The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued a travel advisory for the upcoming July Fourth holiday period, expecting a record high of 5.5 million travelers to use its airports, bridges, and tunnels from Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7. This represents an increase compared to both pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and last year.
The agency anticipates over 2.1 million passengers will pass through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart International airports during this period. The busiest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday.
Travelers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time due to higher passenger volumes and ongoing construction projects. Domestic flight passengers should arrive at least two hours before departure, while international travelers should arrive three hours in advance.
Construction at JFK Airport may cause delays or reroutes for motorists and for-hire vehicle services. To mitigate this, the AirTrain JFK single ride fare has been reduced by 50 percent to $4.25 until Labor Day. The Port Authority encourages the use of mass transit options such as the free drop-off and pickup lot at Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain JFK station.
Vehicle traffic is also expected to be heavy with an estimated 3.4 million vehicles crossing the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels during the holiday period.
Several lane closures have been announced:
- George Washington Bridge: North walk closed on July 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Holland Tunnel: New Jersey-bound tube closed from July 5 at 11:59 p.m. to July 6 at 9 a.m., and again from July 7 at 11 p.m. to July 8 at 5:30 a.m.
- Lincoln Tunnel: South tube closed from July 4 at 11 p.m. to July 5 at 5 a.m.
- Bayonne Bridge: Shared use path closed on July 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Goethals Bridge: Shared use path closed on July 4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
At all airports:
- The AirTrain JFK fare reduction continues until September.
- For-hire vehicle pickups at JFK Terminal 4 have been relocated due to construction.
- The JFK Expressway remains closed for access to Terminal 1 with detours in place.
- Changes in taxi stand locations and parking arrangements have been implemented due to redevelopment efforts.
Rental car operations at Newark Liberty International Airport are now consolidated within Parking A garage.
Peak period parking rates are currently in effect across all major airports operated by the Port Authority, urging travelers to pre-book parking spaces or use mass transit options like the fare-free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service.
PATH train services will operate additional trains on Thursday, July Fourth:
- Between Newark-Penn Station and World Trade Center every ten minutes from late afternoon until midnight.
- Between Journal Square, Hoboken, and Midtown Manhattan every ten minutes during peak evening hours.
Travelers using PATH's World Trade Center station overnight should note limited access points due to enhanced cleaning protocols.
For more information on travel advisories, schedules, parking availability, or construction impacts, travelers are encouraged to visit respective official websites or download relevant mobile apps provided by the Port Authority.
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