Getting There By Road

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US freeways and interstates are recognisable by numbers: odd numbers go north-south and even numbers run east-west over their whole length, although at any single, localised point this may seem different. Driving is on the right and the speed limit is 48kph (30mph) in the city and 105kph (65mph) on freeways. The minimum driving age is 16 years. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required and a full national driving licence is accepted. All travellers are strongly advised to acquire supplementary insurance. A yellow ‘non-resident, interstate liability insurance card', which acts as evidence of financial responsibility, is available through motor insurance agents. The American Automobile Association - AAA (tel: (212) 468 2600; www.aaa.com) provides information and roadside assistance to members.

Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357).

Routes to the city
Travel to Manhattan from New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington DC is across the George Washington Bridge or through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. Queensborough Bridge links Manhattan and Queens. The Triborough Bridge leads to upstate New York, while the New England Thruway and Bruckner Expressway lead to New England.

Driving times to the city
From Philadelphia - 2 hours; Boston - 4 hours; Washington DC - 5 hours.

Coach services
The Port Authority Bus Terminal, 628 Eighth Avenue at 40th Street (tel: (212) 564 8484; www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bus/html/pa.html), handles long-distance and regional buses, as well as buses to the airports. Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates bus services that link New York City to points throughout North America.