How Long Does It Take to Get to JFK, LaGuardia & Newark from Manhattan?
Short answer: from Upper East Side, allow 35–90 min to JFK Airport, 15–55 min to LaGuardia Airport, 40–100 min to Newark Airport, 35–85 min to Westchester County Airport and 30–75 min to Teterboro Airport by car. The range is almost all traffic: the same trip can take much longer in weekday rush hour than early in the morning.
When should I leave? Pickup time calculator
Find your pickup time in New York City
Choose where you are leaving from and your flight details. We use the slow end of the typical range and add a buffer.
Drive times from every part of New York City
Typical time in a private car from each area. Choose an airport:
| Pickup area | Early morning / late night | Midday & weekends | Weekday rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
| Upper West Side | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 65–95 min |
| Harlem | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–85 min |
| Midtown East | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
| Midtown West / Times Square | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 65–95 min |
| Chelsea / Flatiron | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 65–95 min |
| SoHo / Tribeca | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
| Financial District | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
JFK Airport: via the Van Wyck Expressway or Belt Parkway. More about JFK Airport car service.
| Pickup area | Early morning / late night | Midday & weekends | Weekday rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | 15–25 min | 25–35 min | 35–55 min |
| Upper West Side | 20–30 min | 30–40 min | 40–60 min |
| Harlem | 15–25 min | 20–30 min | 30–50 min |
| Midtown East | 20–25 min | 25–40 min | 40–60 min |
| Midtown West / Times Square | 25–30 min | 30–45 min | 45–65 min |
| Chelsea / Flatiron | 25–35 min | 35–45 min | 45–70 min |
| SoHo / Tribeca | 30–40 min | 40–50 min | 50–75 min |
| Financial District | 30–40 min | 40–55 min | 55–80 min |
LaGuardia Airport: via the RFK Bridge or Queens-Midtown Tunnel. More about LaGuardia Airport car service.
| Pickup area | Early morning / late night | Midday & weekends | Weekday rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 70–100 min |
| Upper West Side | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
| Harlem | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 70–100 min |
| Midtown East | 35–45 min | 45–60 min | 60–90 min |
| Midtown West / Times Square | 30–40 min | 40–55 min | 55–85 min |
| Chelsea / Flatiron | 30–40 min | 40–55 min | 55–85 min |
| SoHo / Tribeca | 25–35 min | 35–50 min | 50–80 min |
| Financial District | 25–35 min | 35–50 min | 50–80 min |
Newark Airport: through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel. More about Newark Airport car service.
| Pickup area | Early morning / late night | Midday & weekends | Weekday rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | 35–45 min | 40–55 min | 60–85 min |
| Upper West Side | 35–45 min | 40–55 min | 60–85 min |
| Harlem | 30–40 min | 35–50 min | 50–75 min |
| Midtown East | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 70–95 min |
| Midtown West / Times Square | 40–50 min | 50–65 min | 70–95 min |
| Chelsea / Flatiron | 45–55 min | 55–70 min | 75–100 min |
| SoHo / Tribeca | 50–60 min | 60–75 min | 85–110 min |
| Financial District | 50–60 min | 60–75 min | 85–110 min |
Westchester County Airport: via the Hutchinson River Parkway or I-684. More about Westchester County Airport car service.
| Pickup area | Early morning / late night | Midday & weekends | Weekday rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | 30–40 min | 35–50 min | 50–75 min |
| Upper West Side | 20–30 min | 25–40 min | 35–60 min |
| Harlem | 20–30 min | 25–40 min | 35–60 min |
| Midtown East | 25–35 min | 30–45 min | 45–70 min |
| Midtown West / Times Square | 20–30 min | 25–40 min | 35–60 min |
| Chelsea / Flatiron | 25–35 min | 30–45 min | 45–70 min |
| SoHo / Tribeca | 25–35 min | 30–45 min | 45–70 min |
| Financial District | 30–40 min | 35–50 min | 50–75 min |
Teterboro Airport: through the Lincoln Tunnel or over the George Washington Bridge. More about Teterboro Airport car service.
These are typical ranges based on distances, published averages and normal traffic patterns, not guarantees. Weekday rush hour means about 6–10 a.m. and 3–8 p.m. on weekdays. Weather, events and holidays can add more.
How early to get to the airport
Domestic and short-haul flights
- Arrive 2 hours before departure
- Bag drop usually closes 45 minutes before
- Add 30 minutes at peak times
International flights
- Arrive 3 hours before departure
- Check-in often closes 60 minutes before
- Have passports ready in the car
Private jets
- Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before
- Teterboro Airport
Busiest days for Thanksgiving 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Based on TSA checkpoint patterns from recent years:
| Day | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Tue Nov 24 and Wed Nov 25 | Heavy road traffic leaving the city, especially afternoons. Leave early. |
| Thu Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | Usually one of the quietest airport days of the year. |
| Sun Nov 29 | Expected to be the busiest day at airports. Allow extra time for security. |
| Mon Nov 30 | Still very busy with returning travelers. |
Tips for each airport
JFK Airport (JFK)
Most trips from the city go via the Van Wyck Expressway or Belt Parkway. Tell your chauffeur your terminal so they can plan the drop-off.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Most trips from the city go via the RFK Bridge or Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Tell your chauffeur your terminal so they can plan the drop-off.
Newark Airport (EWR)
Most trips from the city go through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel. Tell your chauffeur your terminal so they can plan the drop-off.
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
Most trips from the city go via the Hutchinson River Parkway or I-684. Tell your chauffeur your terminal so they can plan the drop-off.
Teterboro Airport (TEB)
Most trips from the city go through the Lincoln Tunnel or over the George Washington Bridge. Used mainly by private and business jets, so check-in is quick.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Upper East Side to JFK Airport?
Usually 45–60 min by car at midday, and 60–90 min in weekday rush hour. Early in the morning or late at night it can take 35–45 min.
Which airport is quickest to reach from Upper East Side?
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is usually the quickest commercial airport from Upper East Side, at about 25–35 min at midday.
How early should I leave for the airport in New York City?
Plan to reach the airport 2 hours before a domestic or short-haul flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add the drive time for your area and time of day, plus a 15-minute buffer. The calculator on this page does the math for you.
What is the worst time to drive to JFK Airport?
Weekday rush hour, about 6–10 a.m. and 3–8 p.m. on weekdays. Traffic can add a lot of time compared with early morning, so leave earlier at those times.
Can I get a chauffeur to Teterboro Airport?
Yes. Royal Executive Limo arranges chauffeured transfers to and from Teterboro Airport, which mainly handles private and business aviation.
What are the busiest airport days around Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. The Sunday after (November 29) and the Monday after (November 30) are expected to be the busiest days at airports, with heavy road traffic out of the city on the Tuesday and Wednesday before.
Does congestion pricing affect airport rides?
The Manhattan congestion toll applies to vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. Rides leaving Manhattan for the airport do not pay it on the way out.
Let a chauffeur handle the timing
Your chauffeur tracks your flight, plans the route around live traffic and arrives early.
Get a quoteNew York City chauffeur serviceAll airport guides
