Sign up for New York Thruway’s EZ Pass to enter and exit through the toll booths quickly. All of the thruway exits have at least one separate toll booth for EZ Pass holders. This allows you to stop for a much shorter time while going through the toll booth. There is no need dig out change to give to the toll booth operator. You just slow down, wait a short couple of seconds until the light turns green and you’re off again. The sensor picks up your tag number and charges the appropriate amount of money to your account.
Know the law. Not all state roads are the same and not all state laws are the same. In New York State, it is the law to wear a seat belt. It is also the law to have your front lights on if the weather is overcast. It is also the law for children of age seven and under to be in a child restraint seat. Make sure you are not talking on your phone while driving this is also against the law in New York. Pull over to the side of the road to make a call.
Find the nearest exit to where you are and drive up to the toll booth. After you pass through the toll booth decide if your destination is west or east and take the designated ramp to enter on to the New York State Thruway.
Tune in to the Thruway Authority Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) system for up to date thruway road conditions. The radio station number that hosts the HAR system changes as you travel the thruway. You can find the station numbers and their territory on the link below or through highway signs on the thruway.
Be aware that the New York State Thruway has twenty seven travel plazas located throughout the thruway. Get a list of them through the link below to know where you can stop along your way. All twenty seven of them offer free wireless Internet service (Wi-Fi) access. They also offer amenities such as food, restrooms, gift shop, maps and gas station. Be aware also that the prices will be a bit higher than the average store.
