Tuesday's expected to be the worst of the Gridlock Alert Days so far this year in New York City as President Trump speaks at the United Nations General Assembly.

Drivers should expect delays and heavy traffic in Manhattan. The DOT recommends that both commuters and tourists utilize public transportation or bikes whenever possible. 

"New York City welcomes the U.N. General Assembly once again this year, but New Yorkers and visitors alike should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking non-driving modes of transportation," NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement.

The Department of Transportation said that there will be 20 Gridlock Alert Days that extend into the holiday season.   

U.N. General Assembly street closures 

The 80th U.N. General Assembly began on Sept. 9 and runs until September 30. The "High-Level" week started on Monday, when world leaders, including United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to recognize a Palestinian State during the general debate. The assembly has already voted for a two-state solution to the conflict.

Traffic experts anticipate the heaviest traffic will be on Tuesday when President Trump addresses the United Nations, and Friday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to deliver a speech. 

"Every time the president moves, in advance, police at various locations will not only stop the traffic, not only stop the bikes, but they will stop pedestrians from moving," Sam Schwartz, chair of the Roosevelt House Transportation Program at Hunter College, said. 

The average speed during the assembly can be as slow as 4 mph in Midtown, officials say. 

"I was looking at traffic speeds last year and, believe it or not, they hit 2.9 miles an hour. A senior citizen walks at 3 miles an hour," Schwartz said. 

For the duration of the U.N. General Assembly, the following streets will be closed: 

• First Avenue will be closed from 42nd-48th streets daily 
• 44th-48th streets from First Avenue to Second Avenue daily 
• Passenger vehicles and bicycles may use the First Avenue tunnel to travel through the area
• There will be rolling, intermittent closures citywide as certain delegations move

The following streets may be closed from time to time for the U.N. General Assembly, according to the New York City Department of Transporation. 

• FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
• Area bounded by East 86th Street on the North, East 80th Street on the South, Park Avenue on the East, and 5th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 60th Street on the North, 34th Street on the South, 1st Avenue / United Nations Plaza on East and 3rd Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 57th Street on the North, 45th Street on the South, 3rd Avenue on East and Madison Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 58th Street on the North, 49th Street on the South, Madison Avenue on East and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by West 47th Street on the North, West 44th Street on the South, 7th Avenue on East and 8th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Grand Army Plaza between 58th Street and 60th Street
• Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and 5th Avenue
• 8th Avenue between West 49th Street and West 44th Street
• 7th Avenue between West 56th Street and 59th Street
• 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 46th Street
• 5th Avenue between East 63rd Street and East 49th Street
• Madison Avenue between East 58th Street and East 42nd Street
• Vanderbilt Avenue between East 47th Street and East 42nd Street
• Park Avenue between East 86th Street and East 45th Street
• Lexington Avenue between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
• 3rd Avenue between 83rd Street and 72nd Street
• East 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and 3rd Avenue
• East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• East 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• East 61st Street between 5th Avenue and Lexington Avenue
• West 59th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• West/East 58th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
• West/East 57th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
• West 56th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 54th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West/East 53rd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• West 52nd Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 51st Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West/East 50th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
• West/East 49th Street between 8th Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
• FDR Drive Service Road between East 48th Street and East 49th Street
• East 48th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
• West 46th Street between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
• West/East 42nd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• West/East 34th Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive

Heavy security in Midtown for U.N. General Assembly

The NYPD says it will have harbor units, aviation assets, counterterrorism officers, and a drone team providing real-time monitoring throughout the week, though there have been no credible or specific threats to the General Assembly. 

"The resources that we are deploying are extensive and go beyond just a uniformed presence. Our specialized units will be out in full force all week," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

Drivers are going nowhere fast

"It's really rough. A lot of traffic," driver Glenn Willis said. "And it's really annoying." 

He added he can't recall ever seeing traffic so bad. 

"It's traffic like crazy, and the boss is on top of us, [asking] 'Where you at?'" driver Brian Antino said. 

"We are telling New Yorkers, this is a time you do want to take public transportation, because there's going to be some important gridlocks, alerts that should be aware," Adams said. "We're going to make sure that this U.N. General Assembly is a safe one." 

Gridlock Days for 2025 holiday season

After the general assembly finishes, drivers will receive a brief reprieve for around two months before the holiday season begins. Streets will close in anticipation of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Here are the Gridlock Days for the upcoming holiday season.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19
• Thursday, Nov. 20
• Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Wednesday, Dec. 3
• Thursday, Dec. 4
• Friday, Dec. 5
• Monday, Dec. 8
• Tuesday, Dec. 9
• Wednesday, Dec. 10
• Thursday, Dec. 11
• Friday, Dec. 12
• Monday, Dec. 15
• Tuesday, Dec. 16
• Wednesday, Dec. 17
• Thursday, Dec. 18

The city has in past years set up a pedestrian-only zone around Rockefeller Center for holiday shopping.