The TCS New York City Marathon, held on the first Sunday of November, runs 26.2 miles through all five boroughs — from Staten Island across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, finishing in Central Park. With tens of thousands of runners and around a million spectators, it closes major roads and bridges for much of the day. If you have a flight or plans that day, plan routes that avoid the course, allow extra time, and expect crossing restrictions.

The course and key closures

Section Roads affected (examples)
Staten Island & Verrazzano Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge closed to traffic in the morning
Brooklyn Fourth Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, Bedford Avenue, Pulaski Bridge
Queens Vernon Boulevard area, Queensboro Bridge
Manhattan (East Side) First Avenue northbound
Bronx Willis Avenue Bridge, streets around the Bronx loop
Manhattan (finish) Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Central Park South

Exact closures and timings are published by the city in the days before the race.

Airport trips on Marathon Sunday

  • From Manhattan to JFK or LaGuardia: routes that cross First Avenue or the Queensboro Bridge are affected; tunnels and the RFK Bridge may be better options.
  • From New Jersey to JFK: the Verrazzano is closed in the morning; plan an alternative route.
  • Allow extra time throughout the day.

For runners and spectators

Runners travel to the start in Staten Island very early by ferry, bus or official transport. Spectators should use the subway where possible. Families meeting runners should agree on a meeting point outside the finish area — car pickups near Central Park are very difficult.

How a chauffeur helps

Experienced dispatchers plan around the course and timing. Share your schedule when booking. Read NYC traffic by hour and how chauffeurs plan routes.