NYC - JFK by car - what time would you recommend we leave
Dec 12th, 2005, 10:51 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NYC - JFK by car - what time would you recommend we leave
on Tuesday, December 20th, for a flight departing at 1:50 pm? We'd be dropping off our rental vehicle at Hertz at JFK. Our Triptik says it takes 31 minutes, but I don't know if that's accurate and want to be sure to allow enough time.
Also want to ask if these directions make sense and if there's anything further we may need to know:
1. Head SE on E 34th St toward 3rd Ave 0.2 mi
2. Turn L on I-495E drive 0.1 mi
3. Go STRAIGHT to get on i-495 E towards QUEEN MIDTOWN TUNNEL drive 7 miles
4. Exit 22A-E towards GRAND CENTRAL PKWY/VAN WYCK EXPWY/I-678 drive 0.2 mi
5. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT to get on GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY E towards GRAND CENTRAL PKWY EASTBOUND drive 1.7 mi
6. Take exit 13 towards J ROBINSON PKWY/VAN WYCK EXPWY/KENNEDY AIRPORT. drive 0.1 mi
7. Go STRAIGHT to get on I-678 S towards KENNEDY AIRPORT drive 6 miles
Thank you!
Also want to ask if these directions make sense and if there's anything further we may need to know:
1. Head SE on E 34th St toward 3rd Ave 0.2 mi
2. Turn L on I-495E drive 0.1 mi
3. Go STRAIGHT to get on i-495 E towards QUEEN MIDTOWN TUNNEL drive 7 miles
4. Exit 22A-E towards GRAND CENTRAL PKWY/VAN WYCK EXPWY/I-678 drive 0.2 mi
5. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT to get on GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY E towards GRAND CENTRAL PKWY EASTBOUND drive 1.7 mi
6. Take exit 13 towards J ROBINSON PKWY/VAN WYCK EXPWY/KENNEDY AIRPORT. drive 0.1 mi
7. Go STRAIGHT to get on I-678 S towards KENNEDY AIRPORT drive 6 miles
Thank you!
Dec 12th, 2005, 10:56 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Those directions are fine. It may take 31 minutes with minimal traffic, but I would allow for an hour because you just never know, especially midday, and if there's a transit strike there may be more cars on the road. COnsidering you have to drop off a car, I would leave NYC by 11:45.
Dec 12th, 2005, 11:53 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
MFNYC, just two hours?
Since the poster is driving in an unfamiliar town with unfamiliar traffic problems the potential for screwup is enormous.
Plus, they have to return a rental.
Three hours is the very least I'd allow. If you were familiar with NYC I'd say to but not with the above.
Since the poster is driving in an unfamiliar town with unfamiliar traffic problems the potential for screwup is enormous.
Plus, they have to return a rental.
Three hours is the very least I'd allow. If you were familiar with NYC I'd say to but not with the above.
Dec 12th, 2005, 11:54 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You probably need to leave earlier than 11:45, unless you already have your BP printed and no luggage to check. Who knows if there's a line at the Hertz car-return lane? Or extra-long line at security?
Dec 12th, 2005, 12:09 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggestion: Return the rental car in Manhattan and take a taxi or car service directly to your terminal at JFK.
You won't have to drive, and you won't have to worry about the time involved in dropping off the rental car, transfers to the terminal, etc.
You won't have to drive, and you won't have to worry about the time involved in dropping off the rental car, transfers to the terminal, etc.
Dec 12th, 2005, 01:03 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
We've made it to JFK in as little as 17-minutes, that said, 31-min during mid-day when you're on unfamiliar roads - not sufficient. And while the directions sound fine, signage in NYC is wanting. Even for those of us who live here, have to wonder!
Agree with the above poster, drop off the car at Hertz in Manhattan and arrange for a car service (Carmel or Tel Aviv [now Dial 7]) to meet you at the Hertz office. Sure it'll cost you about $50 + bridge or tunnel tolls and tip to driver, but you don't have to drive, nor look for Hertz return depot.
Agree with the above poster, drop off the car at Hertz in Manhattan and arrange for a car service (Carmel or Tel Aviv [now Dial 7]) to meet you at the Hertz office. Sure it'll cost you about $50 + bridge or tunnel tolls and tip to driver, but you don't have to drive, nor look for Hertz return depot.
Dec 12th, 2005, 01:04 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think Gekko's idea is a good one if it's not going to make the rental much more expensive. A car service will cost about $60 from midtown to JFK.
You need to check in 2 hrs. ahead of the flight at least. I'd leave the city at 10am at latest if you're driving yourself. 30 mins to JFK is a JOKE. It's a least an hour unless you're going at 6am.
If you do drive, while the instructions are accurate, they're a bit confusing to me, especially at the beginning. You want the Queens midtown tunnel. There are 2 entrances, 34 th Street between First and Second Avenues and 36 Street near Second Avenue. When you get out of the tunnel, you'll need $4.50 toll. Most cars will have an easy pass and you probably won't and will need the cash line.
From there, I think it sounds ok. You want the Grand Central pkwy east to the Van Wyck expwy. Watch signs for rental car drop off. You should probably check the Hertz website and see if they have any special directions to their location. You should also find out how you get to the terminal from their lot, by shuttle bus or AirTrain. Allow yourself plenty of time. If you're taking an international flight, allow even more time.
You need to check in 2 hrs. ahead of the flight at least. I'd leave the city at 10am at latest if you're driving yourself. 30 mins to JFK is a JOKE. It's a least an hour unless you're going at 6am.
If you do drive, while the instructions are accurate, they're a bit confusing to me, especially at the beginning. You want the Queens midtown tunnel. There are 2 entrances, 34 th Street between First and Second Avenues and 36 Street near Second Avenue. When you get out of the tunnel, you'll need $4.50 toll. Most cars will have an easy pass and you probably won't and will need the cash line.
From there, I think it sounds ok. You want the Grand Central pkwy east to the Van Wyck expwy. Watch signs for rental car drop off. You should probably check the Hertz website and see if they have any special directions to their location. You should also find out how you get to the terminal from their lot, by shuttle bus or AirTrain. Allow yourself plenty of time. If you're taking an international flight, allow even more time.
Dec 12th, 2005, 03:39 PM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My fastest time midtwon to JFK midday was 19 minutes - but that was mostly on the shoulder (and a good part at 80 MPH when we weren't in stop/go traffic) but I had to tip the cabbie $50.
That near Christmas you need to leave at least 60 minutes for the drive plus 30 minutes to get rid of the car. That's plus the time the airline wants you to check in. I would agree with about 10 am - esp if you run into an accident - or some rain/snow/sleet.
31 minutes midtown to JFK in the middle of the day just before Chirstmas - with a police escort IF you're lucky.
That near Christmas you need to leave at least 60 minutes for the drive plus 30 minutes to get rid of the car. That's plus the time the airline wants you to check in. I would agree with about 10 am - esp if you run into an accident - or some rain/snow/sleet.
31 minutes midtown to JFK in the middle of the day just before Chirstmas - with a police escort IF you're lucky.
