The One-Line Answer
Which Tunnel Should You Take?
Going to Lower Manhattan, SoHo, Tribeca, or the Financial District? Take the Holland Tunnel. Going to Midtown, Times Square, MSG, Broadway, or the Theater District? Take the Lincoln Tunnel. It’s that simple.
Reserve Your Parking FirstThe Holland Tunnel vs. Lincoln Tunnel debate is one of the first decisions every driver makes coming from New Jersey — and most people just pick one out of habit without knowing if it’s right for where they’re going. Choosing wrong can add 20–40 minutes before you even find parking.
Where Each Tunnel Drops You
| Tunnel | Manhattan Exit | Best For | Worst For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Tunnel | Canal Street, Lower Manhattan | Tribeca, SoHo, Financial District, Lower East Side | Midtown — long drive north through traffic |
| Lincoln Tunnel | 38th Street, Midtown | Times Square, MSG, Broadway, Theater District, Penn Station | Lower Manhattan — long drive south through traffic |
This is the entire decision. Where does your tunnel drop you, and how far is that from where you’re going? Everything else — wait times, tolls — is secondary to starting in the right place.
The Holland Tunnel: What You Need to Know
Connects Jersey City, NJ to Canal Street in Lower Manhattan. Opened in 1927, runs under the Hudson River.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Manhattan exit | Canal Street at Varick Street |
| Best neighborhoods | Tribeca, SoHo, Financial District, Chinatown, Lower East Side |
| Drive to Midtown after exit | 20–40 minutes in traffic |
| Toll (E-ZPass) | Included in congestion pricing zone entry |
| Tunnel crossing credit | Up to $3 credit applied to congestion pricing toll |
| Peak congestion | Weekday mornings into NYC, evenings out |
When to Take the Holland Tunnel
- Your destination is below 23rd Street
- Heading to the Financial District, Wall Street, or the World Trade Center area
- Going to Tribeca, SoHo, or the West Village
- Heading to Brooklyn via the Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge
- Weekend brunch or dinner in Lower Manhattan
When NOT to Take the Holland Tunnel
- Your destination is in Midtown — you’ll crawl north for 20–40 minutes
- Going to MSG, Times Square, or the Theater District
- Trying to get to the Upper East Side or Upper West Side
- Weekday morning and you need to be above 14th Street quickly
Holland Tunnel Parking After You Exit
Canal Street drops you into one of the more manageable parking zones in Manhattan — Tribeca, SoHo, and Hudson Square have garages significantly cheaper than Midtown. Full guide: Parking in Lower Manhattan and Parking Near the Financial District.
Pre-Book Lower Manhattan ParkingThe Lincoln Tunnel: What You Need to Know
Connects Weehawken, NJ to 38th Street in Midtown Manhattan — the busiest vehicle tunnel in the world by traffic volume, and the most convenient entry point for the most common visitor destinations.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Manhattan exit | 38th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues |
| Best neighborhoods | Midtown, Times Square, MSG, Broadway, Penn Station, Hudson Yards |
| Drive to Lower Manhattan after exit | 25–40 minutes in traffic |
| Toll (E-ZPass) | Included in congestion pricing zone entry |
| Tunnel crossing credit | Up to $3 credit applied to congestion pricing toll |
| Peak congestion | NJ approach on Route 3 backs up significantly |
When to Take the Lincoln Tunnel
- Your destination is in Midtown — 34th to 59th Street
- Going to Madison Square Garden for a game or concert
- Going to a Broadway show in the Theater District
- Heading to Times Square, Penn Station, or Hudson Yards
- Taking NJ Transit in and connecting at Penn Station
When NOT to Take the Lincoln Tunnel
- Your destination is below Canal Street — you’ll fight Midtown traffic going south
- Going to the Financial District or Brooklyn
- Weekday rush hour and you’re not in a hurry — the NJ approach can back up for miles
Lincoln Tunnel Parking After You Exit
The 38th Street exit drops you directly into the Theater District and Midtown West parking zone — the most expensive parking in the city. Pre-booking is essential. For the full breakdown on Midtown parking near this exit, see Parking Near Broadway and Parking Near Times Square.
Pre-Book Midtown ParkingCongestion Pricing: Both Tunnels Are in the Zone
Both tunnels enter Manhattan below 60th Street, subject to NYC’s congestion pricing toll — $9.00 during peak hours for E-ZPass holders.
Wait Times: Which Tunnel Is Faster?
| Time | Holland Tunnel | Lincoln Tunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday morning (7–10am) into NYC | Moderate — backs up at Canal St exit | Heavy — NJ approach on Rte 3 backs up badly |
| Weekday evening (4–7pm) out of NYC | Heavy — Canal St approach jams | Very heavy — most used tunnel outbound |
| Weekend daytime | Lighter — less commuter traffic | Moderate — visitor traffic to Midtown |
| Weekend evening | Moderate | Heavier — post-show and post-game traffic |
| Early morning (before 7am) | Light | Light |
The honest answer: neither tunnel is reliably faster than the other. The Lincoln Tunnel carries more daily traffic but has three tubes; the Holland Tunnel has two. Use Waze in real time to check approach wait times before committing to a route.
The George Washington Bridge: The Third Option
If your destination is above 96th Street — Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Harlem, or the Bronx — neither tunnel is right. The GWB enters Manhattan at 178th Street and is the fastest route for upper Manhattan. It doesn’t enter the congestion pricing zone directly, though driving south of 60th St. after crossing brings it into the zone.
Quick Decision Guide
| Your Destination | Take This |
|---|---|
| Financial District / Wall Street | Holland Tunnel |
| Tribeca / SoHo / West Village | Holland Tunnel |
| Lower East Side / Chinatown | Holland Tunnel |
| Chelsea / Flatiron (23rd–34th St) | Either — Holland slightly better |
| Madison Square Garden | Lincoln Tunnel — MSG parking guide |
| Times Square / Theater District | Lincoln Tunnel — Broadway parking guide |
| Midtown (34th–59th St) | Lincoln Tunnel |
| Central Park area | Lincoln Tunnel — Central Park parking guide |
| Upper West / Upper East Side | Lincoln Tunnel or GWB |
| Washington Heights / Bronx | George Washington Bridge |
| Brooklyn (via Manhattan) | Holland Tunnel |
Bottom Line
Pick Your Garage First, Then Your Tunnel
The tunnel decision and the parking decision go together — know where you’re parking before you choose your tunnel, since your garage location determines which one gets you there fastest.
Reserve Your GarageFor everything on parking once you’re through the tunnel — costs, garages, signs, apps, and fighting a ticket — start with our complete guide to parking in New York City.
Tunnel wait times, toll rates, and congestion pricing rules change. Always check current conditions on Waze and verify toll rates at mta.info before your trip.
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