Lindsay Lohan waited until almost the last second, but she showed up at JFK airport just moments ago to catch a flight to Los Angeles.

As TMZ first reported, Lindsay was first scheduled to fly across the country yesterday in order to make her court date on Monday ... but decided to stay in NYC another night. 

Lindsay arrived at the airport solo -- she was originally going to make the trip with her mother Dina, but Mommy Dearest decided not to make the trip.

LiLo's court hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM PT tomorrow ... we'll be there live.