New York Marathon Traffic

November 6, 2011 8:11 AM

Asking for a friend: "Our flight leaves from JFK at 5:55 PM. We're currently in Northern New Jersey, near Morristown. My father has offered to drive us to the airport, but we're concerned about whether this will be physically/emotionally possible due to the marathon. Our plan was to head south and take the Verrazano Bridge. Will this take us around the road closures / traffic hell, or should we just take the train?"
posted by ootsocsid to travel & transportation around New York, NY (8 answers total)

This site has info on all street closings today.
posted by dfriedman at 8:22 AM on November 6, 2011

You could also call the city's 311 (non-emergency information) line and ask them what the best route is. I'm sure others have done the same thing today. 212 NEW YORK from outside NYC.
posted by dfriedman at 8:31 AM on November 6, 2011

This was my question. The traffic station on the TV indicates that the Verrazano is actually closed until 3 and advises that you stay away from it all day. It looks like the GW Bridge will be possible, though, based on the pictures we were seeing.

Please still let me know if you have something more definitive!
posted by gerryblog at 8:44 AM on November 6, 2011

The GWB to Throgs Neck to JFK will be your best bet today.
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:50 AM on November 6, 2011

don't know about from jersey, but getting to jfk from manhattan via subway is a snap...as long as you have a suitcase with wheels...
posted by sexyrobot at 10:09 AM on November 6, 2011

I was going to suggest, if possible, train from Morristown to Penn Station, then either cab it or take the A train to the shuttle train to JFK.

...of course, it's now 2 PM your time and that info isn't helpful, but I tried!
posted by mephron at 10:57 AM on November 6, 2011

Throgs Neck is under construction and partially pass, and a mess. We chose the Whitestone...
posted by gerryblog at 12:59 PM on November 6, 2011

...plus the Cross Island Expressway to the Belt. No problems at all.
posted by gerryblog at 1:30 PM on November 6, 2011