Going around Boston

loggenrock wrote:
Hey Rangerman - dunno what you are driving/towing, but do NOT go thru the heart of Boston in ANYTHING of any size! Shutting off propane won't cut it - NO propane allowed in tunnels - and the HC (Hazardous Carrier) route is atrocious! You have a pretty narrow window of opportunity to avoid horrendous Boston traffic on ANY of the routes on a Friday - if you are not past the greater Boston area by 2pm...well... you know the saying! When we run south from NH to the south shore areas I usually run 495. Road surface has been better - fewer potholes - and traffic a bit less. Expect HEAVY traffic heading north from Boston - they are all seeking an escape from there for the weekend up to Maine/NH/etc., too. As an example of what to encounter for traffic, last summer we left Bangor, ME headed to Clinton, CT on a Friday (NOT by choice...). This route didn't even include the immediate Boston area. Google estimated 5.5 hrs to cover the 350+/- miles - it took us an actual 8.5 hrs to go that distance! Welcome to the Northeast! I will add that we really enjoy Nickerson SP, and the coast of ME is wonderful! Just travelling between the 2 will be nerve-wracking! ST

I'm glad I found this. We just took our Sunseeker Class C to Provincetown from Bangor. We drove straight through Boston through the tunnels and had no issue either way. Left and returned on a Sunday and no traffic. However, afterwards we got to thinking about the propane in our motorhome in reference to all the LEAVE ON THIS EXIT NOW IF YOU HAVE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL signs on the freeway going back to Maine. So, I guess our question is answered! Go AROUND Boston and do NOT go through the tunnels! Thanks!

Or just dial 511 and enter the route number.

Here is a site where you can get a real time view of congestion. LINK You can drag the map to cover your area of interest, see average speed, and view live cameras.

I follow MA State Police and DOT and they are pretty good at accident info. It really depends on timing on whether you need to take 495 instead of 95. Without a camper, I just go straight through on 93 if it's not rush hour.

Just returned from Boston a couple of hours ago without the camper. Would not even THINK of going through the city with a rig. Route 128 was bad this afternoon and it was relatively mild. Will be headed to from Maine to Rhode Island later this summer and I will certainly go on 495. Not that much longer and less traffic.

Fred.

95 straight up. 495 goes way around and traffic is no longer much less than on 95. Your timing to leave is great-you'll miss rush hour plus the tie-ups at the tolls in Hampton NH. Run should take you 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Stop in Kittery for lunch. Bob's Clam Hut is right next to Kittery Trading Post. Park there and walk over to Bob's.

Ditto, do not go straight through. I've taken I-95 around coming from the south. Sometimes all the way to I-90 merges with 1 and sometimes I-93 to I-495. I have not resorted to 495 all the way around but it depends on the day, and I haven't made the trip in the summer. That was winter traffic going skiing which was probably lighter, but it was Friday trips.

Google maps and traffic is your friend and expect red areas to get worse before you get there. You might decide 495 is less hassle even if the interior loop is potentially faster. I'm sure it's traffic filled regardless but Boston isn't that big which helps.

I'm pulling a 26' TT. I can deal with a little traffic as our stop in Old Orchard Beach is more of a stopover on our way to Acadia for a few days. I guess 495 it is then, and I'll try to get moving as early as possible.

Hey Rangerman - dunno what you are driving/towing, but do NOT go thru the heart of Boston in ANYTHING of any size! Shutting off propane won't cut it - NO propane allowed in tunnels - and the HC (Hazardous Carrier) route is atrocious! You have a pretty narrow window of opportunity to avoid horrendous Boston traffic on ANY of the routes on a Friday - if you are not past the greater Boston area by 2pm...well... you know the saying! When we run south from NH to the south shore areas I usually run 495. Road surface has been better - fewer potholes - and traffic a bit less. Expect HEAVY traffic heading north from Boston - they are all seeking an escape from there for the weekend up to Maine/NH/etc., too. As an example of what to encounter for traffic, last summer we left Bangor, ME headed to Clinton, CT on a Friday (NOT by choice...). This route didn't even include the immediate Boston area. Google estimated 5.5 hrs to cover the 350+/- miles - it took us an actual 8.5 hrs to go that distance! Welcome to the Northeast! I will add that we really enjoy Nickerson SP, and the coast of ME is wonderful! Just travelling between the 2 will be nerve-wracking! ST