To the NYC Drivers…. A couple questions…

Thankful that most of my 5 borough experience was in a tanker 12' 4" fits almost everywhere!

 

Rarely did I ever have to go into Manhattan in a truck, but exactly once I dragged a 20 ft container through the Lincoln tunnel on the way back to Jersey after unloading it down in Chinatown. That was a little too close for comfort on the overheard clearance. Flatbed guys go through there all the time but 13'6" aren't allowed. (Every once in awhile somebody will try it lol). Stick to the Manhattan bridge or 59th St. bridge if you aren't sure.

 

You actually can run Atlantic Ave. all the way through Brooklyn if you dodge a couple overhead obstacles. It eventually veers you off onto Conduit Blvd. which then turns into NY-878 the Nassau Expressway. If you're trying to get to JFK or beyond on the south side of LI this will shave a few miles compared to running up to 495 and back down 678. Unlikely it would save any time though.

 

When I ran down there I would listen to 1010WINS on the way in. If coming from 87, listen to see where the Deagan is backed up, maybe stay on the Cross Westchester Expressway or if the Cross Bronx is backed up, take the Deegan down to the bottom and head up the Bruckner Expressway. If the Throgs neck is backed up, take the Whitestone to the VanWyk. But definitely stay in the highways if you’re that far out.

 

In my experience, which is not much, is you simply have to ignore dozens of 12’x”clearance signs unless it’s actually lower than 13’6” then you will hit a bridge. It’s simple really. Also theres lots of short trailers trolling around so be careful if you follow a local driver.

To Long Island going over the GWB stay on 95 till 295 over the throngs neck until 495 East and no spark or loud bangs the entire way out to Hauppage. The rest areas I passed all said no trucks. Good luck, $330 dollars in tolls and traffic and no parking.

 

I feel for you guys driving an 18 wheeler in the NY metro area. I used to live on Long Island. I had the “thrill” of driving ten wheelers in the NY metro area a couple of decades ago and the traffic sucked then. I see that it hasn’t changed one bit.

 

After not going that way for a looong time, that sign got me... got off at Atlantic ave, and went back and forth across Marcy, Williamsburg, and Bed-Stuy before I was able to make it to an on ramp back in Williamsburg. I am just glad it was about 0200, and it really wouldn't have been a big deal, but it seemed like all the usual good routes were blocked by Ambulances, NYPD, or double parked school busses. (Especially in Williamsburg)

 

It’s gotta be dang near 30 years ago now
NYC DOT put that sign up for a One Saturday night overnight project underneath the Promenade....With a well marked 2 turn detour right back in at Flushing ave...ez Peze no fuss early am Sunday
Why in heaven’s name they’ve Never bothered to take it down is beyond reason
Probably still gets a dozen drivers a day

 

Yes it does...but it’s every bit of 13’10
Course you only have to go thru there one time...to learn that right lane quickly becomes an “exit only” lane for the Brooklyn Bridge...which is too low
So just as well unfamiliar drivers stay out of it