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Published: January 30, 2026.
If you’ve ever dragged a suitcase through subway tunnels trying to get from Brooklyn to Manhattan, you know that getting around New York can be an ordeal. I’ve lived in the States for years and I love nothing more than a good road trip, and every visit to the Big Apple reinforces my belief that renting a car isn’t crazy — it’s a life hack. Especially when you pick up your wheels right in new york la guardia ny. LaGuardia (LGA) sits just eight and a half miles from Manhattan, while JFK and Newark are 15–16 miles away. The shorter your trip to the highway, the sooner you’ll be breathing fresh air in the Hudson Valley or sipping wine in the Finger Lakes.
Many travelers default to JFK because it’s big and directly connected to the subway. But if you’re driving, those extra miles don’t help you. LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan and the Upper East Side. During the day it’s about a 30–50‑minute drive to Midtown, compared with 45–70 minutes from JFK and 35–60 minutes from Newark. That shaved‑off time really matters when you’re eager to hit the road.
Since 2022, LGA has had a consolidated Rental Car Center. All the major companies — Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty — share one modern building. The only way to get there is a free shuttle; look for the purple‑and‑white buses marked “Rental Car Center” leaving every five to ten minutes from all terminals. It’s simple: deplane, follow the “Ground Transportation” signs, and a few minutes later you’ve got keys in hand. No AirTrain, no multiple transfers like at JFK.
Another perk: LGA sits at the junction of major highways. You roll right onto the Grand Central Parkway, the Brooklyn‑Queens Expressway or the Triborough Bridge. In other words, you’re on the freeway within minutes instead of creeping through Midtown. Locals swear that if you’re staying north of 34th Street, picking up a rental car at LaGuardia will save you from sitting in traffic.
Public transit is fantastic for hopping around the city, but once you want to get out of town you’ll see why New Yorkers love their cars. Here are a few of my favorite escapes with an LGA car rental:
Hudson Valley and Cold Spring. About 90 minutes from the city, the riverside village of Cold Spring is pure charm. Browse the antique shops on Main Street, then hike the Breakneck Ridge trail for sweeping views of the Hudson. It’s the perfect way to reset without spending hours in the car.
The Catskills. In roughly three hours you’ll be in mountain country. Stay in Roxbury, where dark skies make stargazing spectacular and trails like Vroman’s Nose lead to waterfalls. Fall foliage here is otherworldly.
Finger Lakes. Less than five hours from LGA, this region of eleven glacial lakes is wine‑lover heaven. Tour vineyards and hike through Watkins Glen’s gorge. It’s ideal for long weekends: wine tastings in the morning, hiking in the afternoon and grilling by the lake at night.
The Berkshires and New England. Three hours north you’ll find postcard‑perfect towns in western Massachusetts. Catch a concert at Tanglewood and then swing by the MASS MoCA museum in North Adams. With more time, keep going to Newport, Rhode Island, to stroll the Cliff Walk and explore Gilded Age mansions.
The Poconos, Pennsylvania. If camping is your thing, a two‑hour drive brings you to the Pocono Mountains, with forests, lakes and easy campgrounds. It’s a quick nature fix.
These journeys fit nicely into a weekend and, frankly, they’re impossible without a car. There’s no subway to Breakneck Ridge or bus to a winery. Having your own wheels means you can stop at farm stands, detour to a winery or linger over a diner breakfast without worrying about timetables.
Among New York’s three major airports, LaGuardia is often overlooked. But if your goal is to rent a car and explore, its advantages are clear:
Proximity to the city. LGA is just about 8.5 miles from Manhattan, while JFK and Newark are 15–16 miles away. That’s less time and money in a cab or shuttle.
Faster transfers. Daytime drives from LGA to Midtown take 30–50 minutes; from JFK they’re 45–70 and from Newark 35–60. At night LGA shines — the short distance means fewer jams.
Simpler navigation. At JFK you have to ride the AirTrain to the car rental shuttles; at Newark you have to walk or take another train. At LGA you follow one set of signs and hop on a shuttle that runs every few minutes. You also dodge those nasty bridge and tunnel tolls; taxis from Newark tack on $15–17 just to cross into Manhattan.
Less stress in traffic. Yes, LGA has had construction, but the drive is still less chaotic than crossing Brooklyn to JFK or fighting New Jersey traffic to Newark. If you’re based uptown or in Queens, LaGuardia really shines.
As a road‑trip junkie, New York to me isn’t just skyscrapers — it’s the freedom to swap city noise for rustling leaves with one turn of the wheel. LaGuardia offers an ideal launching pad: closer to the center, streamlined facilities, faster access and fewer headaches. Behind the wheel you set the pace, stop at roadside diners, drop into vineyards or hit the beach on a whim.
If you’re ready to try this style of travel, I recommend rent a car directly at LaGuardia Airport with Drivo. Booking is straightforward, the fleet is varied and prices are fair. I’ve done it myself: I grabbed my keys in under fifteen minutes and was cruising the Grand Central Parkway toward the Hudson soon after. Welcome to the roads of New York and beyond — drive safe and enjoy the journey!
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