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As of January 5, 2026, new JFK roadway patterns have changed how drivers approach Terminals 1 and 4 from the east. This guide explains the updated routing, construction detours, and why a vetted chauffeur who knows these changes makes a measurable difference.
The ongoing construction for JFK’s New Terminal One (NTO)—the largest single terminal in North America—has triggered significant roadway changes at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Starting January 5, 2026, drivers approaching from the east (Long Island, Belt Parkway, JFK Expressway) now follow modified routes to reach both Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. If you’re booking a JFK car service or driving yourself, understanding these changes can save you 15–30 minutes of confusion and missed turns.
A side-by-side comparison of the old and new approach patterns from the eastern side of JFK.
Drivers coming from the Belt Parkway or JFK Expressway direction entered the airport’s central roadway system and followed clearly marked terminal signs. The road split allowed direct left-lane access to Terminal 1 and straight-ahead routing to Terminal 4 with minimal construction barriers.
Construction for the New Terminal One has expanded into active roadway space, requiring new approach patterns. The eastern approach now funnels through a modified road configuration with temporary barriers, reduced lanes, and updated signage that differs from what GPS apps may show.
JFK’s New Terminal One is a 2.4-million-square-foot facility replacing the aging Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Phase A, opening June 2026 with 14 widebody gates, requires massive construction staging areas that now overlap with the eastern airport access roads. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) phased these roadway changes to maintain traffic flow while giving contractors space for steel erection, facade installation, and airfield-side paving.
The January 5 date was chosen specifically because it falls after the holiday travel surge—giving drivers a lower-traffic period to adapt before spring/summer peak volumes return. Learn more about the full scope in our JFK Construction Season Guide.
How to reach Terminal 1 during the New Terminal One construction phase.
Terminal 1 continues to operate as usual for arriving and departing passengers, even as the New Terminal One is built around it. The existing Terminal 1 handles airlines including Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines (among others). These airlines will eventually transition to the New Terminal One once Phase A opens in June 2026.
Terminal 4 (Delta’s hub for international arrivals) sees modified road access from the eastern approach.
Upper-level departures access is less affected by construction. Follow signs to “Departures / Upper Level” once you reach the Terminal 4 approach. The upper roadway remains largely unchanged.
Ground-level arrivals pickup sees more impact from the roadway changes. The approach road to the arrivals/pickup area now routes through a temporary lane configuration. Add 5–10 minutes for first-time navigation.
Drivers coming from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens via the Van Wyck Expressway or Grand Central Parkway see fewer disruptions.
Professional Manhattan car service drivers typically approach JFK via the Van Wyck Expressway (from the BQE or Long Island Expressway). This western approach is not only less affected by the 2026 construction changes but is also the natural routing from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and most of Queens.
The eastern approach (Belt Parkway / JFK Expressway) is primarily used by drivers coming from Long Island, southeastern Queens, or the Rockaways. If your chauffeur is approaching from these directions, the January 2026 changes are critical to understand.
Construction zones create a gap between what GPS apps show and what the road actually looks like. Here is how to handle it.
How the roadway changes affect where and how you get picked up or dropped off at JFK.
Our Meet & Greet service ($25) is particularly valuable during JFK construction. Your chauffeur waits inside the terminal at arrivals, helps with luggage, and walks you directly to the vehicle—eliminating the need for you to navigate the construction-affected curbside pickup area yourself.
For international arrivals at Terminal 1 or Terminal 4, Meet & Greet means you walk out of customs and baggage claim to see a professional with your name sign, not a confusing construction zone.
The JFK roadway changes are part of an evolving construction program. Here is what to expect through the rest of 2026.
| Timeframe | Event | Road Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 5, 2026 | Eastern approach road reconfiguration begins | Moderate—new lane patterns for T1/T4 |
| Q1 2026 | NTO Phase A final construction push | Continued eastern approach disruption |
| June 2026 | New Terminal One Phase A opens (14 gates) | New terminal access roads open; old T1 approach may change again |
| Late 2026 | Terminal 6 opens (10 gates) | New north-side access roads; ring road adjustments |
| 2027–2028 | NTO Phase B construction begins | Additional road changes expected |
| 2030 (est.) | Full NTO completion (all phases) | Permanent new road network finalized |
Construction zones expose the difference between drivers who know JFK and those who do not.
| Scenario | Vetted Chauffeur | Rideshare / Self-Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Knows Jan 2026 road changes | Yes—drives it daily | Maybe—depends on GPS accuracy |
| Handles GPS vs signs conflict | Follows physical signs by habit | Often follows GPS, misses turn |
| Missed exit recovery | Knows shortcut to loop back (5 min) | Full airport loop (10–15 min) |
| Construction zone speed | Confident at 25 MPH, no hesitation | Hesitant, slows traffic behind |
| Knows current FHV pickup spot | Updated daily by dispatch | Relies on app pin (may be outdated) |
| Stress level for passenger | Relaxed—driver handles it all | Elevated—navigating unfamiliar zone |
Rideshare drivers are assigned trips algorithmically—the driver who accepts your JFK pickup may not have driven to JFK since before the January 2026 changes. They may be a new driver on the platform or primarily drive in a different borough. When that driver encounters unexpected jersey barriers, missing lane markings, and GPS instructions that do not match the road, the result is confusion, missed turns, and delays.
A vetted chauffeur assigned to JFK routes has driven through the construction zone dozens of times. They know where the lane split is, where the temporary signs are, and exactly how to reach each terminal’s pickup area—regardless of what the GPS shows. During active construction, this experience gap translates directly into time saved and stress avoided.
The most recent roadway reconfiguration affecting Terminals 1 and 4 took effect on January 5, 2026. These changes modify approach patterns for drivers coming from the east (Belt Parkway / JFK Expressway direction) and are related to the New Terminal One construction.
No. Terminals 5 (JetBlue) and 8 (American Airlines) are largely unaffected. The primary impact is on Terminals 1 and 4, which are closest to the New Terminal One construction site. Drivers approaching from the western side (Van Wyck Expressway) see minimal disruption.
GPS apps may lag 2–6 weeks behind physical road changes. If your GPS directions conflict with physical construction signs at JFK, follow the signs. Waze tends to update faster than Google Maps or Apple Maps due to crowd-sourced reporting.
Add 15–20 minutes to your normal JFK travel time if approaching from the east for the first time since January 2026. If you are being dropped off (departures, upper level), add 10 minutes. Professional car service drivers who know the construction zone typically add no extra time.
The FHV pickup area at Terminal 1 may shift temporarily during active construction phases. Our dispatch team monitors PANYNJ announcements and directs chauffeurs to the current correct location. We recommend texting your driver when you land to confirm the exact meeting point.
JFK road disruptions will continue in various forms through approximately 2030 as the $19 billion airport redevelopment progresses. The current eastern approach changes are expected to evolve again when New Terminal One Phase A opens in June 2026 and when Terminal 6 opens in late 2026.
The JFK AirTrain operates on its own elevated guideway and is not directly affected by the ground-level roadway changes. AirTrain service between terminals and to Jamaica Station / Howard Beach continues normally.
If you are unfamiliar with JFK’s current road configuration, yes. The construction zone involves temporary lane patterns, reduced speeds, and signage that may not match your GPS. A vetted chauffeur who drives JFK daily navigates this confidently, saving you 15–30 minutes of confusion and stress. Book through our JFK car service page.
Our vetted chauffeurs navigate JFK’s roadway changes daily. Curbside pickup, flight tracking, and zero construction guesswork.
Last updated: February 23, 2026
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.
