NY Williamsburg Bridge, BQE? Need some advice (I'm nervous)

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Scasper10, Jun 6, 2025.

  1. Scasper10

    Scasper10 Bobtail Member

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    I’ve gotta take a rig into south Manhattan. Coming from Boston so my truck gps is saying Whitestone (which I’ve run before) down to Williamsburg bridge (haven’t been on). Curious if any one has gone over the Williamsburg bridge. Furthermore on the way out of Manhattan I’m wondering if I’ll clear the underpass at the Manhattan/brooklyn bridge, on the BQE.

    keep seeing things about atl ave exit on BQE but seems it’s going into Brooklyn not leaving it. I’ve checked Reddit and done a few searches on here but nothing is clear to me. Just a lot of jargon I don’t understand.

    Google and Apple Maps street views don’t show any clearances on that underpass, and no clearances where the Bqe folds under itself heading south towards verazzano.

    I’m heading to pier 17, 89 south street ny. From Boston, and leaving to Philly. Rig height 12’10 as marked.

    any advice or experiences to sooth my fears would be greatly appreciated
     
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
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  3. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    BQE is 13'6" clearance. If you're heading towards Queens, the middle lane is the one to be in. I haven't been over Willy B since before 911. I used to take the Manhattan Bridge (also from Williamsburg) from the Navy Yard, then out through the Holland tunnel. Yes, that was with a 12'6" trailer, and last century.
     
  4. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    How long are you bumper to bumper; and is 12’10 factual or “what it says”? What time of day do you need to be there? I’ve delivered to pier 17 a few times/

    i don’t take the williamsburg bridge; but you can take a truck across it.


    Bqe is fine top to bottom
    I would take:
    95S
    278S
    BQE S
    Tillary St exit
    R onto Manhattan bridge
    R on Bowery
    R on Delancey
    R on Allen
    Follow thru Pike to
    R on South st



    once youre done- south on south st- watch where youre going/ make sure you dont miss the exit for Whitehall//
    Out you can’t take the holland tunnel with a trailer/ and if you’re headed to philly idk that going up to midtown to go south is gonna save you anything time wise vs going back to brooklyn & out the gowanus acrosst staten island
     
  5. Scasper10

    Scasper10 Bobtail Member

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    I’m going to be arriving there around 5 am. And should be leaving at around 1 am so I’m most concerned with just clearance and turns rather than traffic being too crazy
     
  6. Scasper10

    Scasper10 Bobtail Member

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    Those instructions are spot on btw
     
  7. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    You’ll be fine. Swing wide it’s a ####in trailer lol
     
  8. Scasper10

    Scasper10 Bobtail Member

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    Interwebs are saying I have to be under 12’6 to go down the 278 over rfk and onto the commercial use part of grand central prkwy
     
  9. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    You’ll be fine
    14’ clears.
    14’.5” does not clear
     
  10. Scasper10

    Scasper10 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for your help, also one last thing, do you know if I can use lower level (center lanes) on the Manhattan Bridge to Bowery?

    I don’t know why none of these clearances are readily available…they publish every bridge on MTA website except the three going across to Manhattan.
     
  11. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    follow the truck route signs
    Youll be on the lower level/ in the middle. Upper level is outer roadway cars only
     
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