Driving in New York City: a visitor's guide
Tolls, parking, airports and the local rules that catch visitors out.
Tolls & E-ZPass
Most bridges and tunnels into Manhattan charge a toll, and since January 2025 vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street also pay a congestion charge. Tolls are collected electronically: there are no cash booths. Rates change, so check the MTA and Port Authority websites before you drive.
With a rental car, tolls are billed through the company's toll program, usually with a daily service fee on top. Ask at the counter how it works, and bring your own E-ZPass transponder if you have one.
Parking
Street parking in Manhattan is rare and the signs are complex. Read every sign on the block: many streets have alternate side parking, which bans parking for a few hours on set days for street cleaning.
Garages are the simplest option. Booking a spot in advance with a parking app is often much cheaper than the drive-up rate. Hotels with parking usually charge for it by the night.
Renting at the airports
JFK, LaGuardia and Newark all have large rental car centers. Renting at the airport gives you more choice, but airport fees raise the price. If you are spending a few days in the city first, take a train or taxi into Manhattan and rent only on the day you leave town.
Rules visitors miss
- No right turn on a red light anywhere in New York City unless a sign allows it.
- Speed cameras operate across the city, especially near schools.
- Don't block an intersection ("don't block the box"): you can be fined even if the light was green when you entered.
- Honking is prohibited except to warn of danger.
- Many avenues are one-way. Use a GPS and give yourself time.