Quick Summary:
- Check NYC DOT Traffic and 511NY maps before entering Manhattan.
- Expect heavy impacts at Midtown Tunnel, Queensboro Bridge, and FDR Drive.
- Use west-side approaches via Lincoln or Holland when East Side is restricted.
- Follow posted detours, avoid bus lanes, and never force last-second turns.
Yes, you can often drive into Manhattan with car hire during parades or UN week, but access depends on the exact streets closed, the time window, and NYPD security zones. The key is to rely on live, official closure sources, choose crossings that still have through movements, and set up a reroute that does not require prohibited turns or last-second lane dives.
If you are collecting a vehicle at an airport, it helps to know your likely approach corridor early. For example, a pick-up at JFK car rental usually puts you on Van Wyck Expressway toward Queens crossings, which can be strongly affected by East Side restrictions. A pick-up at Newark Airport car rental more naturally approaches Manhattan from the west side via the Holland or Lincoln tunnels, which can be a useful advantage during UN-related East Side closures.
What changes during parades and UN week
Parades typically close an avenue (and cross streets) for several hours, then reopen in phases. The biggest driving issue is not only the closed route itself, but also traffic “holds” at intersections, sudden no-turn rules, and temporary one-way patterns to move crowds safely. You might still reach Manhattan, but your preferred avenue could be blocked for multiple blocks, with detours pushing you across town.
UN week (around the UN General Assembly) is different. Expect multiple days of heightened security on the East Side, with rolling or fixed closures near UN Headquarters, especially around First Avenue, Second Avenue, 42nd Street to the 50s, and access points to the FDR Drive. The most disruptive periods are motorcades, leader arrivals, and NYPD security operations, which can cause short-notice closures and heavy congestion even on streets that are not officially closed.
Exactly where to check live street closures (official sources)
For car hire drivers, you want sources that update quickly and show real closures, not just historical patterns. Use these three checks before you cross into Manhattan, and again if your trip is longer than 30 minutes.
1) NYC DOT Traffic (NYC 311 / DOT traffic pages). This is the city’s main channel for planned events, street closures, and traffic alerts. Look for “traffic advisories” and “street closures” related to your date, then cross-check the map view if available. It is best for planned parade routes and scheduled work, but it may lag behind real-time police activity.
2) 511NY (New York State). Use 511NY for live incident and road closure reporting, especially for bridges, tunnels, and highways feeding Manhattan. If a tunnel approach is backed up because an avenue is closed, you will often see speed drops or incidents that signal trouble even before you reach the river.
3) MTA and NYPD notices for local impacts. Even if you are not taking public transport, MTA service changes and NYPD press updates are a strong hint that streets will be restricted around major stations, event zones, and the UN area. If buses are being rerouted off an avenue, drivers should expect the same corridor to be difficult or blocked.
Practical routine: check your sources before you start, then set your navigation to “avoid tolls” only if you truly need to. During closures, a toll tunnel or bridge can be the only predictable through-route. Also, keep audio guidance on, because signs and temporary detours can require quick but legal lane choices.
Bridges and tunnels most affected, and why
Closures inside Manhattan often “radiate” to the crossings that feed those neighbourhoods. Here is what tends to get hit hardest during parades and UN week, plus what that means for routing.
Queens Midtown Tunnel is frequently painful when the East Side is restricted. If streets near 34th to 50th and First/Second Avenue are closed or heavily controlled, you can exit the tunnel but then struggle to travel north or east. You may also be forced into crosstown detours where turning restrictions are common.
Queensboro Bridge (59th Street Bridge) is similarly sensitive because it lands you near the Upper East Side and connects naturally to Second Avenue and the FDR. During UN activity, that whole north-south movement can be constrained, creating long queues and detours that require careful lane discipline.
Holland Tunnel can become a better bet if East Midtown is locked down, because it drops you into Lower Manhattan with more options to go north on the west side. That said, it is still vulnerable to event congestion, and local street closures in SoHo, Tribeca, or around large gatherings can slow the last mile.
Lincoln Tunnel is a common “plan B” for reaching Midtown West when East Side avenues are a mess. It is often busy, but it places you closer to Ninth/Tenth Avenue style northbound routes, which can stay more navigable during UN week than the East Side grid.
George Washington Bridge is usually less about parades and more about general congestion, but it is a useful alternative if you are willing to approach from Upper Manhattan and come down the west side. It can also help you avoid Midtown choke points entirely, depending on your destination.
If you are arriving with a larger party and luggage, note that bigger vehicles need earlier lane planning. If your hire is a people carrier from minivan rental at Newark EWR, avoid last-second exits and give yourself extra space to merge, because detour signs can appear late near tunnel approaches.
How to reroute without illegal turns (the street-level rules that catch visitors)
During parade and UN closures, the common mistakes are not dramatic. They are small, expensive errors: prohibited turns, entering bus-only lanes, blocking an intersection, or ignoring a temporary “local access only” instruction.
