How to Survive Holland Tunnel Traffic

The Holland Tunnel connects New Jersey to southern Manhattan and is often the best choice for a trip to Brooklyn thanks to its convenient connections to the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The traffic can be daunting during rush hour, but this guide will help you make the most of your time!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet connection
• AM radio
• Portable music or audio book

1. If you're not commuting, avoid taking the tunnel into New York in the morning and into New Jersey in the evening. Also, consider public transportation.
2. Log on to a traffic website and look at the tunnel situation. If the traffic is more than you can handle, take the Lincoln tunnel or a bridge depending on which is more convenient to you.
3. Leave beverages at home if you anticipate traffic. You can not pull over in the tunnel, and there are very few elegant options for emptying your bladder while driving in shoulder to shoulder traffic.
4. Grab your tunes or audio book, hop into the car, tune your radio to 1010 Wins and head toward the tunnel. Listen for the traffic report. If there is a big backup going into the tunnel you'll either have to grin and bare it or divert to the Lincoln tunnel, which might not be much better, or the George Washington Bridge which is quite a drive north.
5. There's little you can do to avoid the commute traffic at the tunnel entrance, but it should keep moving even if it's slow and you can relax, comfortable in the knowledge that it's a short tunnel. Now is the time to pop in your tunes or book. Obviously, personal preference is all important in selecting your music but I find that relaxing music is best when I have to be patient.

Tips & Warnings

• Coming from North Jersey or north Manhattan? Turn on 1010 wins and keep it on, you may want to divert to a bridge or the Lincoln tunnel on the way!
• Do not honk in the tunnel, everyone's in the same boat and you may just start a chain reaction.