The cost of your Uber or Lyft trip highly varies depending on traffic conditions, trip distance, and time of day. Generally, taxis charge per minute while idling and per mile when moving. Meanwhile, rideshare apps charge per mile and minute, regardless of whether the vehicle is idling or moving.
As a rule, use Uber or Lyft for longer trips moving at a higher speed. Meanwhile, taxis are the best choice for trips in congested cities like New York.