I know this isn't exactly a travel question but you fodor are so good at this stuff. Soo how long would it take to drive from Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan (11th ave between 47th and 48th) on a weekday morning say at 8am? Any suggestions of what route to go etc. Mass transit isn't a option here unfortunately.

You will be in rush hour traffic but mayb not the height of it. I've never driven that route at that time. The obvious route would be the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan but then you're on the east side I think (near the FDR Drive) and you want to go to the west side so... I guess I'd continue uptown on the FDR until maybe 34th st and then go cross town. At that hour, certain streets don't allow private crosstown traffic. 34 th st might be one of those. Avoid 49/50, 42, 57 sts.

When you get off the Brooklyn Bridge, do not exit where its says FDR drive, but follow signs ("Civic Center"?)and at the light, make a left turn and continue across Chambers street a few avenues to West street(former west side highway). I wouldn't want to be going all the way across 34th street from the FDR to 11th ave, even at that time of the morning (there are deliveries to the garment center and plenty of other traffic)
I'd allow an hour--unless it's a REALLY important appointment and you're extra cautious and want to add a little extra time

Since that's peak traffic time, I'd say about 40 minutes (it could be +-20 minutes), and definitely take the West Side Highway.

An alternative to the bridge is to take the tunnel. There is a toll. Once out of the tunnel make a right onto West Street and continue north on the West Side Highway. Make a right at 46th ST and go one block to 11th Avenue. Make left onto 11th. Figure at least 30 minutes for the trip with normal traffic conditions.

I would suggest the Battery Tunnel as the best way to get there, since you will already be on the West Side when you emerge from the tunnel. YOu will also pass by the World Financial area and the World Trade Center will be the fenced in area on your right as you head uptown.

I would say an hour would be about right in that traffic.