The Things I do to Avoid the Lincoln Tunnel

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678) 12/23/2016 at 11:06 • Filed to: None

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So tonight I am heading into NYC with my girlfriend to see the tree, get some dinner, and walk around like tourists. I generally avoid going up there but it’s a Christmastime tradition for us so that’s happening. Anyways, there of course are two major ways to get there - drive and park OR take a train. The problem with the train route is it takes about 45 minutes, costs $10 per person one way and we have to pay ~$7 to park at the station anyways. Alternatively, driving in is a $13 toll and I found a garage in the city offering $12 valet parking after 5pm. Sure there is gas cost and tip for the valet but I still come out ahead versus the insane $40 round trip train cost.

The issue with driving of course is the traffic. The Lincoln tunnel absolutely sucks at all hours of all days so I generally always avoid it. Other options include the Holland tunnel and the George Washington Bridge (the originator of #Bridgegate!). GWB tends to be the best option but it always looks obnoxious on a map to take such a detour. It is usually about the same time but way less stop and go (my clutch and left leg can thank me later).

If only transit options were much friendlier like Europe. In most civilized places, you would be insane to drive into the city center instead of take the quick, painless, and cheap public transit options.

crowmolly > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:11

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The Lincoln tunnel absolutely sucks at all hours of all days

Not true.

7-10 AM and 4-7 PM, sure. Other times it’s not so bad. Last week I drove in/out off peak and didn’t hit any meaningful traffic at all. I do it with some degree of frequency for work.

Matt > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:13

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In Europe, outside of London, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and every German city, public transit sucks completely. In the U.K., it mainly consists of standing in the rain at a bus stop.

Rico > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:16

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Yeah everyone I know from Jersey always avoids taking the tunnel. Where is this garage you speak of in the city? I usually use this app called BestParking to check garage rates in the area I’m trying to park.

adamftw > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:19

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Wait till tomorrow.

Seriously. I go to Little Italy with my in-laws every Christmas Eve (tradition for them) and the place is DEAD. I can park right on Mulberry no problem. Traffic is pretty low going in in the afternoon and nonexistent leaving after dinner.

DynamicWeight > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:22

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Is it just because you don’t like heavy traffic? Because, since you had to tell google to go around, it looks like it would still be faster.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > crowmolly 12/23/2016 at 11:22

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Yeah, off hours it’s fine. Midtown’s a ghost town because of Christmas right now anyway.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > crowmolly 12/23/2016 at 11:26

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Oh yeah, I know. I am just exaggerating. It just always seems like it backs all the way up 495 most days. Ill be going during one of those times of course so its likely to be not so good.

BeaterGT > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:27

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Would still take the train.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Rico 12/23/2016 at 11:27

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Ive got a coupon for 15% off through parkwhiz. Its another app exactly like bestparking. The address is in my google maps image. There were a couple in that area for $12 to $15. Found some cheaper ones but they are way out of the way and looked sketchy.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DynamicWeight 12/23/2016 at 11:29

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Well yeah, right now lincoln tunnel route is about 10 minutes faster than going up and around. But that can easily change significantly in a few hours from now. Only problem is if the Henry Hudson heading downtown gets backed up, then it is basically the same shit.

Id really like to go through the tunnel with no traffic though, my new exhaust would be A LOT of fun.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > adamftw 12/23/2016 at 11:31

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This is a good idea. I will look into fitting that into our schedule. You are talking about street parking? I have never been able to figure out how that works in NYC. It seems like they just tow everyone for whatever they feel like. I am good at reading signs but that city is a shit show.

DynamicWeight > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:33

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Google has a feature where you can set your time of departure (or desired time of arrival) and it will use historical data to predict your best route during that time.

Your boy, BJR > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:36

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Best way to go to the city- go to secaucus junction and park there ($26) and then take the train ($8 per person) 10 minute train ride, avoid lincoln tunnel traffic.

ncasolowork3 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:37

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Good luck with the Valet. Hope that doesn’t cost you more than the train ride.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:37

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I’ve never had a problem finding free street parking. Really,the place is a ghost town right now. You’ll be fine.

BREADwagon > crowmolly 12/23/2016 at 11:37

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Exactly. The GW is just as bad as the LT if not worse, plus you have all the turnpike traffic nearing the bridge, and the henry hudson/west side highway traffic to contend with.

Take the tunnel dude.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ncasolowork3 12/23/2016 at 11:40

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As much as I dont like valets (ive worked as one, I know its bad in some places), I dont really worry much with my Miata. I could see if I had something fragile or expensive. But with the way I drive it anyways I tend to consider it low risk.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Your boy, BJR 12/23/2016 at 11:41

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Yeah but that is like twice the cost. I still might take the train but I will base it on traffic outlook on google maps.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BeaterGT 12/23/2016 at 11:42

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I have done both a handful of times. Penn Station is terrible to deal with and it costs more. I will base it on traffic though of course. I will pay anything to avoid sitting in nonmoving traffic.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DynamicWeight 12/23/2016 at 11:44

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well yeah thats nice to use but I dont want to get boned by unscheduled construction or a disabled vehicle blocking a lane or something. I should be able to get near the train station, check traffic, and decide from there.

