Holiday Gridlock Alert Days 2019

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

Gridlock Alert days are when traffic is the busiest, especially in Midtown, especially around the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and further uptown for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The bad news is that Gridlock Alert days are sprinkled through both November and December.

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

Drivers and passengers can expect that travel through Manhattan will take three times as long as a typical day of the week. 

Street Closures around Rockefeller Center

Additionally, the streets around the Rockefeller Center tree are being closed entirely to traffic at peak visiting times, turning them into pedestrian-only walkways.

49th and 50th Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues will be open to pedestrians only during the most congested hours.

• Monday to Thursday – closed to traffic between 2pm and Midnight
• Friday – closed to traffic between 1pm and Midnight
• Saturday and Sunday – closed to traffic 10am to Midnight

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.

• Friday, November 15, 2019
• Wednesday, November 20, 2019
• Wednesday, November 27, 2019
• Friday, December 6, 2019
• Wednesday, December 11, 2019
• Thursday, December 12, 2019
• Friday, December 13, 2019
• Wednesday, December 18, 2019
• Thursday, December 19, 2019
• Friday, December 20, 2019

Car Services

If you must travel by car and need a car service, NYC on the Cheap recommends one of these long-time NYC-based car service companies, which hire only experienced drivers who know where they are going, and there is no surge pricing or other hidden costs

Best NYC Car Services

Additional Gridlock Alert Information

Visit nyc.gov/gridlockalert to learn more.

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

Visit nyc.gov/bikeshare for information on bike share in NYC.

For NYC holiday street closures, visit NYPD Newsroom.

For NYC holiday parking regulations, visit the

NYCOTC 2019 free parking calendar

Parking Outside of Midtown

Driving from Queens or Long Island to Manhattan?

Consider swapping your car for the 7 Train at Citi Field.

Take advantage of low commuter parking rates 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

Images courtesy NYC DOT and MTA