The Comptons

It started out last night at a family dinner as a stupid question about the length of New York City streets. But the answer(s) is/are needed. Streets in Midtown are how long? Avenues - how long? Then, how far is it on 42nd St. from Hudson River to East River? Thanks for putting up with us and with the stupid questions.

Laszlo

It would not be a stupid question if the following did not exist: on-line maps, all having mileage scales.

Regis

There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people that ask them.

Caitlin

Manhattan is actually no doubt the easiest place in the country to answer such questions about. Above 14th Street, going north-south (streets), 20 blocks=1 mile and going east-west (avenues), 10 blocks=1 mile. In midtown, Manhattan west>east (Hudson to East River)is ~2.5 miles. May I suggest acquiring a map before you arrive? It will make things easier to negotiate, especially if you plan to head south of 14th Street (i.e., the Village, Soho, financial district). Also, the avenues can be a bit confusing, because some named avenues (e.g., Park, Columbus) have names in place of their sequential numbers, while some (e.g., Lexington, Madison) are stuck in there between the numbered ones--so on the East side, we have, east to west, 1st, 2d, 3d, Lexington, Park (4th), Madison, 5th...except on the south end you have A,B, C, and D and above midtown you have York....Well, you get the picture.

stupid

There are no stupid questions only stupid people who respond with insults instead of answers. If you don't have an answer, why are you bothering to respond? I thought the question posed was reasonable. It is useful information in planning what can be done on foot in NYC. Maybe there are other places where an answer can be found but that is true with a great many questions. Lighten up.

Patrick

This is not a specific answer, but be aware that the blocks from East to West are about three times longer than the blocks from North to South. In other words if you are going 5 blocks north from 42nd Street to 47th Street, it seems like no distance at all. But if you are going West to East 5 blocks, it seems like forever!

Owen O'Neill

The fact is that there is no simple answer. The island of Manhattan varies in length and width and this variable is compoounded by the fact that not all streets go directly all the way through from the Hudson to the East River (although most in midtown do). Additionally, some avenues are interrupted by going north or start at different "latitudes" in the south, contingent on what streets are at their start (or terminus) in lower Manhattan where streets are not on a strict grid system. IMHO not a stupid question but needs to be better defined.

howard

To capsulize and (hopefullyO simplify the answer:
1. Caitlin is correct about 20 north/south blocks equalling one mile. It's a fairly accurate and consistent measure.
2. East/west blocks (i.e., the avenues), however, can vary in midtown anywhere from approximately 2 times the length of the north/south blocks to about three times the length. It really depends where you are! There's no consistency.
3. In midtown, Caitlin is again correct about the 2.5 mile distance from river to river, east/west.
4. With Fifth Avenue as the dividing line, Caitlin has already given you the order on the east side. The west side is more complex, as some streets (i.e., Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues) don't begin until you get past the midtown (i.e., Times Square) area and into the 60s. The order of West Side streets, going west, are 5th Ave., 6th Ave., 7th Ave., Broadway (note, however, that 7th & Broadway cross over at Times Square to add to the confusion), then it's 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Aves.
Enough!

evelyn

The question is not stupid, just some of the people that answered are. The question clearly asks about streets in MIDTOWN. Why don't you folks try reading the question that's been asked before you try to show off by telling everything you think you know?

Caitlin

Exzcuse me, Ms. "Wood," but I live in Manhattan and know from their many posts over time that Howard and Owen O'Neill know it very well. We DO know what we're talking about, we did read the question, we know that things might be a little more complex than The Comptons realize, and we know that our advice might be useful because we have noted from their other queries and posts what The Comptons plan to do while visiting NYC. Or has the geography of Manhattan changed since the last time I left the building, and I only THINK I know it?

howard

Right on, Caitlin!

xxxxx

first time on the ny forum for info and this is what I experience.. why is it necessary to be so rude and critical? If you don't like the question, move on..

AC

Hi:
Definitely not a stupid question and Caitlin's answers were right on the mark. I recalled telling the Compton's that I was concerned about their plan to walk from the Circle Line to the UN--a verrrrry loooooong walk. Their questions are legitimate.