The Route, Where to Watch, When to Leave New Jersey and How Drop-Off and Pickup Work Around Street Closures
Newark, NJ · Updated November 2026
Newark Limousine Service serves Newark, North Jersey, Central Jersey and NYC, 24/7. (862) 246-7778 · info@ewr-limo.com · book online.
Quick answer: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade runs Thursday, Nov. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to about noon, from Central Park West and West 77th Street down Sixth Avenue to Herald Square. For a good spot, arrive by about 6 a.m., which means leaving Hudson County around 5:30 a.m. A Macy’s parade car service from NJ drops you a few blocks from the route and picks you up at a set corner after the parade.
Parade Basics
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26 |
| Time | 8:30 a.m. to about noon |
| Route | Starts at Central Park West and West 77th Street, south to Columbus Circle, east on Central Park South, then down Sixth Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street |
| Balloon inflation | The afternoon before, near the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side |
This year’s parade is the 100th, so expect bigger crowds than usual. Check the official Macy’s parade page for final details before you go.
Where to Watch
The best public viewing is along Central Park West between about West 75th and West 61st streets, and on Sixth Avenue between West 59th and West 38th streets. The start at West 77th Street, Columbus Circle and the TV broadcast area near Herald Square have little or no public viewing. Spots fill early, so many families arrive by 6 a.m.
When to Leave New Jersey
| Leaving from | Plan to leave by |
|---|---|
| Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken | About 5:30 a.m. |
| Newark and Essex County | About 5:15 a.m. |
| Bergen County (Fort Lee, Englewood, Tenafly) | About 5:15 a.m. |
| Union County and Central Jersey | About 4:45 to 5 a.m. |
These are planning estimates for a 6 a.m. arrival. Thanksgiving morning traffic is usually light, but street closures near the route mean your drop-off will be a short walk away.
Drop-Off and Pickup
Streets along and near the route close to traffic, so no car can drop you right at the curb of the parade. Your chauffeur drops you as close as police barriers allow, usually a few blocks west of the route, and you walk in. Before you get out, agree on a pickup corner and time away from the crowds. After the parade ends around noon, text your chauffeur when you start walking. With hourly chauffeur service, the same driver brings you back to New Jersey in time for Thanksgiving dinner.
Choosing a Vehicle
Families and groups do best in one vehicle, so nobody gets separated in the crowds. An SUV seats up to six, a van seats 9 to 13, and a Sprinter seats up to 14. See every vehicle on our fleet page, or book group transportation for a bigger group.
Parade Day Tips
Dress in layers with a hat and gloves, since you’ll stand outside for hours in late November. Bring snacks, water and a portable phone charger, and leave big bags at home. Subways and buses run on a Sunday schedule, which is one more reason a door-to-door Macy’s parade car service from NJ is easier for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, and it usually ends around noon.
Where does the Macy’s parade start and end?
It starts at Central Park West and West 77th Street and ends at Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street.
What time should we leave New Jersey?
Plan to arrive by about 6 a.m. for a good spot, so leave Hudson County around 5:30 a.m. and farther areas earlier.
Can a car drop us right at the parade?
No. Streets near the route close, so your chauffeur drops you as close as the barriers allow, usually a few blocks away.
How do we find our car after the parade?
Agree on a pickup corner away from the route before you get out, then text your chauffeur when you start walking.
What vehicle fits a family group?
An SUV seats up to six, a van 9 to 13, and a Sprinter up to 14.
How do I book?
Book online at www.ewr-limo.com or call (862) 246-7778. Share your pickup address, time, group size and any stops.
Book Your Macy’s Parade Ride
Taking the family to the parade? Book early, since Thanksgiving morning fills up. Book online or call (862) 246-7778. Questions? Contact us.
Newark Limousine Service · Newark, North Jersey, Central Jersey and NYC, 24/7 · (862) 246-7778 · info@ewr-limo.com