Every year, the NYC Dept. of Transportation (DOT) issues its list of holiday gridlock alert days.

The bad news is that the worst holiday gridlock alert days are this week.

The good news is NYC subways run 24/7, and always faster, cheaper and less frustrating than sitting in gridlock traffic.

More good news is special discounts for bike-sharing and parking outside Manhattan to encourage you to stay out of gridlock.

This information is from 2018

Click here for 2019 Gridlock Alert Days

NYC Gridlock Alert Days discounts

Bike Share

Citi Bike is New York City’s bike share system, providing 12,000 bikes at 750 stations in 60 neighborhoods.

To help you navigate the city streets quickly and get your shopping done without the hassle of gridlock, Citi Bike is offering 25% off its popular 3 Day Pass in the Citi Bike app.

Use Promo Code “GRIDLOCK” from December 12-21.

For $18, riders can take unlimited 30-minute rides over a 3 day period.

Parking Outside of Midtown

Driving from Queens or Long Island to Manhattan? Consider swapping your car for the 7 Train at Citi Field.

NYC partners at the New York Mets are offering $5 commuter rate parking at Citi Field on weekdays.

The entrance to the lot is located on Roosevelt Avenue between 126th Street and Shea Road.

Visit the Driving & Parking page on mlb.com/mets for more information.

Ride Sharing

Whenever a vehicle trip is essential, we recommend sharing a Via ride to help reduce congestion by cutting down single-occupancy trips.

Via’s powerful technology effectively matches riders going in the same direction to create affordable shared rides, and dynamically routes vehicles in real time to avoid traffic.

Via is providing 10% off all shared rides for those who use the promo code GRIDLOCK2018 on Gridlock Alert Days: December 19-21.

Via is also doubling their referral bonus ($20 for both sides) during these days for users with the GRIDLOCK2018 promo code. *Offer may not be combined with other discounts

NYC Holiday Gridlock Alert Days

Select days in November and December are designated Gridlock Alert Days, as traffic volumes increase with holiday shopping and travel, as well as special event street closures.

Drivers can expect that travel through Midtown will take twice as long as a typical day of the week. 

Expect that the closer you get to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, the worse gridlock will be. 

That means anything between 59th St. and 42nd St., between Madison and Park Aves., will be super gridlock.  Just ask any MTA bus driver.

• Wednesday, December 12, 2018
• Thursday, December 13, 2018
• Friday, December 14, 2018

• Wednesday, December 19, 2018
• Thursday, December 20, 2018
• Friday, December 21, 2018

For NYC holiday street closures, visit NYPD Newsroom.

For NYC holiday parking regulations, visit the

NYCOTC 2018 parking calendar

Alternatives & Incentives 

Public Transportation

Public transportation is widely available and an ideal way to travel on Gridlock Alert Days – and every day. 

Visit mta.info to check the service status of subways, buses, Metro North Railroad and Long Island Railroad.

The new MYmta app and website is a great resource for personalized trip planning and real-time service information.

Bike Share

Citi Bike is New York City’s bike share system, providing 12,000 bikes at 750 stations in 60 neighborhoods.

To help you navigate the city streets quickly and get your shopping done without the hassle of gridlock, Citi Bike is offering 25% off our popular 3 Day Pass in the Citi Bike app from November 21-28 and December 12-21! For only $18, you will be able to take unlimited 30-minute rides over a 3 day period.

Parking Outside of Midtown

Driving from Queens or Long Island to Manhattan? Consider swapping your car for the 7 Train at Citi Field. NYC DOT partners at the New York Mets are offering $5 commuter rate parking at Citi Field on weekdays.

The entrance to the lot is located on Roosevelt Avenue between 126th Street and Shea Road. Visit the Driving & Parking page on mlb.com/mets for more information.