Belt Parkway
The Belt Parkway is a major component of New York City’s parkway system, encircling the southern edges of Brooklyn and Queens. Stretching about 25 miles, it connects to multiple bridges, expressways, and other parkways, making it a crucial route for drivers entering and leaving Long Island. While originally designed as a scenic waterfront drive, the Belt Parkway today is one of the busiest commuter roadways in the region, carrying millions of vehicles each year.
History
- Origins: Planned in the 1930s under the direction of Robert Moses, the Belt Parkway was designed to complete a ring of parkways around Brooklyn and Queens.
- Construction: Built between 1934 and 1940, the parkway was part of a larger effort to expand automobile access throughout New York City.
- Opening: Officially opened in 1940, the Belt Parkway quickly became a preferred route for motorists traveling between Long Island and the outer boroughs.
- Purpose: Like other parkways, it was built for passenger vehicles only, banning trucks and commercial traffic to preserve traffic flow and scenic appeal.
Route and Significance
- Western Terminus: Begins at the Gowanus Expressway (I-278) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
- Eastern Terminus: Ends at the Southern State Parkway near the Queens–Nassau border.
- Length: Approximately 25 miles.
- Restrictions: Trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles are prohibited.
The Belt Parkway forms the backbone of southern Brooklyn and Queens travel, offering connections to:
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge – direct route to Staten Island and New Jersey.
- Cross Island Parkway – connects to the Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges, leading to the Bronx and New England.
- Southern State Parkway – gateway to Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island.
- JFK Airport – primary access for travelers arriving or departing from the airport.
Belt Parkway Exit List (West to East)
| Exit | Destinations / Notes |
|---|---|
| I-278 (Exit 0) | Western terminus – Gowanus Expressway (BQE) west / Brooklyn–Queens Expressway |
| 1 | 65th–67th Streets (Bay Ridge) |
| 2 | 4th Avenue / Fort Hamilton Parkway |
| 3 | Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge west (I-278 toll to Staten Island) |
| 4 | Bay 8th Street / 14th Avenue |
| 5 | Bay Parkway |
| 6S / 6N | Cropsey Avenue South / Stillwell Avenue (Cropsey Avenue North) |
| 7A / 7B | Shell Road (7A, westbound exit/EB entrance) / Ocean Parkway (7B, WB signage) |
| 8 | Coney Island Avenue |
| 9 / 9A / 9B | Knapp Street (Sheepshead Bay): westbound (9), eastbound 9A (SB), 9B (NB) |
| 11S / 11N | Flatbush Avenue (south / north) |
| 13 | Rockaway Parkway (Canarsie) |
| 14 | Pennsylvania Avenue |
| 15 | Erskine Street (Gateway Center) |
| 17N / 17S / 17W | Cross Bay Boulevard (17N north / 17S south) / North Conduit Avenue (17W) |
| 18B | Lefferts Boulevard (Aqueduct Racetrack) |
| 19 | Nassau Expressway (NY 878) / I-678 (Van Wyck Expressway) north – JFK Airport access (eastbound only) |
| 20 | JFK Expressway South – JFK Airport (WB exit / EB entrance) |
| 21A / 21B | Rockaway Boulevard (21A) / Farmers Boulevard & Guy R. Brewer Boulevard (21B) |
| 22 | Springfield Boulevard |
| 23A / 23B | North Conduit Avenue / 225th Street (23A, WB only); Sunrise Highway (NY 27 East) / Brookville Boulevard (23B, EB only) |
| 24A / 24B | Merrick Boulevard / Francis Lewis Boulevard (24A); Merrick Boulevard / 130th Avenue (24B) |
| 25A / 25B | Southern State Parkway east (25A, NB exit / SB entrance); Elmont Road / Linden Boulevard (25B, NB only) |
| Continuation | At southern terminus of Cross Island Parkway north – Belt Parkway ends |
Notable Facts
- Originally conceived as a scenic waterfront drive with pedestrian paths and recreation areas.
- Provides one of the main routes to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- Often experiences heavy congestion, especially near JFK and major interchanges.
- Still considered one of the most scenic urban drives in New York City, with stretches along Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic shoreline.
Area Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1940 |
| Length | ~25 miles |
| Western Terminus | Gowanus Expressway (I-278) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn |
| Eastern Terminus | Southern State Parkway at Queens–Nassau border |
| Restrictions | No trucks or buses |
| Primary Use | Passenger vehicles linking Long Island, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and JFK Airport |
The Belt Parkway remains a cornerstone of travel in southern Brooklyn and Queens, connecting Long Island with Manhattan, Staten Island, and beyond. Though often congested, it continues to serve as one of the busiest and most important corridors in the metropolitan area. For Long Island drivers, it provides a direct link not only to JFK Airport but also to the bridges and highways that lead to New Jersey, upstate New York, and New England, ensuring its role as a vital artery in New York City’s transportation network.
