The short answer is just to plan ahead. Know where you’re going and where to park when you get there. Leave early if you have to be somewhere, but if you can, avoid traffic hours altogether. Getting there and navigating around once there (a challenge when there is suddenly no place to park) is fraught with risk.
61.4 Million Americans Will Be Driving
Fourth of July is going to be a zoo this year, with AAA predicting that 61.4 million Americans will be driving somewhere between June 27 and July 5. Expect the worst on Friday July 3rd from noon to 7 p.m., then again on July 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Things should ease off after 3 p.m. that day.
Heads up: the state has waived construction lane closures on state highways this Fourth of July, from 6 a.m. on Thursday July 2 until 6 a.m. Monday July 6. This doesn’t apply to emergency work or projects happening behind permanent concrete barriers, but it’s a step in the right direction nonetheless. That said, there will still be crowds. There’s never a good time to shut down a major roadway, but here it is: from Monday July 6, the eastbound LIE will be closed between Exits 35 and 39 on weeknights 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for about two weeks. The detour takes you onto the South Service Road.
The state is running an enforcement campaign from June 29 through July 5 targeting impaired driving. Expect sobriety checkpoints and stepped-up patrols for speeding, distracted driving and violations of the Move Over Law. The same campaign last year charged 1,563 people with impaired driving. So stay off your phone, slow down, and watch your blood alcohol level. If you’re thinking of driving impaired this holiday, maybe don’t. Refusing a breath or blood test the first time means your license will be revoked for at least one year. That’s in addition to the $500 civil penalty you’ll have to pay before you can get a new license. It’s not worth the risk.
Permit-required Parking
Getting to your destination isn’t the only challenge during the summer months. Parking is the other big hurdle. Once you arrive in East Hampton Village, for example, permit-required parking goes into effect at beaches like Main, Georgica, Egypt, Wiborg and Two-Mile Hollow between May 15 and September 15. Plate scanners are used to enforce the rule, so it’s best not to risk it.
Day visitors in East Hampton face a couple of challenges. First, you’ll need a $50 a day non-resident permit on the ParkMobile app. You can only park in Main Beach Lot 2 and Two Mile Hollow. Visitors can buy a daily permit Monday-Thursday. Otherwise, it’s up to the Village Beach Manager, and the Fourth is a holiday. Make sure you have a space available before you pay, since there’s no prepay option and no refunds.
If you’re lucky enough to stay for the season, a full-season non-resident permit is $750, and only 3,100 are available. It’s not quite that simple, however, since monthly permits are also available (500 per month) and there is a 6% card fee to process the payment. Applications are online only, and you’ll need your car registration handy. The permit is linked to the license plate, so it’s non-transferable and non-refundable. Before you buy a permit online, make sure you know the difference between East Hampton Town and East Hampton Village permits. There are no refunds, either.
To avoid the inevitable parking headache in Southampton, consider downloading the Passport Parking app. A $40 daily parking fee can be paid per vehicle at Flying Point, Mecox and Sagg Main. The daily parking is only available Monday to Friday, not on holidays. A season permit is $500 for non-residents and is linked to the registration. Just know that it won’t do you any good at Coopers Beach or village and county beaches.
East Hampton also offers an alternative to the parking hunt: a free East Hampton Circuit that runs from within the Village to and from Main Beach. The bus stops at the LIRR station, Jitney stop, Main Street, Main Beach, local hotels and restaurants. Best of all, you can request a ride on its app. It runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. East Hampton Main Beach is the site of fireworks this July 4th. If you’re going, make sure you get there by 8 p.m. The fireworks won’t start until after dark.
If all else fails and you do get a parking ticket, remember to pay it off at the Town of East Hampton Justice Court, or online at parkingticketassist.com/easthampton. Better yet, don’t risk parking illegally this Fourth of July.
