NYC DOT - Truck Routing

The New York City Truck Route Network is a set of roads that commercial vehicles must use in New York City. This network is comprised of two distinct classes of roadways, Local Truck Routes and Through Truck Routes. The network is defined in Section 4-13 (pdf) of the New York City Traffic Rules.

All vehicles defined as a truck (two axles and six tires, or three or more axles) are required to follow the Truck Route Network. Commercial vehicles that do not meet the definition of a truck are not required to follow this network, but must follow all posted signage regarding the operation of commercial vehicles.
Learn about the difference between a truck and a commercial vehicle

Both trucks and commercial vehicles cannot travel on most parkways in New York City.
Read a complete list of parkways where trucks and commercial vehicles are prohibited

Truck Route Map

NYC DOT publishes the New York City Truck Route Map. The map shows Local and Through truck routes for all five boroughs. Request print copies of the Truck Route Map

Local and Through routes

The type of truck route that you must take depends on the origin and destination of your trip.

The Local Truck Route Network is designated for trucks with an origin and destination within a borough. This includes trucks that are traveling to make a delivery, or for loading or servicing. Trucks should only use non-designated routes for the purpose at the beginning or end of a trip, when traveling between their origin/destination and a truck route.

The Through Truck Route Network is primarily composed of major urban arterials and highways and must be used by trucks that have neither an origin or destination within the borough.

For example, a truck trip that starts in Staten Island and ends in Queens would be required to use the Through Route Network while passing through the borough of Brooklyn en route to Queens. If the destination in Queens was not immediately accessible from the Through Truck Route, the driver would then have to travel on the Local Truck Route Network to complete his or her trip. However, a truck going from one end of Queens to the other is permitted to travel on the local truck route network.

Manhattan and Staten Island contain Limited Truck Zones with special time and size restrictions. Please refer to Section 4-08 (pdf) of the New York City Traffic Rules for more information.

Destinations not located on Truck Routes

An operator is allowed to travel on a street that is not a designated truck route for the purpose of arriving at his or her destination.When accessing such a location, the operator must leave a designated truck route at the intersection that is nearest to his/her destination, proceed by the most direct route, and then return to the nearest designated truck route using the most direct route. If the operator has additional destinations in the same general area, he/she may proceed by the most direct route to his/her next destination without returning to a designated truck route, provided that the operator's next destination does not require crossing a designated truck route.

Exceptions

These rules do not apply to authorized emergency vehicles and authorized public utility company vehicles engaged in an emergency operation as defined in Section 114-b (pdf) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Enforcement

Truck drivers must always have on hand a bill of lading, or similar document, showing the points of origin and destination of the trip. Drivers must present for inspection on request of a law enforcement officer or other authorized person. The presence of signage is not required to enforce Truck Route regulations.