Is driving in New York City much different than other major cities, such as Chicago and San Francisco?|150011

If there are significant differences, what are they? Is NYC much more difficult to drive in, or is it comparable?

Thanks!

In LA, the streets are much wider esp. the main streets than they are in NYC. Also, in LA, cars stop if people step into the streets even when cars have the green light right of way. This does not happen in NYC. There is also no right on red within NYC limits (all 5 boroughs). Because of this during the day esp. the streets are clogged with cars, taxi_s, livery cabs, buses, bikes, pedestrians, dog walkers, nanny_s with strollers, ambulances roller bladers, skateboarders etc all trying to get to their destinations in a much more congested setting and all feeling they have the right of way.

San Francisco is probably more similar to NYC than LA if only because it is more of a congested urban city and LA is so spread out. But it is still mellower with regard to traffic.

Highways circle the city here and can get congested during rush hours but are not bad off hours.. the highways taking people back home to the suburbs are worse.

The streets in Manhattan can get very crowded with taxis, buses and other drivers. One thing that my be different is you also have to deal with a lot of pedestrians. New Yorkers tend to walk a lot and you must look out for them darting in front of a vehicle. The street signs are very small so if you are not aware of where you are going, you can get lost. Some streets are one-way and you must be observant of that. Parking on the street can be difficult as well.

Driving in the boroughs for the most part is not too bad, although there are areas that can be like downtown Brooklyn and the area around Flushing Main Street. However, driving in Manhattan is in general a horror show.

Part of the problem is just congestion. Part of it is people who are unfamiliar and think that _Oh, I_ll drive like a NY_er._ and attempt to do so by being overly aggressive. Anothe thing is that we have drivers from all over who merge here and all have the driving style that works where they are from since everyone else drives that way. Doesn_t work here.

AAA advises that driving here should be left to the natives. I agree.
But, if you must, assertive is a better description of what you need be, rather than agresiive. And be patient. Follow the rules, and no right turns on a red light.

I agree with babylon for the most part, and have to add that driving in Manhattan is a horror, and your pretty much guaranteed to get at least one ticket per day. either parking, or not following road signs that hang 21 feet in the air. I_ve tried and I_ve tried but I have not be able to drive ticket free in nyc for more than a week. I_ve given up my car and I use the metro, Much easier to get around,

once again i need to point out the parking horror, this is an absolute night mare, you will be hard pressed to find parking and when you can_t ( which will be most of the time, the average parking will cost you about 11 dollars Per Hour !!

Don_t drive in NYC, catch the metro

I_ve driven a lot in SF and a little in NYC...downtown SF was no picnic, but NYC is worse. Differences: Tons of pedestrians, including jaywalkers everywhere. Narrow streets in much of Manhattan. Lots of congestion. Extremely aggressive drivers, including but not limited to taxis and bumbling tourists. Confusing signage in many areas. No right on red. Expensive tolls, so that you really feel it if you mess up and accidentally drive to New Jersey. :)

Might be surprised.
NYC esp Manhattan is fairly well traffic controlled by lights.
Flow is not always fast but you get steady movement.
There are through roads _ major arteries all around the city but they are not speedways ( usually) _ entrance / exit traffic lanes slow things down.
Weekdays after rush hours ,its usually free sailing.
There are the legendary rush hour _ getaway weekend jams but New Yorkers have learned to ride them out.
Have not travelled that much but compared to Atlanta, NYC is a kiddie ride.
Scared the crap out of me _ hosts thought I was kidding.
Best regards

Nah, it_s not that different. I only drive a few times a year and don_t have any problem with it.

The underlying problem in Manhattan is that it_s an island - there are only a few ways on or off. Traffic at the bridges and tunnels is the biggest hassle and if something goes wrong (like a break down or accident) then it goes very bad very fast and ripples throughout the borough.

Pretty similar to Chicago, but as someone else said watch out for the pedestrians. Some drivers here seem to think they are playing bumper cars with real cars on our streets.
Watch out for street parking, some of our signs are confusing. In midtown there are muni meters for commercial vehicles. DO NOT park your passenger car in these areas unless the sign says mon - fri, you can park a passenger car in those spots and you do not have to feed the meter. If a parking sign says except sundays do not park there unless it_s a sunday

Good Luck, Have fun, then Go Home

For me, Boston is a roadway horror. In NYC, one needs to be aggressive, and in Manhattan, one needs to watchout for the taxis.

Its the same driving in New York as in any other city.

In my opinion, the worse two cities I have driven in are Washington DC and Boston.

It_s much worse than any other city.

And, you must be 21 years old to legally drive in New York City limits.

nope just the same.
be defensive and you will have no problem.

its not bad go to boston...theres a bad place