Ditch the car this September. The 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is taking over Midtown Manhattan from September 21 to September 25, 2026, triggering widespread street closures and what the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) officially calls the “slowest time of the year to drive.”
With dozens of world leaders and high-profile delegations descending on the United Nations headquarters, Midtown traffic speeds are expected to plummet to a measly four miles per hour (compared to the usual six miles per hour).
If you’re wondering how to make it from Point A to Point B without ripping your hair out, here’s your complete survival guide to navigating NYC during UNGA week.
NYC Gridlock Alert Days (Sept 21–25)
The NYC DOT has declared the entire duration of the UN General Assembly as official Gridlock Alert Days.
Drivers should expect extensive delays, sudden freezes, and heavy security across Manhattan on the following dates:
- Monday, September 21
- Tuesday, September 22
- Wednesday, September 23
- Thursday, September 24
- Friday, September 25
Complete List of UNGA Street Closures
The following streets and avenues will be closed to general vehicle traffic during the UN General Assembly. (Note: The NYPD may implement additional rolling bypasses and closures as needed).
Avenues & Highways:
- FDR Drive: Between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
- FDR Drive Service Road: Between 48th Street and 49th Street
- 1st Avenue to 3rd Avenue: Area bounded by 60th Street (North) to 34th Street (South)
- 1st Avenue to Madison Avenue: Area bounded by 54th Street (North) to 48th Street (South)
- 5th Avenue: Between East 55th Street and East 50th Street
- 6th Avenue: Between West 50th Street and West 59th Street
- Madison Avenue: Between East 42nd Street and East 58th Street
- Park Avenue: Between East 62nd Street and East 45th Street
- Lexington Avenue: Between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
- Vanderbilt Avenue: Between 42nd Street and 47th Street
- Grand Army Plaza: Between 58th Street and 60th Street; and between East Drive and 5th Avenue
Cross Streets:
- 63rd Street: Between 5th Ave and Madison Ave
- 62nd Street: Between 5th Ave and Park Ave
- 61st Street: Between 5th Ave and Lexington Ave
- 59th Street: Between 7th Ave and 5th Ave
- 58th Street: Between Broadway and Madison Ave
- 57th Street: Between 7th Ave and FDR Drive
- 56th Street: Between 7th Ave and 1st Ave
- 55th Street: Between 7th Ave and 1st Ave
- 54th Street: Between 7th Ave and Madison Ave
- 53rd Street: Between 7th Ave and FDR Drive
- 52nd Street: Between 7th Ave and Madison Ave
- 51st Street: Between 7th Ave and 1st Ave
- 50th Street: Between 7th Ave and FDR Drive
- 49th Street: Between 1st Ave and FDR Drive Service Road
- 48th Street: Between 1st Ave and FDR Drive Service Road
- 47th Street: Between 3rd Ave and Park Ave
- 45th Street: Between Madison Ave and 1st Ave
- 42nd Street: Between 7th Ave and FDR Drive
- 34th Street: Between 7th Ave and FDR Drive
Additional Security & Travel Restrictions
Street closures aren’t the only disruptions hitting the city. The NYPD and federal agencies will put the following transportation and security restrictions in place:
- Rolling Closures: Even on streets not listed above, the NYPD will implement sudden traffic holds for presidential and diplomatic motorcades. A street that looks open on your GPS may still be inaccessible
- Parking Restrictions: Temporary “No Parking / No Standing” zones will blanket Midtown East and delegation routes. Vehicles left in these zones will be ticketed and towed
- Pedestrian Checkpoints: Security perimeters will temporarily restrict sidewalk access and crosswalks around the UN and diplomatic hotels
- Airspace Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions will affect private aircraft, helicopters, and general aviation around Manhattan. (Commercial flights at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark will operate normally)
- Waterway Restrictions: Portions of the East River will face temporary closures for marine motorcades and security sweeps, impacting recreational boaters
How to Get Around NYC During UNGA
The NYC DOT strongly encourages New Yorkers to use the subway, regional rail lines (LIRR, Metro-North, NJ Transit), ferries, or bicycles.
For cyclists commuting up the East Side, the DOT recently completed the permanent First Avenue Tunnel protected bike lane. This jersey barrier-protected express lane allows cyclists to safely bypass the congested intersections directly outside the UN headquarters.
Look Ahead: Remaining 2026 Gridlock Alert Days
UNGA week kicks off the busy season for NYC traffic. Mark your calendars for the remaining Gridlock Alert Days through the end of the year, driven by the holidays and winter tourism:
- November: Wed 11/18, Thu 11/19, Tue 11/24
- December: Wed 12/2, Thu 12/3, Fri 12/4, Tue 12/8, Wed 12/9, Thu 12/10, Fri 12/11, Tue 12/15, Wed 12/16, Thu 12/17, Fri 12/18, Wed 12/23