Best Way out of JFK airport to get to 95S around 5pm on a weekday?

Question

We're driving to FL and are dropping off a family member at JFK and then continiuing on. What is the best way to get to -95S?

Answer 1

The answer above is outstanding and tells you everything you need to know.  But just to avoid confusion, I should point out that the New Jersey Turnpike is not Route 95, although it will take you there in the most direct way.   Route 95 actually swings west from the city out to Philadelphia and then back east to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  It is not the fastest way to get to Florida from New York - you want to take the New Jersey Turnpike to its southern end, which is the Delaware Memorial Bridge and where you pick up 95 again.

Answer 2

Get on the westbound Belt Parkway and take the Verrazzano Bridge (toll) over to Staten Island.   You'll be on the Staten Island Expressway, stay on that and get off the exit for the West Shore Expressway (Route 440) to New Jersey.  Stay on that and go over the OuterBridge Crossing into NJ (no toll collected).  Stay on route 440 until you see the exit for the I 95 South (NJ Turnpike).

That is the most direct way. Since 5 PM is the rush hour you will hit traffic almost everywhere while in the confines of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.  Once you get on I-95in NJ be a bit better (but only a little).

One note on the Verrazano Bridge traffic.  If you have an EZ Pass then use the upper level, but if you will be paying the toll in cash use the lower level. The ramp to the upper level will leave you in the extreme left lanes on the bridge which lead to EZ Pass only toll booths (getting over to the right while on the bridge to get to the cash toll booths can be very difficult during rush hours and totally impossible once you get to the toll plaza).

Have a safe trip.