Christmas 2019: Worst Day, Time To Drive In The NY Metro Area

Driving this holiday around the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City? According to AAA, Thursday will be the worst day for travelers. Around the metro area, delays could more than double the usual afternoon drive time.

More Americans than ever – 115.6 million – are expected to travel this holiday season, during Dec. 21-Jan. 1. That is the most in nearly 20 years since AAA began tracking the number in 2000. Most of them will be driving. AAA said INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, expects delays to be the worst on Thursday, with afternoon delays reaching nearly double congestion-free drive times in major U.S. cities.

New York will issue its usual moratorium on nonesssential lane closures, hoping to keep all that traffic flowing.

The trouble is, it won't help anyone driving Thursday. All road construction work behind temporary lane closures on state highways will be suspended from 6 a.m. Tuesday only until 6 a.m. Thursday.

The worst drive time around New York City will be from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. Thursday, AAA said, and motorists will have to cope with 2.7 times the normal drive time.

New Yorkers are reminded that state and local law enforcement agencies are participating in the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, which runs through Jan. 1. Motorists can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and more New York state troopers out on patrol.

"The holiday season means increased traffic volumes on our roadways, and troopers will be out in force to ensure everyone gets safety to and from their destinations," New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said in a press release. "We ask drivers to do their part by putting down mobile devices and planning ahead for a safe ride home if your holiday celebrations include alcohol. While road construction will be suspended, motorists should still drive with caution through work zones and obey all posted speed limits."

Construction will also be suspended from 6 a.m. Dec. 31, through 6 a.m. Jan. 2. Some work may continue behind concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available here.