New York City, NY Traffic Cameras: 3000+ Live Cams

For comprehensive New York State details, see our complete New York State cameras section.

Manhattan's Most Important Traffic Cameras

Midtown Manhattan Crossings

Times Square (42nd & 7th Avenue) serves as a bellwether for Midtown congestion. When this intersection shows heavy traffic, expect delays throughout the core business district. The camera captures both north-south Broadway traffic and east-west crosstown movement, making it essential for gauging overall Midtown conditions.

Lincoln Tunnel Approaches (W 39th-42nd Streets) are crucial for commuters from New Jersey. These cameras show the infamous tunnel approach backup that can extend 20+ blocks during morning rush hour. Checking these views before committing to the tunnel can help you decide whether to divert to the George Washington Bridge or Holland Tunnel.

FDR Drive at 34th Street provides the key gauge for north-south Manhattan traffic. This section sees converging traffic from the Queens Midtown Tunnel, local Midtown exits, and through traffic to Upper Manhattan. Morning southbound and evening northbound congestion here indicates broader FDR delays.

Park Avenue at 59th Street marks the gateway to the Upper East Side and handles traffic from the Queensboro Bridge. This intersection reveals whether Midtown traffic is spilling into the Upper East Side, helping you decide on routing through Central Park or along the FDR.

Bridge and Tunnel Cameras

The George Washington Bridge upper level approach camera is perhaps the single most important traffic view in the New York metro area. Recognized as the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge, it handles between 275,000 and 300,000 vehicles daily—totaling over 100 million vehicles annually according to Port Authority and NYSDOT reports. This bridge experiences some of the worst congestion in the country, and the approach camera shows backup extent, helping you decide between the GWB, Lincoln Tunnel, or alternate routes through upstate.

Brooklyn Bridge cameras from the Manhattan side reveal the infamous Brooklyn-bound backup that can extend down to the Financial District during evening rush. These views are also crucial for monitoring pedestrian bridge access, popular with tourists and commuters alike.

The Queens Midtown Tunnel approach cameras show the decision point for Long Island commuters: pay the tunnel toll or brave the free Queensboro Bridge alternative. During heavy traffic, the tunnel backup extends to Second Avenue, while the bridge approach on 59th Street can be equally congested.

Williamsburg Bridge cameras capture the notorious Brooklyn-side bottleneck where the bridge funnels into narrow Williamsburg streets. Morning Manhattan-bound traffic and evening Brooklyn-bound congestion make these essential views for anyone crossing between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll plaza cameras show the full extent of Staten Island rush hour backup. During peak times, delays can extend miles into Staten Island, making these cameras essential for SI residents planning their commute timing.

Outer Borough Essential Views

BQE at Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn) is perpetually congested and serves as a critical decision point. This junction handles traffic from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Atlantic Avenue, and connections to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. When this camera shows red, expect cascading delays throughout Brooklyn's highway system.

Grand Central Parkway at LaGuardia is essential for airport travelers and Queens commuters. This section sees converging traffic from the Triborough Bridge, local LaGuardia access, and through traffic to eastern Queens. The camera reveals whether airport access is clear or if you should allow extra time. Users can also monitor live street feeds along Flatbush Avenue and Northern Boulevard to check for road-level gridlock near major retail hubs or arena events.

Cross Bronx Expressway at Jerome Avenue monitors what many call "the most hated highway in America." This perpetually congested stretch handles through traffic across the Bronx, connections to the Major Deegan, and serves as the key east-west route through the borough. Check this camera before any Bronx crossing to gauge whether alternate routes through local streets might be faster.

Belt Parkway at Coney Island shows the critical Southern Brooklyn junction where the Belt curves from east-west to north-south. This section handles beach traffic in summer, commuter traffic year-round, and serves as the main route to the Verrazano Bridge. Backup here indicates broader Belt Parkway congestion.

Strategic Intersection Cameras

Beyond major crossings, certain intersections serve as key indicators for neighborhood traffic patterns:

Houston Street at FDR Drive marks the transition from Lower Manhattan to Midtown and handles traffic from the Williamsburg Bridge. This camera shows whether FDR drive-on ramps are backing up, indicating broader southbound FDR congestion.

34th Street at 11th Avenue (Hudson Yards) monitors the western edge of Midtown and approaches to the Lincoln Tunnel. This relatively new development area sees heavy traffic from both the tunnel and local Hudson Yards destinations.

Northern Boulevard at Queens Boulevard is the key Queens intersection connecting multiple major routes. This camera reveals congestion spreading between the LIE, Queens Boulevard, and local Northern Boulevard traffic.

Flatbush Avenue at Grand Army Plaza (Brooklyn) serves as the gateway to Prospect Park and handles traffic from multiple Brooklyn neighborhoods. This camera shows whether traffic is backing up into Park Slope, Fort Greene, or deeper into Brooklyn.

When to Check Each Camera

Different cameras matter at different times. Morning rush requires monitoring inbound bridge and tunnel approaches, while evening rush shifts focus to outbound views. Weekend traffic patterns change entirely, with recreational traffic to beaches, parks, and attractions dominating camera views.

During special events, expand your monitoring: Yankees games require cameras near the Major Deegan, Madison Square Garden events need Midtown views, and concerts at Barclays Center affect Brooklyn bridge approaches.

Using NYC Traffic Cameras Strategically

Understanding cascading congestion patterns amplifies the value of key camera views. George Washington Bridge backup doesn't just affect the bridge—it cascades down the Cross Bronx Expressway and backs up the Major Deegan. Queens Midtown Tunnel congestion spills onto the FDR and diverts traffic to the Queensboro Bridge.

Timing crossings effectively requires checking cameras 15-30 minutes before departure. Bridge and tunnel backup patterns can change rapidly, and what looks clear at 8:00 AM might be gridlocked by 8:30 AM. The cameras provide real-time decision-making power that static congestion maps can't match.

Weather impact dramatically affects which cameras matter most. Rain makes highway cameras critical as speeds drop and accidents increase. Snow shifts focus to bridge surface condition cameras. Heavy wind requires checking bridge cameras to monitor whether crossings remain open.

About the Platform

TrafficVision.Live provides free access to over 3,000 live traffic cameras across the NYC metro area, covering all five boroughs, every major bridge and tunnel, highways, parkways, and key intersections. This comprehensive coverage is part of our network of 135,000+ live camera feeds from 600+ sources worldwide.

The platform features an interactive map view for geographic browsing, grid view for rapid scanning, custom route building with automatic camera identification, and favorites system for instant access to your most important camera views. All cameras update in real-time with the latest available images.

Related guides:

• NYC Traffic Cameras — Complete NYC camera coverage
• New York State Traffic Cameras — Statewide camera network
• How to Check Traffic Before Your Commute — Strategic camera usage