Going to a Specific Address
Key Takeaways
- Separate street blocks (north–south along avenues) from avenue crossings (east–west along streets).
- Facing direction determines whether the next turn is left or right—never assume north is always straight ahead.
- From 7th Avenue and 34th Street facing west to 8th Avenue and 38th Street: go straight one avenue, turn right, four blocks north.
- From 5th Avenue and 59th Street facing north to Madison Avenue and 42nd Street: turn around south, walk 17 blocks, turn left one avenue east.
- Count street differences carefully—34th to 38th Street is four blocks, a frequent off-by-one trap.
Going to a Specific Address
Quick Answer: "Going to a Specific Address" items give your starting intersection, facing direction, and a destination intersection. Count blocks (streets) and avenues separately, turn left or right from your facing direction, and pick the shortest legal path—not the path that sounds busiest.
This question type is the heart of NYPD spatial orientation. You are rarely asked abstract compass puzzles; you are asked to route yourself like an officer on foot or in a radio car using the grid.
Vocabulary: Blocks vs. Avenues
| Term | Meaning in NYC grid | Counting tip |
|---|---|---|
| Block (street block) | Distance along a north–south avenue from one east–west street to the next | 34th to 38th Street = 4 blocks north or south |
| Avenue | North–south roadway; crossing one avenue = one avenue of travel east or west | 7th Avenue to 8th Avenue = 1 avenue west |
| Facing direction | The way you are pointed before the first move | Sets whether the next turn is left or right |
| Turn around | Reverse heading 180° | Used when destination is behind you |
One city block along an avenue is roughly one street number (e.g., 34th to 35th). Exam math stays integer-simple: no half blocks.
The Five-Step Routing Method
- Write start and end as Avenue & Street pairs (e.g., 7th Ave & 34th St → 8th Ave & 38th St).
- Note facing direction — north, south, east, or west.
- Compute street difference — how many blocks north/south.
- Compute avenue difference — how many avenues east/west.
- Choose the order that matches "most direct" — usually one turn: either avenues first then streets, or streets first then avenues, whichever is fewer total moves from your facing.
Always confirm turns from facing, not from a map orientation you imagine.
Worked Example 1
Start: 7th Avenue and 34th Street, facing west.
Destination: 8th Avenue and 38th Street.
- West is toward higher avenues — 8th is 1 avenue west (straight ahead).
- 34th to 38th is 4 blocks north.
- Facing west, north is to your right.
Route: Continue straight 1 avenue, turn right, go 4 blocks. This matches classic exam keys.
Worked Example 2
Start: 5th Avenue and 59th Street, facing north.
Destination: Madison Avenue and 42nd Street.
- Destination street 42 is south of 59 — you must go 17 blocks south.
- Madison is 1 avenue east of 5th.
- Facing north, destination is behind you and to the right.
Route: Turn around (south), walk 17 blocks, turn left (east), walk 1 avenue.
Worked Example 3
Start: 3rd Avenue and 23rd Street, facing south.
Destination: 2nd Avenue and 21st Street.
- South from 23rd toward 21st = 2 blocks (straight ahead).
- 3rd to 2nd Avenue = 1 avenue east.
- Facing south, east is to your left.
Route: Continue straight 2 blocks, turn left, walk 1 avenue.
Worked Example 4
Start: 1st Avenue and 14th Street, facing north.
Destination: 2nd Avenue and 17th Street.
- North from 14th to 17th = 3 blocks.
- 1st to 2nd Avenue = 1 avenue east.
- Facing north, east is to your right.
Route: Walk 3 blocks north, turn right, walk 1 avenue.
Facing Direction Cheat Sheet
| Facing | North is | South is | East is | West is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North | Ahead | Behind | Right | Left |
| South | Behind | Ahead | Left | Right |
| East | Left | Right | Ahead | Behind |
| West | Right | Left | Behind | Ahead |
Use this table before every turn decision.
Radio Car vs. Foot
Exam routes assume grid travel unless the stem mentions one-way streets or closed blocks. NYPD keys typically allow:
- Driving north on avenues and east/west on streets in midtown unless told otherwise
- Turning at corners as a pedestrian would
If two answers differ only by order of legs (avenues first vs. streets first) but total distance is equal, match the option that respects your initial facing with fewer turns.
Common Traps
- Counting 34th to 38th as 3 blocks instead of 4
- Turning right when facing south to go east (east is left when heading south)
- Forgetting to turn around when the destination is behind your facing
- Routing uptown when street numbers decrease
- Picking a path with an extra avenue because it "looks" like a main road
Multi-Borough Note
Most address items stay in Manhattan or a single outer-borough grid. If a stem jumps boroughs without a bridge or tunnel, it is usually not a walking route question—re-read for subway or vehicle dispatch wording.
Practice Scenario
You are at 1st Avenue and 14th Street facing north. A pursuit ends at 2nd Avenue and 17th Street. Map the street change: 14 → 17 is three blocks north. Map the avenue change: 1st → 2nd is one avenue east. Facing north, east is right. Shortest path: 3 blocks north, turn right, 1 avenue east.
Study Routine
- Solve five routes daily using only facing + grid rules—no map.
- Say turns aloud: "facing south, left is east."
- For each missed item, redraw start/end and label N/S/E/W at start.
- Alternate Manhattan midtown with one Brooklyn or Queens grid item weekly.
Final Check
From 7th & 34th facing west to 8th & 38th, how many avenues and blocks, and which turn? Answer: 1 avenue straight, right turn, 4 blocks north. From 5th & 59th facing north to Madison & 42nd? Turn around, 17 blocks south, left 1 avenue east.
You are at 7th Avenue and 34th Street facing west. Dispatch sends you to a robbery at 8th Avenue and 38th Street. What is the most direct route?
You are at 3rd Avenue and 23rd Street facing south. A disturbance is at 2nd Avenue and 21st Street. What is the most direct walking route?
You are at 5th Avenue and 59th Street facing north. You must reach Madison Avenue and 42nd Street. What is the most direct route?
You are at 1st Avenue and 14th Street facing north. A pursuit ends at 2nd Avenue and 17th Street. What is the shortest path?