Driving in Brooklyn can feel like a battle. Rush hour turns the streets into a maze of honking cars, impatient drivers, and pedestrians weaving between vehicles.
Some intersections are so bad that locals avoid them entirely. They know which streets become bottlenecks, where aggressive drivers refuse to yield, and which turns are impossible to make without risking a fender bender. But many do not have that luxury.
In the middle of all this madness, small mistakes can have huge consequences. A car accident caused by distracted driving can happen in an instant.
Keep reading to see which roads cause the biggest problems, what hazards to expect, and how to avoid getting stuck in endless gridlock.
Coney Island Ave and Cortelyou Rd
Heavy traffic and confusing traffic rules make this intersection one of Brooklyn’s worst during rush hour. It is surrounded by schools, daycares, and residential buildings, leading to a high number of pedestrians.
Drivers often get impatient, and honking becomes nonstop as people struggle to cross safely. Even with recent traffic rule changes, many still find it hard to navigate.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of using Cortelyou Rd, take Beverley Rd or Ditmas Ave for a smoother drive. To avoid congestion on Coney Island Ave, Ocean Pkwy offers a better north-south route with fewer stops and wider lanes.
Church Ave and Prospect Expwy
This intersection is dangerous due to its high-speed merging lanes, poor pedestrian infrastructure, and unclear traffic signals.
Vehicles trying to enter or exit the expressway often do not slow down, creating constant risks for cars and pedestrians.
The north side of this intersection is particularly hazardous, with sudden stops and aggressive drivers trying to cut into traffic.
Best Alternative Route
Avoid Church Ave by taking Caton Ave, which runs parallel and has far less congestion. If heading toward the Prospect Expressway, using Fort Hamilton Pkwy provides a safer approach with fewer unpredictable lane merges.
Tillary St
Tillary St is one of the most heavily used routes in Brooklyn, connecting directly to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
During rush hour, traffic backs up for blocks, and cyclists, pedestrians, and aggressive drivers make the situation worse.
Many accidents occur here due to lane-cutting, sudden braking, and confused out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with the traffic patterns.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of Tillary St, use Sands St for access to the Manhattan Bridge. If heading toward the Brooklyn Bridge, take Adams St or Jay St for a less congested approach.
Kings Hwy, Linden Blvd, and Remsen Ave
This intersection is a complete disaster during rush hour. Three major roads collide, creating a confusing mess of cars, buses, and trucks trying to push through at the same time.
The traffic signals barely help since impatient drivers either run reds or block the intersection when they cannot move forward.
Pedestrians trying to cross here are constantly at risk, dodging vehicles that do not stop. Accidents, near-misses, and road rage are common, making this one of Brooklyn’s most stressful spots for both drivers and walkers.
Best Alternative Route
To avoid this nightmare, take Rockaway Pkwy if heading north or south. For east-west travel, Clarkson Ave is a better option than Linden Blvd during peak hours.
Both routes offer a smoother drive with fewer bottlenecks.
9th St and 5th Ave
This intersection was supposed to improve with the addition of a Barnes Dance, a pedestrian-first crossing system, but it only made things worse. The long no-walk signal frustrates pedestrians, leading many to jaywalk.
Cyclists are also confused about when to move, often clashing with cars. Rush hour here is a mess, with everyone trying to squeeze through and little enforcement of the rules. Drivers who do not know the system often block the box, making congestion even worse.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of dealing with the chaos, use 4th Ave for north-south travel and 12th St or Union St to bypass 9th St’s congestion.
Flatbush Ave and Grand Army Plaza
This intersection is a true Brooklyn nightmare. Traffic moves in all directions, and signals often leave drivers unsure about when to go. Pedestrians misjudge the timing, thinking they have space to cross when they do not.
Rush hour here turns into a free-for-all, with buses, taxis, and cyclists all fighting for room. Speeding cars coming off Eastern Pkwy make things even worse. Grand Army Plaza is meant to be a beautiful entrance to Prospect Park, but for drivers, it is a daily stress test.
