Car Rental New York State

Located in the north-east of the US, New York is an extremely well connected state. Collect your rental car in New York and you’ll find a range of road networks linking the city to other destinations. Bordering Ontario and Quebec to the north and Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the south, the opportunities for exploration from New York  are endless.

Key routes include I-95, which runs from New York City along towards Connecticut and in the other direction towards Philadelphia. Meanwhile, I-87 extends from New York City to the state capital Albany in the Hudson River Valley, before continuing north towards the Canadian border.

From Albany, you can find access to the city of Syracuse, around 230km west via I-90. You can also follow this route to Buffalo on the shores of Lake Erie, an ideal base for exploring the natural wonder that is Niagara Falls. I-90 then continues along the southern shore towards Cleveland, Ohio.

As well as delving into the big city way of life, there are also many scenic drives around New York, including the route from Portageville to Leicester, known as the River Road, which follows the path of the Genesee River past Letchworth State Park.  Follow State Route 10 from Walton to Deposit, where you can enjoy outstanding views of the Catskill Mountains.

Most roads around the state are quiet and well-maintained, making for a relaxing driving experience. The roads in and around New York City are busy so allow plenty of time for your journey and try to plan around rush hour periods. As the main center for business and tourism, Manhattan is the busiest borough, but you will find other areas such as Long Island much more peaceful. There are strict regulations around on-street parking in New York City, so follow the posted regulations closely to avoid a ticket.

Road rules in New York are broadly similar to the rest of the US. You’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road and will have to keep an eye on speed limit signs throughout your journey. Some highways in New York will have speed limits of 65 mph (105 km/h), although most will be 55 mph (88 km/h). It’s important to note that on highways, there is a minimum speed limit of 45 mph (72 km/h).

In New York City, it’s also worth remembering that unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit is just 25 mph (40 km/h).

The bustling metropolis of New York City might be the most famous destination in this state, but with a rental car in New York, you’ll have the freedom to explore everything from scenic countryside to Niagara Falls and Lake Erie.

The Big Apple

There’s so much to see and do in New York City that it’s impossible to fit it all in to a single stay. Rent a car in New York and you’ll be able to see all five boroughs, from the hip neighbourhoods of Brooklyn to the beautiful beaches of Long Island.

No visit is complete without seeing the city’s most prominent landmarks, situated in Manhattan. Take the elevator up to the observation deck on the 86^th floor of the Empire State Building, visit the poignant 9/11 National Museum and Memorial, walk through the iconic Central Park or catch a musical on Broadway. The options are endless – this is the city that never sleeps - and you’ll never be short of things to see and do.

Capital culture

The capital of New York is Albany, around 240km north of NYC. It’s home to the magnificent State Capitol Building, built between 1867 and 1899. Free tours are available from Monday through Saturday, with highlights including the Senate Chamber and the Million Dollar Staircase, which took 14 years to complete and cost – you guessed it – one million dollars.

Other attractions not to be missed include the New York State Museum, home to a fascinating collection of artefacts exploring the social, cultural and artistic legacy of the state. Nearby, you’ll find the Albany Institute of History and Art, one of the oldest museums in the US, where you can learn all about what life was once like in the Upper Hudson Valley.

Upstate New York

Head north and you’ll find Rochester, a lively city on the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s home to attractions including the George Eastman Museum, the oldest collection of photography in the world, as well as the Rochester City Ballet and the Strasenburgh Planetarium. Once you’ve explored all the cultural highlights, be sure to visit Highland Park, a beautiful landscape that takes in 150 acres of hills and valleys.

Just a short drive away lies Syracuse, which hosts the Great New York State Fair every summer. There’s plenty to see and do here, including the Erie Canal Museum and Everson Museum of Art.

Natural wonder

For stunning architecture and historic attraction, the city of Buffalo doesn’t disappoint. Visit the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and take in some world class art at the Albright-Knox gallery, before sampling some classic American food – this is the home of Buffalo wings, after all. Lake Erie and several beautiful beaches are also within easy driving distance. 

With New York car rental you’ll also able to take the short drive from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. You can admire the staggering spectacle of the falls from the surrounding state park or even head out to the observation tower at Prospect Point for spectacular vistas of all three cascades together.

When you rent a car in New York, you’ll be able to enjoy all this and more during your stay.