DynamicWeight > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 11:45

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Makes sense

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BREADwagon 12/23/2016 at 11:49

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Well yeah it will be a last minute decision type deal. I just recall a few times seeing those “time to NYC signs” on the parkway that will be like “Holland tunnel 40 minutes, GWB 50 minutes, Lincoln tunnel 120 minutes” and just wondering what hellhole that would be.

adamftw > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 12:04

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Just read the street signs. Sometimes you have to walk a couple car lengths in each direction to make sure you’re ok. It’s so dead there now you won’t be getting honked and hassled at like the rest of the year.

Ilike_cougars > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 12:05

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I used to stay in Kearny, Used to work on 33rd and 10th, used to take me 30mins door to door through the Lincoln tunnel, around the 9:00AM rush hour. Use the middle tunnel and use the EZpass lane while entering the tunnel. used to work for me.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 12:11

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Godspeed, I almost had an aneurysm from driving into the city then into Jamaica Queens. I always and will take the bus into the city. The anger isn’t worth it.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Your boy, BJR 12/23/2016 at 12:13

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This is a rare case where you go north of the Raritan and park in my shithole of a town.

JGrabowMSt > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 12:31

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The ferry is great.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Ilike_cougars 12/23/2016 at 12:44

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Haha i like the double entendre of your username. Not sure how I feel about the newer ones, but classic cougars are straight class.

And yeah thats looking like the best option unless traffic nightmare ensues shortly.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > JGrabowMSt 12/23/2016 at 12:45

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I’ve heard this but driving is certainly more convenient. And I kinda want to test how loud my exhaust echoes off of buildings lol. Also, I gotta show you that at some point! Its loud as hell.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 12/23/2016 at 12:46

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I never get angry in traffic. I only really ever get fearful for my life or the safety of my car. It tends to be easier with the giant dent in the side of my car though, i dont worry about it too much aesthetically now. But yeah I actually have fun driving in Manhattan sometimes. Just the chaos of it all is kind of entertaining.

Your boy, BJR > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 12/23/2016 at 12:46

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Secaucus IS a shithole lol

Ilike_cougars > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 13:05

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Yeah the first gen is definitely my favorite. I did own an 2002 model as well. Drove the crap out of it before it went to pieces. Pretty decent Autocross runner actually..

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Your boy, BJR 12/23/2016 at 13:06

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Its full of swamp people, midgets, and old people.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 13:13

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The train isn’t the only way to get in, drive to Hoboken and take the Path to Christopher street, short walk to the A/C/E line and then you’re only 3 stops from 42nd street and all the touristy things. The Path also runs way more frequently than NJ Transit and costs the same as a subway ride.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Your boy, BJR 12/23/2016 at 13:15

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Coming from that direction it’s easier to park at Hobken and take the Path. Way cheaper too.

Your boy, BJR > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 12/23/2016 at 13:17

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Coming from down the shore? Really?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Your boy, BJR 12/23/2016 at 13:23

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Hope on 78 and it spits you out right by the station, maybe I’m thinking of Jersey city but either way the Path drops you off at Christopher street in the West Village and you can either hope on the subway at West 4th or walk up to 14th street. There is plenty of neat stuff on the way to 14th street to check out while you’re walking along.

Whenever a train breaks down in the tunnel I take the path from Newark and walk to work from Christopher street, it’s a pleasant walk.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 12/23/2016 at 13:37

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The problem with the PATH is parking for it. It was nice when I lived in Hoboken, I could just walk to it. But parking in Hoboken or Jersey City for any amount of time is ludicrously expensive. The only way to really find affordable parking is in Newark, but no way in hell would I leave my car in Newark lol.

Stephenson Valve Gear > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 18:24

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As a person who does not live in the area, and has never visited the area before, can anyone there tell me how the traffic is through the Lincoln Tunnel at say, 3 or 4 AM on a Saturday morning? Asking for a friend, who is considering driving from NY to LA... :-D

JGrabowMSt > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 20:40

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You drive to the ferry, park in the garage and then uber it around the city.

NYC (all of new york, actually), if you have a car accident with an uninsured driver, only bodily injury is covered. If your car gets FUBAR’d, you’re SOL. Its why I refuse to drive in NYC, doesnt matter what car it is.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > JGrabowMSt 12/23/2016 at 22:46

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Good point, never knew about the insurance situation there. I ended up taking the train in from Metropark since traffic was looking bad. Was easy as can be! I really should try the ferry some day though since you aren’t the first to suggest it.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Stephenson Valve Gear 12/23/2016 at 22:47

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Middle of the night like that is generally always fine on all crossings over the Hudson. Unless ridiculous construction or an accident gets in the way, it’s fine at that hour.

JGrabowMSt > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/23/2016 at 23:57

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Theres the ferry and then the water taxi. The ferry is great for certain stops, the water taxi is great for others. Its 45 minutes for me to drive to Weehawken, then about 20 to get to the NY side. The train is 90 minutes, or longer if there are delays and/or drunk people.

Ill probably be using both on monday to hit up B&H as well as a restaurant down by Water St.

Stephenson Valve Gear > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/24/2016 at 12:40

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Great, that’s what we were hoping. Nice to have confirmation from someone in the area... thank you!

Thomas Donohue > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/28/2016 at 18:56

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Too late for this, but take the PATH from Harrison right off 280. Nice parking deck, $12 for up to 12 hours.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Thomas Donohue 12/28/2016 at 19:57

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Nice to know that for the future! Especially if I wanted to end up Downtown. Would save the subway ride down from Penn and would be much cheaper/faster overall. I know my girlfriend hates the PATH but its certainly a good option for the WTC area.