Bordentown to JFK - Best Route(s) for Straight Truck

sectra1 · May 30, 2013

It doesn't have to be Bordentown but that's generally the starting point. By all appearances it looks possible by taking the Verrazano bridge to NY, then north on 278 up to 495. Then 495 to 678 (Van Wyck) which basically drops right into the cargo areas.

Problem is, the Garmin says no way to 278. I've looked into this in the past but keep knocking my head against a wall.

paullud · May 30, 2013

You can get to 278 off of 95, it is exit 13.

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sectra1 · May 30, 2013

I did not state the question very well at all. My GPS is routing me via GW because it believes there is a truck restriction on 278.

What I really want to know is if there are any truck restrictions anywhere on 278 between 95 (NJ) and 495 (NY).

But maybe what I should be asking is, what would your route look like from Bordentown to JFK?

jimby82 · May 30, 2013

Your gps is probably picking up the low clearance posted on 278 near the Brooklyn Bridge. There us a sign there stating all vehicles over 12' 8" (I think) must exit.

It's one of those "NY" signs. Not too accurate, as they take into consideration if there was snow or ice on the road. The bridge overhangs the road through that section of the highway. Stay in the right hand lane.

We've been through there several times with no problems. We're 13'4". Not telling you to go that way, but we've done it.

Personally, I would go up 95 to the GWB then over to 678 and the Whitestone Bridge. Further, but traffic on 278/478 can be a mess at times (and so can 95 and GWB.)

Best advice is just avoid NYC, lol. Someone who goes into and out of there often might have a better routing for you. Good luck

Ragman · May 30, 2013

jimby82 said:
Someone who goes into and out of there often might have a better routing for you. Good luck

Isn't Deville from the NY area? Perhaps he can help.

paullud · May 30, 2013

As jimby82 stated there is a posted low clearance where a section of the road has a ramp over it. I ran through there with a TT more than once and never had an issue.

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CharlesD · May 30, 2013

The best thing to do in NYC is to learn the area and turn off the GPS. I always used 278. You can get backed up seriously on the GW. Better still plan on a couple hours from exit 13 to JFK though. It can get a bit slow sometimes.

sectra1 · May 30, 2013

paullud said:
As jimby82 stated there is a posted low clearance where a section of the road has a ramp over it. I ran through there with a TT more than once and never had an issue.

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Paullud...is / was your TT 13'6"?

paullud · May 30, 2013

sectra1 said:
Paullud...is / was your TT 13'6"?

Yes and I believe one of the boats I brought out to the Hamptons was 13'7". All the oversized loads have to wait by the bridge and we get a police escort across. The civilian escort brought me right through there with 7 or 8 other guys and no one had an issue. I usually just run the middle lane all the way through. Here is a link with pictures and one even has a TT in it, just look at the pictures for exit 27. http://www.aaroads.com/guide.php?page=i0278ecny

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Humble2drive · May 30, 2013

jimby82 said:
Your gps is probably picking up the low clearance posted on 278 near the Brooklyn Bridge. There us a sign there stating all vehicles over 12' 8" (I think) must exit.

Yep. First time through I got punk'd by that sign. Had an afternoon drive through Brooklyn. I used every cuss word invented and even made up a few. Live and learn I guess.

BobWolf · May 30, 2013

Easy,

Fill up in N.J. you will not find a truck stop in or arround N.Y.C.

Take 80/ 95 G.W. bridge upper level stay on 95 untill you see 678 whitestone bridge, stay on 687 into JFK

A WORD OF WARNING.
Stay on designated truck routes. A wrong turn will cost you a ticket that carrys 3 points on your licence, and a $500.00 fine, and they enforce them.
I almost earned one a couple years ago.
One more thing stay off the parkways a 13'6" truck will not fit under the 8 foot clearence bridges.

Good luck and be safe

pearlpro · May 31, 2013

Im pretty sure most of the parkways are marked NO TRUCKs, I used to haul cranes in and to NYC and had some interesting journeys routing, once wound up in a little town with no way to turn around, called the local police who came right down assisted in getting us turned around and then located/directed to a good safe place to park before we could move into the delivery area after midnight, routing thru there with GPS is a bit strange, I agree use the map if you can, got to Google MAPS and print out a detailed set.

cranis · May 31, 2013

This is right, I got 'caught. the first time I went there. Ended up on the surface streets, whic was worse for the wear. LOL

cranis · May 31, 2013

Here is a link to down load ..A pdf NYC truck routing. I did this and than enlarged the 5 boros' so easyer to read. GPS will rerouting alot

NYC DOT - Trucks and Commercial Vehicles

Doggie Daddy · May 31, 2013

Humble2drive said:
Yep. First time through I got punk'd by that sign. Had an afternoon drive through Brooklyn. I used every cuss word invented and even made up a few. Live and learn I guess.

Been fooled myself by the sign, one trip across Brooklyn on Atlantic Ave will convince you that there has to be a better way.

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zorry · May 31, 2013

Doggie Daddy said:
Been fooled myself by the sign, one trip across Brooklyn on Atlantic Ave will convince you that there has to be a better way.

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Been there, done that.

sectra1 · Jun 1, 2013

One of the reasons for taking 278 to jfk is to avoid the toll on the GW going into NY. My understanding is that there is no toll on 278 going in and no toll on GW coming out. Less clams for more fish. Those tolls can add up.

sectra1 · Jun 1, 2013

By the way, thank you all for your feedback and the links. If anyone else can weigh in please do. Based on what I've read, there is still a question of 278 with a 13'6". I'm pretty sure the posts above confirm it's okay but again, I don't want to find out the hard way.

And as I posted above, 278 in and GW out means no bridge tolls.

CharlesD · Jun 1, 2013

Let me clear up the toll thing. The GW has toll inbound. Going the other way you have two bridges to get to JFK. You have the Goethals from NJ to Staten Island and the Verrazano from Staten Island to Long Island. The Goethals has a toll inbound and the Verrazano has a toll going out, so going into Long Island you're going to have a toll either way, but I'd rather not take the GW inbound because the traffic backups can be horrible at times. The toll booths getting on the Goethals can be slow as well, but normally not as bad as the GW.

ChanceMaster · Jun 2, 2013

sectra1 said:
By the way, thank you all for your feedback and the links. If anyone else can weigh in please do. Based on what I've read, there is still a question of 278 with a 13'6". I'm pretty sure the posts above confirm it's okay but again, I don't want to find out the hard way.

And as I posted above, 278 in and GW out means no bridge tolls.

Just on 278 a few weeks ago from NJ to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Those signs WILL freak You out, but in just this instance, You will be alright. Its scary if its Your first time. MUCH MORE dangerous going Atlantic Ave. route. Watch the overhang and Youll be OK. We had an unmarked LEO escort, and He informed us that He takes trucks that way ALL the time. As others have stated, learn the area so You dont stress out. Good rates for those willing to operate in NYC area in my opinion (good rates for low miles I should say). Ive learned to enjoy NYC and look forward to operating there. We unloaded in the middle of Times Square @ 0200 last time, prettycool to me.