Anyone experienced driving from JFK airport out of the city? Heading north towards Rochester - any general advice appreciated
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Driven that way out of central Manhattan. Dead easy, so I can't offer any special tips beyond making sure you're familiar with the numbers/connections of the first couple of roads you need before you hit the freeways.
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I've driven in Manhatten and all over New England. No problems besides being on the wrong side of the road!
You go so slowly you always have time to think.
Be aware of cops just over the crest of hills to catch you speeding!
If you are stopped I think the idea is to stay in the car, and keep your hands in view. You should always carry ID in the States.
If you are making that drive and have a bit of spare time you could go a bit further to Niagara falls, still a distance, but less than Manhatten to Rochester.
cheers
Durelli - son of a famous Italian tyre maker
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People are very, very patient. It's not at all like the M25 area in London. Only downside is the tailgating.
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I don't think you will have a problem, although NYC to Rochester is a fair drive.
Rochester has a big 'ring road' (can't remember what they call it, its quite a few years since I was there) and I found that the locals drive around it quite agressively. If you are going at this time of the year the weather could be quite nasty.
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BTW - don't believe all the stuff about Americans driving very slowly - on the back roads in NY state you will find plenty of folks driving 80+. I drove Rochester to Watertown (its a dump, don't go there) once and didn't go below 70.
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In general I have found American motorists to be quite patient and forgiving - much more tolerant of lost/confused drivers than we are.
Re the comment on tailgating - it does seem to be their way to get very close to you before overtaking. I learnt not to be upset by this as it seems to be standard procedure.
If you are stopped by the police, turn engine off, hands in view and be polite/respectful, then charm them with your English accent!!
And, at a Stop sign you MUST stop (as opposed to Yield where you just need to give way). This is a favourite with traffic cops lurking in the bushes to fill their quota of tickets for the day.
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oh...., and if you get tooted at a traffic light remember you can turn "right on red" if safe to do so. (A rule we would do well to adopt here - except then it would be "left on red" - seconds thoughts, it doesn't quite have the same ring.)
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Signs are very small compared to the UK/Euro norm. That is one thing we do quite well in the UK.
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They have a habit of merging road numbers. You can be on a road that has three different numbers but only one appears on the signs then further along they demerge.
Study the map so that if you miss a turning you can often take another route rather than backtrack off the main highway into nomans land.
On the long legs between cities be prepared to drive off the main road into a nearby town for food, fuel etc.
Keep plenty of cash for road / bridge and tunnel tolls.
Read previous postings on driving in the USA. I will not repeat advice previously posted.
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If you are hiring a car - I believe Hertz (in US) cars all now have Sat Nav which may be useful.
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If you are hiring a car - I believe Hertz (in US) cars all now have Sat Nav which may be useful.
Not exactly correct, only available on certain models from certain locations but JFK is one of them. Need to prebook it to be sure of getting it, then if they don't have it in the model you booked you can insist on a nice free upgrade.
Plus its an extra charge per day, but well worth it in my opinion for when you take a wrong turning as you surely will.
Makes things much more relaxing.
Occasionally you appear to "fall off the map" ie the neverlost as its called gets lost. In my experience this is when you are near a strategically significant location from a US security point of view.
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That does jog my memory now. I was given a car with SatNav though I hadn't booked it, they cheekily asked if I wanted to pay a premium to use the SatNav. As I knew my way around (and it was on company expenses) I declined. Still used it anyway just to see what it could do.
However, I'm sure I read that in the bumpf that Hertz were in the process of installing it in all their cars - though obviously this will take some time.
My advice then, don't request it but if it's in the car they give you, decline the premium and use it anyway;-)
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right on red - not in new york city though!
mike
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OK so he was from Australia but, a friend of mine suggested that instead of staying in the car and waiting for the officer to come to your window, and have him looking down at you at a greater than normal perceived position of authority, it was better to get out of the vehicle and meet him halfway. He reckoned that this worked reasonably well 'down under'. Anyone have any experiences about approaching the police after being pulled instead of waiting for the inevitable?
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OK so he was from Australia but, a friend of mine suggested that instead of staying in the car and waiting for the officer to come to your window, and have him looking down at you at a greater than normal perceived position of authority, it was better to get out of the vehicle and meet him halfway...
I've never been to the USA, never mind driven there, but I seem to remember reading that American police want you to stay in your car with your hands on the wheel. The first because it reassures them that you're not a threat, and the second because it demonstrates that you aren't about to reach for a gun.
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I find that getting out of the car works in the UK (though not had to do it for about 15+yrs!)
In US stay in the car - or risk having a gun pulled on you. However, if you try to get out of the car you will probably receive advice from the officer over his PA.
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Get a taxi to Rochester and hire a car there! You get time to see the locals drive and won't get lost.
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Given the US police (in fact the whole US) propensity to fire first, fire later (who needs questions? He was obviously guilty or we wouldn't have shot him) I would stick with the advice to stay in the car with your hands and those of any passengers clearly visible.
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Ref being stopped by the police in the states
(speaking from one who has been knicked by the Nevada state police)
You DO NOT get out of the car and meet them anywhere. You stay in the car, with BOTH hands on the steering wheel. If the officer wants you out of the car he will say "Please step out of the car sir"
Very good reason for this, its far harder to shoot a copper when you are sitting in a car seat facing forward when he approaches you from behind, thats why he likes you in the car. If you step out uninvited he has lost control and gets very twitchy...........
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Get a taxi to Rochester and hire a car there! You get time to see the locals drive and won't get lost.
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LOL! That would be some expensive taxi ride. I've driven NYC to Rochester and it is at least 250 miles (could be more, but can't be bother to check).
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Rochester, NY is about 330 miles from JFK - about a 5 or 6 hour drive.
Driving in the USA is pretty easy although takes a little getting used to - intersections etc. are easily navigated but often a different layout to what you'd expect in the UK. New York is similar to anywhere else in the USA just with more roads. This time of year you need also to take account of the weather - I flew into JFK on Thursday this week and the driving conditions were really horrible.
If you're going all the way over to Rochester and flying in from the UK I'd get a late afternoon flight over, stay near JFK overnight and pick up a hire car in the morning feeling bright and refreshed and negotiate NY in the light.
If you hire a Hertz premium car it will have SatNav or you can order it on other models. Alternatively you could find a commuter flight to Rochester and get a car there.
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