Best Alternative Route
If possible, use Washington Ave or Vanderbilt Ave to move north or south instead of Flatbush Ave. For those heading east or west, Eastern Pkwy is a much better option than getting stuck in the unpredictable gridlock of Grand Army Plaza.
Atlantic Ave and Clinton St
This intersection is where Brooklyn’s rush hour chaos reaches another level. Atlantic Ave is already one of the borough’s busiest roads, with heavy car traffic, delivery trucks, and aggressive lane switchers.
Clinton St, a key connection to surrounding neighborhoods, gets flooded with vehicles trying to turn onto Atlantic. The result? Gridlock, honking, and pedestrians running between cars because walk signals do not sync with real traffic patterns.
Drivers trying to beat the light often get caught in the middle of the intersection, creating an even bigger mess.
Best Alternative Route
If heading east or west, use Pacific St or State St for a less congested route. For north-south travel, try Henry St instead of Clinton St, since it has fewer backups and a more predictable traffic flow.
Fourth Ave and 7th St
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This spot feels like a permanent construction zone, making traffic worse every year. Lane closures, sudden merges, and awkward turns make this intersection a nightmare during rush hour.
Buses clog up lanes, cyclists weave through tight gaps, and frustrated drivers inch forward with no clear way to get through.
Cars trying to turn onto Fourth Ave from 7th St often get stuck, leading to impatient honking and dangerous last-second moves.
Best Alternative Route
To avoid the bottleneck, use 5th Ave instead of 4th Ave during peak hours. If heading toward Park Slope, 9th St is a better east-west option than 7th St since it has fewer forced stops and clearer traffic patterns.
Central Ave near Dekalb Ave and Myrtle Ave
This is one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous intersections, not just for rush hour traffic but for anyone on foot or a bike. Multiple roads meet at weird angles, making it hard to see oncoming cars. Pedestrians take risks by crossing between lights because they get impatient waiting for long signals.
Delivery trucks often double park, forcing drivers to swerve around them and into oncoming traffic. At night, visibility drops even more, making accidents even more common.
Best Alternative Route
If possible, avoid this area by taking Broadway instead of Myrtle Ave or Dekalb Ave. For those heading deeper into Bushwick, Wilson Ave offers a smoother and safer drive than Central Ave, especially during peak hours.
Flatbush Ave and Avenue U
This intersection is a disaster because of constant congestion, bad lane discipline, and impatient drivers who force their way through.
Flatbush Ave carries a massive amount of traffic all day, but rush hour makes it unbearable. Avenue U adds to the chaos with packed retail areas, delivery trucks blocking lanes, and pedestrians jaywalking.
The combination of aggressive drivers and distracted walkers makes accidents common here.
Best Alternative Route
Avoid Flatbush Ave during rush hour by using Nostrand Ave for north-south travel. If heading east or west, try Avenue T instead of Avenue U, since it has fewer commercial stops and a smoother traffic flow.
Jay St and Sands St
Located near the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, this intersection is a war zone during peak hours. Cars trying to get onto the bridge fight for space, cyclists ride dangerously close to traffic, and buses clog the lanes.
Many drivers do not understand the lane patterns, causing confusion and sudden stops. The bridge approach makes it worse, since small mistakes lead to massive traffic jams.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of Jay St, use Adams St for a more controlled route onto the Manhattan Bridge. If possible, take Tillary St as an alternative to Sands St for a less chaotic approach.
Nostrand Ave and Halsey St
This is one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians. Drivers making quick left turns off Nostrand Ave rarely check for people crossing, leading to frequent close calls.
Rush hour makes it even worse, with buses stopping at unpredictable spots and blocking visibility. The narrow streets force cyclists into dangerous spots where they have little room to move.
Best Alternative Route
For a safer drive, use New York Ave instead of Nostrand Ave. If crossing the area east or west, try Macon St instead of Halsey St to avoid heavy bus traffic.
Ocean Pkwy near Brighton Beach Ave
This stretch of road sees a high number of crashes due to speeding, reckless lane changes, and poor visibility.
Rush hour turns it into a nightmare, with drivers cutting across lanes to make sudden turns. Many pedestrians misjudge the timing of lights, leading to accidents.
