Driving the Brooklyn Bridge: Directions From Manhattan to DUMBO,Brooklyn Heights

A word to Brooklynites: If you're hosting out-of-towners and either don't own a car (which many Americans from other parts of the US simply won't believe is possible), or are used to taking the subway, here are a few handy routes to show visitors the Brooklyn Bridge from the comfort of a heated car. After all, not everybody wants to walk it, especially when the winter breezes are howling.

Driving the Brooklyn Bridge:
Directions From Manhattan to DUMBO, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, DOWNTOWN BROOKYLN

1. How to Drive Over the Brooklyn Bridge from Ground Zero and Local Streets in Manhattan

From Ground Zero:

• Head toward Vesey Street on 12th Avenue and the West Side Highway.
• Go 0.5 mile: Turn right onto Chambers Street.
• Turn right onto Centre Street.
• Go 1.2 mile: Turn left and take ramp onto Brooklyn Bridge toward Kennedy Airport/La Guardia Airport.
• Go 0.5 mile: Continue on Adams Street, Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard.
• Go 0.3 mile: Turn right onto Joralemon Street.
• Arrive at Joralemon Street
• The trip takes 2.9 miles.

2. How to Drive Over the Brooklyn Bridge from Midtown and Other Areas in Manhattan North of the Brooklyn Bridge

• Take the FDR Drive South (that's the Franklin D Roosevelt Drive, also known as the East River Drive) in the direction of Battery Park.
• Take exit #2, with signs marked as "Brooklyn Bridge /Manhattan Civic Center", on a right side ramp. When you see the sign, it's a good idea to shift into the far right lane as the exit to the Brooklyn Bridge becomes congested. At rush hour there's a long back up of cars exiting onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Follow the signs onto Brooklyn Bridge and beware of merging traffic.
• The ramp will lead you onto the Bridge.
• Go 0.5 mile: Continue on Adams Street arriving in Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights.

3. How to Drive Over the Brooklyn Bridge from the South Street Ferry and Other Areas in Manhattan South of the Brooklyn Bridge

• Take the FDR Drive South (that's the Franklin D Roosevelt Drive) in the direction of Battery Park, and loop around the tip of Manhattan.
• Take exit #2/Brooklyn Br/Manhattan Civic Center toward Brooklyn Bridge. Cross the Bridge.
• Go 0.5 mile: Continue on Adams Street, Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard.
• Go 0.3 mile: Turn right onto Joralemon Street.
• Arrive at Joralemon Street
• The trip is 2.5 miles.

4. How to Get to DUMBO (not Brooklyn Heights or Downtown Brooklyn) When Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge

Non-drivers can easily miss this turn off, which is the first exit off the Brooklyn Bridge, on the right hand side. It's often busy, because this is also the exit for drivers wishing to get on the Belt Parkway. So, here are the directions to DUMBO, once you're driving across the Brooklyn Bridge:

• Exit off the Brooklyn Bridge onto a right hand ramp. Take the right fork of this ramp, onto Cadman Plaza West toward I-278, which is also the Bklyn-Queens Expressway via the Belt Parkway.
• Stay in the right hand lane as you loop around and head downhill; the Brooklyn Bridge looms into sight. Do not go left onto the highway access ramp.
• On the right you will see 1 Front Street, the new home of pizzeria Patsy Grimaldi's.
• To go to the heart of DUMBO, make a sharp right onto Front St.

Finally, due to construction and repair, sometimes traffic over the Brooklyn Bridge is rerouted. If this happens, follow the signs. Usually reroutings occur after midnight.