If they insist on driving, I would recommend leaving no later than 7:00 am. If they go through the Lincoln tunnel there is a self-park garage 2 blocks straight ahead after you get out of the tunnel. That should take a bit over 4 hours as I don't think there would be a ton of traffic -- I have driven up 95 to PA at 7:00 am on a weekday and had no problem with morning traffic and by the time they arrive at the city at 11:00 am there will be no traffic. Coming home, however, would be a big problem unless they left before 3:00 pm (which would not make the trip worth it) or left after say, 7:00 pm (and 7:00 pm still may not be late enough). If they went on a weekend (Saturday) then that would not be an issue.

As an alternative solution, they can take Amtrak to Metropark, NJ (about 3 hours) and park there (large lot, easy parking), and then take the train into NYC. I am guessing it is maybe a 30 minute train ride. They would want to get tickets ahead of time, a lot of Amtrak trains don't stop at metropark so there are less frequent trains there. That would save them the hassle of dealing with a lot of traffic getting out of the city and would cut down on the overall driving time.

If money is a concern, the Bolt bus or similar is really great and about $50/person. I have taken it several times and there are always some cool older people on it who look like they are doing just what your ILs want to do The drive up to NYC wouldn't be too bad - usually about 4 hours from our house in Arlington if traffic is normal and I drive 70 in NJ like everyone else - but the parking could be difficult (and is sure to be expensive) and the drive BACK will be awful because they will be exhausted. The Bolt bus leaves from Arlington and Bethesda, and the Peter Pan in DC is also perfectly fine (much better than the bad old days when I first started taking it - though not as nice as the Bolt). It's sad that trains are so bloody expensive - that would be the most comfortable option.

Driving in NYC is always intense, the week after Christmas is packed with tourists, overnighters and daytrippers like your in-laws.

It is also a mostly boring drive, with a little bit of scenery in northern Maryland, a cool tunnel in Baltimore, but otherwise chemical plants and deathly dull southern new jersey and the scary (for the initiated) Hudson River crossings

OP here. Thanks so much for the advice!

Is there usually a bit of traffic after Christmas in New York city? I'd imagine so. And yes, I think taking the train is the only way to go, but I want my FIL to be fully aware of how painful driving will be.

Anonymous wrote:Op, just as an example with Amtrak:

Assuming they are both senior citizens, they can take a 6:30 am flight from Union station, arriving in NYC Penn Station at 10:00 am. Then depart from Penn station 7:40 pm, arriving back at Union station at 11 pm. The total for this would be $450.50

If they are willing and able to do more extreme hours (like a 4:00 am train or leaving Penn station at 10:42pm), the price could be as low as $285.

The nice thing about the train is they can rest, don't have to stop for bathroom breaks, etc. so even the extreme hours won't be so bad since they can sleep a bit on the train.

Sorry, that should have said train, not flight

Op, just as an example with Amtrak:

Assuming they are both senior citizens, they can take a 6:30 am flight from Union station, arriving in NYC Penn Station at 10:00 am. Then depart from Penn station 7:40 pm, arriving back at Union station at 11 pm. The total for this would be $450.50

If they are willing and able to do more extreme hours (like a 4:00 am train or leaving Penn station at 10:42pm), the price could be as low as $285.

The nice thing about the train is they can rest, don't have to stop for bathroom breaks, etc. so even the extreme hours won't be so bad since they can sleep a bit on the train.

Where are they driving from? We've made the trip from Bethesda to Manhattan many times in four hours or just under, when timing the trip to avoid rush hours. I still wouldn't do it as a day trip, however. Are they aware how much parking will run?

Everything everyone else said--plus driving will be more expensive with just 2 people in the car--considering tolls, parking once in NYC, etc.

How much time they will have in the city itself will depend on what time they leave DC to go there and what time they want to head back.

If they are like a lot of older adults and they want to "sleep in" till 7 am, they will likely arrive in NYC around noon, figure another hour to drive through the city to find parking...then if they want to be home at a reasonable hour (before 10pm) they should plan to leave NYC no later than 4 pm....which gives them about 3 hours in NYC...

On the other hand, if they are more energetic and can wake up at 3 am, and stay out till all hours of the night and still drive safely, they can have a lot more time.

Should take the Acela. Expensive, but a hotel overnight would be a lot. For just a day trip they need less travel time and more there time.

I did it with the train. It was a nce day trip. Would not recommend it by car.

Up and down the same day, and visit NYC? That makes no sense. they won't love driving after this trip! At a minimum, no traffic, it's five hours. Driving in Manhattan, to a parking garage, could take one hour if the city is bottlenecked.

I'd take the train. Much more comfortable than the bus.

Op here. I agree it would be about a million times easier to take the train at least. However they love driving.

I don't think they understand how long it takes to get to New York. And they do not speed.

Would they consider taking the train or the Bolt bus? Would make for an easier trip.

My inlaws have decided to go visit NYC during their 4 day trip to DC this Christmas. I believe they are thinking of driving up and down the same day after Christmas (would have to be the 26th or 27th). Has anyone done this? Is the traffic bad around this time? Also there is no way they would be able to make this trip without stopping at a rest stop at least once. How long would it take and how much time would they have in the City itself?

Thanks in advance!!