhere else, including the highways. A few inches doesn't sound like a lot, but you'll really notice it when you're traveling any expressway in the middle of NYC, and you'll need to get used to the fear that someone is just a few millimeters from sideswiping your side mirror anytime they pass you, especially if you're driving a wide car.
The guy from LIC that cut you over is a TLC driver(Uber and Lyft) you can see from the fact that his licence plate schema(mashed without a space and if you look closer you will see the TLC mark under the number and that the plate starts with T) - TLC Drivers are basically driving like they are having a death wish
I used to drive into Greenwich Village where there would be free parking and then just take the subway everywhere.
But that was thirty years ago when tolls weren’t astronomical.
Now I always take the train in and walk and use mass transit for my entire stay.
ALL the bridges AND tunnels?? So you got MONEY money! 😂😂
😂
Over the East River from Manhattan, the Queensboro, the Williamsburg, the Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridges are free but the volume of traffic on each of them will show you exactly why they are lol! …and there are also a handful of free bridges between the Bronx and Manhattan over the Harlem River, but that’s about it… Yes, every bridge is a toll otherwise.
@@Batmarc6 All those bridges will be tolled in the future from congestion pricing.
Great video Mike. Some of the rules apply to NJ too lol
As a rookie truck driver I was sent to long Island. All the bridges on the interstate are marked 1 foot Lower than they are. Example 12'6 is actually 13'6. Most truck GPS will route you around. I had a great experience driving through Brooklyn side streets in a 75 foot long tractor trailer 🤢.