Traffic Out of Mid-Town on Mem Day Weekend?

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 9:53pm

I'm planning a last-minute binge theater weekend, with a Sunday 3:00 matinee. Assuming it ends around 5:30/5:45, can I get to the airport for 8:00? Both JFK and EWR have 8:00 pm flights. Which would be better to get to by car service or taxi (no taxi to EWR due to the cost of crossing the state line). What is traffic like on the Sunday evening of a three-day weekend? Same, better or worse than a normal weekend? 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 9:58pm

I would say traffic would be pretty easy since the holiday is on Monday-- most people wont be leaving on Sunday.

That being said...traffic is never good going to the airport.

Updated On: 5/10/19 at 09:58 PM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 10:20pm

If everything works perfectly, you get out of the theater on time, you're in a cab with your bags within 5-10 minutes and there are no delays in the tunnel or on the LIE assuming you're going to JFK, you'll make it. If anything glitches, you'll be screwed. It's all up to you and how much risk tolerance you have and faith that everything's going to go perfectly. Personally, if I'm going to JFK from Manhattan, I never allow less than 3 hours cause I don't like to take chances but there have been numerous times I've made it in 2. It's up to you.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 10:30pm

PatrickDC said: "I'm planning a last-minute binge theater weekend, with a Sunday 3:00 matinee. Assuming it ends around 5:30/5:45, can I get to the airport for 8:00? Both JFK and EWR have 8:00 pm flights. Which would be better to get to by car service or taxi (no taxi to EWR due to the cost of crossing the state line). What is traffic like on the Sunday evening of a three-day weekend? Same, better or worse than a normal weekend?"

 

Your better flying out of EWR...JFK when traveling on the Belt is always backed up  and your really running a chance of not making your flight as boarding is 30 min prior so you really need to be at the airport by 7. Go EWR to be on the safe side!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/10/19 at 10:41pm

I’m assuming you’re only traveling with carry-ons. Otherwise, you should really get there by 630. Also, do you have TSA Pre-check or CLEAR? Those TSA lines can be long if you don’t. I personally think you’re cutting it too close.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 2:36pm

Yes, to both: I have Global Entry/TSA Pre, and will only have one small backpack that fits under theater and plane seats. I travel light! :) 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 2:38pm

That certainly helps. If you had CLEAR that would help even more. Still tighter than I am sure you’d like, but you have a shot.

[muffin3]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 6:59pm

If travelling to JFK I would take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station to Jamaica then the Airtrain to your terminal. Since you don't have much baggage that's the easiest way to get there. And it'll be less expensive than a cab/car service. 

[stlrod]

Posted: 5/11/19 at 8:38pm

We’ve done that a number of times out of EWR and LGA (never JFK.). I look at the run times and choose the shortest show for that day (or a show with a 1 or 2 start time) and choose a hotel close to that last theatre so we can quickly grab bags from storage and go.