How to Avoid Traffic at the George Washington Bridge in New York & New Jersey

Interstate-95, as well as U.S. Routes 1 and 9, all converge on the George Washington Bridge.

Opened in 1931, the George Washington Bridge, or GW, is part or the Interstate-95 corridor that links New York City and New Jersey. Located in the Washington Heights section of northern Manhattan, the GW crosses the Hudson river to Fort Lee, New Jersey. As the primary route for travelers driving through New York City into New Jersey, and vice-versa, the GW is the most direct and recommended route. However, the bridge is very congested during rush hour, with toll booths causing most of the traffic problems. Since traffic jams can delay your travel plans, there are ways to avoid traffic on the George Washington Bridge.

Things You'll Need

• E-Z Pass (optional)
• New York/New Jersey highway map

Instructions

General Advice

1. Get an E-Z Pass. Purchasing an E-Z Pass from the New Jersey Customer Service Center is highly recommended if you travel the George Washington Bridge on a regular basis. Mounting the E-Z Pass on your windshield allows you to use the special E-Z Pass lanes, so the toll gets paid electronically. The toll cost is automatically deducted from a pre-paid account when you drive through the toll.

2. Pick your travel times. If at all possible, do not travel the George Washington Bridge during rush hours, roughly between 5 and 8 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. These are peak traffic times and traffic jams are most likely to occur during these time periods.

3. Choose a different bridge level depending on the direction you are traveling. The wisdom of regular commuters suggests traveling on the bridge's lower level when going to New Jersey, or southbound, and the upper level when traveling northbound into New York City.

Alternate Routes

1. Travel over the Tappan Zee Bridge when driving southbound from upstate New York or New England. Located approximately 40 miles North of the GW, the Tappan Zee Bridge is part of Interstate-287. This route allows you to skip New York City altogether.

2. Take Interstate-287, if coming from the western bank of the Hudson River. Interstate-287 leads to the Garden State Parkway, which reconnects you with Interstate-95 in the Palisades Park area of New Jersey, directly outside NYC.

3. Travel the Garden State Parkway when going northbound into New York State, or New England. The Garden State Parkway is a truck-free road that brings you to Interstate-287 and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless you know the area well, it is risky to try Manhattan options to the George Washington Bridge, which can include the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. Manhattan traffic offers it own unique problems, and will not give any real short cuts around the George Washington Bridge.

References

• Google Maps: Manhattan
• E-Z Pass: How it Works
• NYC Roads: George Washington Bridge Historic Overview

Resources

• E-Z Pass: New Jersey Customer Service Center
• CBS New York: Traffic