Traveling from Ohio to New York's JFK airport to catch an evening, same-day flight?
I have an international flight that leaves around 8:30pm from JFK on a Saturday. I'm traveling with seven other friends from around the Cleveland/Columbus, Ohio area (haven't decided on which city we will all leave from yet, but that's beside the point). Anyway, my friends are convinced that we could get a rental car that morning on the Saturday and drive all the way to JFK and make it in time for the flight (~8 hours away at least). However, I am very skeptical of this, and I don't believe it is feasible to drive from Ohio to JFK for an evening flight in the same day, especially with factoring traffic, returning the car, and airport security.
Is there any way I should convince my friends that flying from Ohio to JFK would be much smarter, or am I too paranoid about driving in that it should feasible to make the drive and flight on the same day?
Best Answer
Living on the route you'll have to take and having driven to and from Cleveland and Columbus multiple times as well as driven to JFK airport multiple times I can honestly only say this: unless you're desperate for money don't do it!
The drive to PA/NJ border where I am will take you 5-6 hours depending on how good you drive and weather conditions since the drive past Youngstown is basically endless mountains and an accident (not even yours) could strand you for hours in the winter.
Now when it comes to PA/NJ border to JFK the drive under the best conditions is 2.5 hours. Saturday evening around 4-5pm that you will be arriving entry points to Manhattan are gonna get clogged adding at least 30 minutes to your drive so if you need to arrive by 6pm you need to budget at least 10 hours for the driving and car return.
Personally I would have flown and if you had some ample time to buy tickets I would have just bought ticket directly from Cleveland or Columbus.
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How early should I get to JFK airport?
We recommend you arrive to the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure for international flights. Check if your destination has travel restrictions. If your destination requires specific travel documents, remember to bring a completed copy with you to the airport.How many terminals in JFK?
Make your flight connection at JFK easy! There are 6 passenger terminals at JFK. Find the location of your airlines here.Where in New York is JFK airport located?
Location: JFK is located in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City, on Jamaica Bay, fifteen miles by highway from midtown Manhattan. Size: The airport consists of 4,930 acres, including 880 acres in the Central Terminal Area.taking a road trip to ohio *leaving nyc vlog*
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Answer 2
After searching the CLE area, on different days in January and February, I find the Dodge Caravan, which seats 7 with room for 4 large suitcases, is the largest vehicle available for a one-way rental; drop-off at JFK. The price varies from an estimated total of $157 (not incl. gas & mileage) to $357 (not incl. gas).
If this option were chosen, it would make more sense to pick-up by 5:00 PM the day before the flight, take turns driving overnight, and drop-off by 5:00 PM the day of the flight.
[Edit: It will be very cramped but the ordeal will only last about 12 hrs.]
Answer 3
- I recommend to be at he airport at least 2 hours before your flight. Mornings at JFK always crazy.
- You need at least 30 mins to return the car and find the way to your terminal/take airtrain to your terminal.
- You might need to stop to use the bathroom or eat. It's another up to 30 mins. Maybe even twice.
- To be save you gotta add around 2 hours in case of car accidents/traffic on the road.
So add 5 hours to your 8 hours if you still wanna drive. I'd rather be at JFK 1-3 hours earlier than 30 mins before my flight running like a chicken without a head.
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