Heading to the Hamptons? Know when to leave to cut travel time

Blacklane shares when to escape the city and make the most of your Hamptons summer trip

NEW YORK – MAY 4, 2022 – The secret to beating Hamptons summer traffic is surprisingly simple. According to chauffeur service Blacklane, adjusting your departure by two or three hours saves up to an hour and a half of travel time.

The longest rides when leaving the city occur in the 4:00 p.m. hour on Friday and the 2:00 p.m. hour on Thursday. Both exceed four hours. But, travelers can cut major traffic time by leaving a bit earlier or later.

When to leave for the Hamptons on a Thursday or Friday

Global chauffeur service Blacklane calculated its median driving durations between 2021 Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends for rides that began within New York city limits and ended in East Hampton, Montauk or Southampton. In that time, Blacklane chauffeured thousands of guests each way.

Half of travelers leave on Thursday or Friday

Unsurprisingly, 49% of Hamptons travelers left on Thursday or Friday.

On Thursdays, 56% of travelers left between 12:00 and 2:59 pm or 6:00 and 8:50 pm. In other words, they either left early enough to arrive by dinnertime or late enough to miss rush hour. On Fridays, most travelers arrived early: 77% of Blacklane guests left no later than the 2:00 pm hour.

Beat the crowds to save an hour on the road

Looking across all seven days, afternoon departures took at least three hours from the city to the Hamptons. Late-night and early-morning departures were an hour faster than the longest rides, which occurred between 12:00 and 2:59 p.m.

This early afternoon window was the most popular time for guests to depart during the week, with 27% of rides leaving the city then. Another 26% left between 9:00 and 11:59 a.m. Only 11% fought the afternoon rush hour between 3:00 and 5:59 p.m.

“Hamptons vacations are the ultimate city escape, and leaving at the right time extends your long weekend,” said Jens Wohltorf, Blacklane’s CEO and co-founder. “There’s no better way to begin a Hamptons weekend than in the back of a Blacklane. The chauffeur manages the stress on the road, and you have your personal air-conditioned space to work or unwind.”

Blacklane’s Hamptons service provides premium sedans that accommodate up to three guests and SUVs that hold up to five guests. Blacklane bases its fares on distance only, eliminating add-on costs for traffic and tolls. The company offsets emissions from all rides to give guests a carbon-neutral trip.

About Blacklane (blacklane.com) Blacklane’s global chauffeur service brings peace of mind to travelers moving through a fast-paced world. The crew’s dedication to safety, reliability, and smart technology places Blacklane at the forefront of a new era of stress-free travel. Since 2017, the company has been carbon-neutral, combining a five-star guest experience with care for the planet. Upgrade your travels on Blacklane’s mobile apps or website.