George Washington Bridge, NY

[yukionna]

In our recent travels, we decided to try out the George Washington Bridge in New York on a late Saturday afternoon and were pleasantly surprised. There was a 20 minute slow moving back-up to get over the bridge, but the ride was uneventful. Once we got within a couple hundred yards of the toll booth, the traffic started moving for us, albeit we have an EZpass. I had heard horror stories from other travelers that the road/bridge was a mess (i.e., heavy traffic and poor road quality) but we didn't find that to be the case.

Just curious, what is the best day/time to travel over the bridge where there isn't so much traffic?

Anyone else have a GW Bridge story to tell?

[mistral blue]

I seem to only remember the bad luck stories about the GWB. Last fall was the worst. Coming back from a wedding in Philly, with our camper of course, we managed to wedge ourselves right into the end of a Jets v. Giants game AND the start of a Yankees playoff game. Needless to say it was a nightmare. It was so slow, we were able to discuss Thanksgiving plans and recipes -- with the toll booth attendant!

Avoid rush hours by a couple of hours if you can and be aware of the local sporting events. 95% of the time I can get across without a problem. The other 5% of the time I just blame on the navigator.

[RIstream'n]

I don't think there is a best time!! Sometimes you go right thru when you don't you will and other times{most times} you're in traffic hell. What's equally fun is 95 thru Conn after the GWB. That's like icing on the cake!!

[rickandsandi]

We have traveled that route for eons! From CT to Maryland 100's of time north and south and I can tell you there is no good time or bad time. We have probably gone over the GWB at any given hour on the clock and I can tell you it is always a roll of the dice! We have gone through at 5:30 on a Friday and had 10 minute backup; we have traveled across at 3:00 AM and had a 55 minute back-up. Just remember when traveling with your trailer stay on the truck lanes and the upper level. It is a $1,000 ticket if you get caught on the lower level!

[Over59]

Try northbound at the end of a 4th July weekend for lots of fun. It's amazing that the road way after the bridge can go from good to awful in weeks. Alot of heavy trucks braking and bouncing really tear it up. There fix it, which is an interesting study in highway traffic management, and it gets turned back to potholes. Nice going through the city. I prefer to jump on the Vinnie Narrows. Then up the expressway. Mostly we go the long way around.
Record wait, 5 hours northbound Monday night of Labor day, 198?.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by Over59

...
Record wait, 5 hours northbound Monday night of Labor day, 198?...

Yikes! Now that's a traffic jam!

[Lumatic]

GWB is my old stomping grounds. I've driven across it, walked across it, biked across it and sailed under it. Underneath the bridge is Riverside Park and(assuming it's still there) an abandoned lighthouse. There is a children's book written about it I believe called "The Little Red Lighthouse".