<human>: Hey,

First, I've only been to NYC once--so I don't know the area very well at all.  Secondly, I assume traveling during New Year's Eve is a nightmare.  But, I have no idea.  I guess the metro could maybe handle the capacity.  Maybe I'm totally overestimating the traffic...

So, my friends and I will be driving in from the West (Pittsburgh area).  I'm assuming traffic will be crazy in the city so I have no idea what we will do with the car.  I was thinking that it'd be smart to get a hotel in Jersey City or Hoboken or somewhere like that and just take a train / taxi into Manhattan.  Is that plausible?

I live in Boston now and for the July 4, New Year's Eve, etc. the metro is pretty much a standstill--but only after like 10 p.m.  Before that, it doesn't really seem noticeably busier.  Is it like that in NYC for New Year's Eve?  And, does anyone know at what time the metro starts to get swamped?

We don't really care about getting close to the ball or anything.  I can't imagine how early you'd have to get there for that.  I don't think we'll be able to even get to the area before 7:00 p.m.  But, we want to at least be able to be in / around Time's Square around midnight--if that's possible.

Would we be better to just park at like a garage or something and then take the train into the city and stay in Manhattan?  I know that's WAY more expensive but I don't want to go to NYC and miss everything because of traffic.

I'll really appreciate any feedback!

Can you provide a brief rundown of the text in within 3 sentences?
<bot>: PLANNING to drive from Pittsburgh to NYC; can't arrive before 7:00 p.m.-ish; want to be able to be in / around Time's Square.  Any suggestions?