Do not rely on a single route line. Set your navigation to show alternate routes, then pick an approach that uses major through streets rather than weaving in the last half-mile. When roads are controlled by NYPD, your phone may keep re-routing you onto streets that are physically blocked. If that happens, stop re-routing and follow posted detours until you are clear of the closure zone.
Watch for temporary turn bans. Manhattan already has many “No left turn” and “No right turn on red” rules. During events, additional turn bans are posted with portable signs or enforced at the corner. If an officer is directing traffic, their instruction overrides the signal, and you should not attempt a different turn because your sat-nav says so.
Avoid bus lanes unless clearly permitted. Some lanes are time-restricted, others are bus-only at all times, and enforcement is common. During closures, buses are rerouted and lanes can be coned off in ways that confuse drivers. Stay in general traffic lanes unless signs explicitly allow otherwise.
Never block the box. When cross streets are closed, the remaining intersections jam quickly. In New York, entering an intersection without space to clear it can trigger a ticket and will worsen the gridlock that is already forcing detours.
Use the west side as your safety valve. When the East Side is restricted, a dependable pattern is to enter Manhattan on the west side and then move east only as far as necessary, and only when you can see the cross street is open. This reduces the chance that you end up trapped between barricades with no legal turn options.
Recommended strategies by scenario
If UN week closures affect East Midtown: Aim for Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown West if your destination is above 23rd Street, then use north-south avenues on the west side (where permitted) and cut east late in the trip. If you must reach the East Side, try to approach from the north or south edge of the closure zone, not directly through it.
If a parade closes a major avenue: Decide whether you need to cross the parade route at all. If you do, pick a crosstown street well away from the densest crowd area, and expect police to hold traffic until large groups have passed. Build time for waiting, not just distance.
If you are coming from JFK or Queens: Be cautious with plans that depend on Queensboro Bridge or the Midtown Tunnel when East Side access is limited. If live maps show slowdowns, consider shifting to a west-side entry even if it adds miles. If you opted for a lower-cost option like budget car rental at JFK, the savings can disappear fast if you spend an extra hour idling in a closure queue.
If you are coming from Newark or New Jersey: West-side crossings may be simpler during UN week, but still check 511NY and tunnel status. If Holland is jammed, Lincoln can be quicker for Midtown, while George Washington Bridge can be better for Upper Manhattan and the west side.
Timing tips that make Manhattan access easier
Enter earlier than the peak closure window. Many parades begin set-up hours before step-off, and NYPD may start restricting cross streets well in advance. If you can enter Manhattan before barricades are fully in place, you may avoid the worst detours. The same logic applies to UN week, where morning arrivals and late afternoon departures are often the hardest.
Plan a legal stopping point. If your destination is inside a controlled area, you may be unable to reach the exact kerbside you want. Identify a nearby cross street outside the closure zone where stopping is allowed, then walk the last few minutes. This is often safer than circling blocks looking for an opening and accidentally taking a prohibited turn.
Keep toll and plate rules in mind. Crossings and some Manhattan zones use cashless tolling, and your hire agreement may handle toll charges through the rental provider. The important part for closures is that avoiding tolls can push you onto slower local routes that are more likely to be barricaded.
What to do if you hit a barricade or “local access only” checkpoint
First, do not argue your way through. If an officer says the street is closed, assume your navigation is wrong for current conditions. Ask, politely and briefly, which avenue or cross street is open for through traffic. Then follow the direction even if it looks longer.
If you are genuinely staying on a closed block, you may be permitted through with proof of address or a hotel reservation, but policies vary and can change hourly during UN week. If you do not have proof to hand, you are more likely to be turned away and forced into a detour that is harder to manage under pressure.
When re-routing, make bigger moves: head to a major north-south avenue that you can see is flowing, then re-approach. Small block-by-block zigzags are where illegal turns happen, especially when temporary signs remove your usual options.
FAQ
Can I drive into Manhattan during UN week with car hire? Often yes, but East Midtown near the UN can have security zones and rolling closures. Use live NYC DOT and 511NY checks, and favour west-side approaches when the East Side is restricted.
Which bridge or tunnel should I choose when streets near the UN are closed? Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel can be more practical because they place you on the west side. Queensboro Bridge and the Midtown Tunnel may be slower if First and Second Avenue access is limited.
Where can I see live street closures before I set off? Check NYC DOT traffic advisories for planned closures and use 511NY for real-time incidents affecting bridges, tunnels, and approaches. Recheck close to the river, not just at the start.
How do I avoid illegal turns when police detours override my sat-nav? Follow posted detour signs and officer directions first, then re-route once you are clear. Avoid last-second lane changes, bus lanes, and turns that are temporarily banned by portable signs.
What if my destination is inside a parade route or a UN security zone? You may not be allowed to reach the exact address by car. Pick a lawful drop-off point outside the controlled area, keep any proof of stay accessible, and walk the final section if needed.
