Will be driving the L.I.E eastbound on Labor Day to attend wedding in St.James @ 6pm and heading back westbound later that evening. It's been a long time since I've driven that route and need advice on how much traffic I'll hit and therefore how much drive time to allow. Any experienced New York drivers with any advice?? And don't suggest I pass on attending!! L

Eastbound on Labor Day shouldn't be too horrific, but westbound will be a parking lot later in the day. Steel yourself - it will be hell.

Buy a good map of Long Island, listen to 1010, and consider taking alternate routes other than the L.I.E. (e.g., Rt. 25).

I weep for you.

Well eastbound should not be too bad - since you will be too late in the day for the daily beach traffic.

But returning home will be hell - unless you do it after midnight - since many Hamptons folks will be returning from the last big weekend of the summer. (Expect bumper to bumper as soon as you get anywhere near NYC.)

Have you considered the LIRR/cab option? I'd guess there's an LIRR station not far from St. James. Perhaps someone could help out with a pick-up if you don't want to take a cab from the LIRR station to the wedding?

(And with the current price of gas, this option might even be less expensive -- certainly less aggravating and faster.)

Thanks for ur replies. Wedding invite has us taking LIE to Northern State to 347. Agree that our nightmare will be return trip to Bayside @ about 10-11pm that evening. Train/cab not an option as there will five of us, including two older ladies. Do u think taking 25 or 25a back would save any time? Methinks we're in for a long night! L

coming back will be disaster! see if you can stay over a night, or the train from penn station will be a great idea.
where will you be driving from? if n.j, ct, or upstate, you can simply take nj transit or metro north to penn station. think of the worst traffic scenario...times 4.

Ischu -

You have no idea how bad this will be - bumper to bumper at 75/80 miles an hour - with SUVs packed with stuff constantly darting in and out to make up a car length - only slowing down when you get near Nassau. 25 should be somewhat less crowded - but will still take forever - since anyone local will avoid the LIE.

Maybe taking rooms for the night is a better idea if you have some elderly ladies with you.

I wouldn't make a federal case about this. The good news as everyone says is going there will probably be fine.
I think a lot will depend on the weather that day as to traffic going home. If it's not nice weather, people tend to head home (west) early so you could get lucky (although it would be a shame for the bride).

But you will already have had a nice time hopefully and the passengers may get a snooze. Remember the Northern state is a good option. I sometimes switch back and forth. The hov lane on the LIE may be of some help to you.

Agree with Gekko, about tuning into 1010AM or 880AM and having a good LI street map (e.g. Hagstrom), as traffic snarling incidents can pop up at any . For return trip we usually take Northern or LIE until hitting return beach traffic and head north to Glen Cove Road for example, to reach westbound(25A) Northern Blvd

Ischu, Rt. 25 may or may not be a better option -- which is why you should have a good map and listen to the radio so you can quickly make a change.

With several east/west options, it's best to be flexible and prepared.

Back from wedding on Long Island and will report that traffic was NOT an issue heading out to St. James on Northern State @4pm and not a problem heading back to Bayside @ 11pm either. Took about 45 minuets both ways. Praise the Lord!! Lschu

Suspect traffic may have been eased due to gas$)prices, and undoubtedly aided by 11PM return.

Thanks for your report=D>