The road layout is outdated, making it feel more like a highway than a city street.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of Ocean Pkwy, use West St for a safer parallel route. If traveling along Brighton Beach Ave, try Shore Pkwy for better traffic management.
17th Ave, New Utrecht Ave, and 79th St
This intersection is a disaster waiting to happen. Drivers get confused by overlapping lanes, poorly timed traffic lights, and pedestrians who dart across whenever they see a small gap.
The subway station nearby adds to the congestion, as people rush across the street to catch trains.
Best Alternative Route
Use 18th Ave instead of 17th Ave for a clearer drive. If heading toward New Utrecht Ave, consider 75th St instead of 79th St to avoid pedestrian-heavy zones.
3rd Ave at 60th St
A dangerous mix of schools, daycare centers, and industrial truck routes makes this one of the worst intersections in Brooklyn.
Tractor trailers swing wide around turns, forcing cars to stop suddenly. Pedestrians struggle to cross because of long stretches with no traffic lights.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of 3rd Ave, use 4th Ave, which has better traffic signals. If crossing east or west, 58th St is a smoother option than 60th St.
Parkside Ave and Ocean Ave
This intersection is chaotic because of its location near Prospect Park. Bikers, joggers, dog walkers, and families with kids all cross here throughout the day.
Rush hour makes it worse, with backed-up cars blocking the crosswalks. Drivers often run the light, thinking they can make it before pedestrians step off the curb.
Best Alternative Route
Use Church Ave instead of Parkside Ave during peak hours. For a safer north-south option, take Rogers Ave instead of Ocean Ave.
Ralph Ave and Fulton St
This is one of Brooklyn’s busiest intersections, with heavy foot traffic, buses stopping every few feet, and drivers making last-second lane changes.
Many drivers ignore traffic signals, leading to frequent accidents. Pedestrians often get stuck in the middle of the crosswalk because they do not have enough time to cross.
Best Alternative Route
Avoid Ralph Ave by taking Howard Ave for a smoother drive. If traveling along Fulton St, use Macon St as a less congested alternative.
Tillary St at Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge
Rush hour here is a disaster. Cars try to merge onto the bridges, causing endless gridlock. Many drivers ignore lane rules, creating near-misses with cyclists and pedestrians.
The road layout is confusing, with unclear signs and sudden lane shifts that catch out-of-town drivers off guard.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of Tillary St, take Sands St or Adams St for a better approach to the bridges. If possible, use the Williamsburg Bridge instead of the Brooklyn Bridge for a faster crossing.
Wyckoff Ave and Smith St
This intersection has terrible visibility, with parked cars and construction often blocking sight lines.
Drivers making turns cannot see oncoming traffic until the last second. The roads are narrow, forcing cyclists into dangerous close calls with cars.
Best Alternative Route
Use Bond St instead of Smith St for a clearer drive. For a better east-west route, try Bergen St instead of Wyckoff Ave.
Bedford Ave and Flatbush Ave
Rush hour here turns into chaos because of speeding cars, aggressive lane switching, and too many pedestrians crossing at once.
Cars constantly block the box, leading to honking and frustration. Cyclists also struggle here, as the bike lane disappears at key spots.
Best Alternative Route
Use Washington Ave instead of Bedford Ave for a more stable traffic flow. If avoiding Flatbush Ave, Eastern Pkwy offers a smoother drive.
Stagg St and Union Ave in Williamsburg
This intersection in Williamsburg is tricky because of fast-moving cars, poorly placed stop signs, and pedestrians who assume cars will stop.
Many drivers speed through, assuming they have the right of way, leading to frequent near-misses.
Best Alternative Route
Instead of Union Ave, use Lorimer St for a safer north-south route. For an alternative to Stagg St, take Scholes St, which has better traffic control.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
The traffic in Brooklyn would be easier to handle with better planning and smarter driving choices. Many intersections are not designed for the current volume of cars, buses, and pedestrians, making rush hour a nightmare. Some areas are impossible to avoid, but knowing the worst spots can help drivers save time and reduce stress. The best approach is to stay alert, take alternative routes when possible, and expect delays.
