Best Route through Boston Area

[DO_N_DAT]

We will be traveling from the Cape Cod peninsula to Portsmouth, Maine on a midday Thursday. Which route would you suggest to get through or by Boston? I93, I95, I93 to 1 and 1A? I am leaning towards I95.
Thanks in advance,
John

[The_Painting_Te]

Rte 95 mid-day is not bad. Camp on!

[Jim_Shoe]

Crowe,
I was exaggerating for effect, but the cab ride was exciting. When I was there in the Navy we were tied up at the end of the pier where Old Ironsides was berthed. That's a long walk to the subway in the dead of winter, but the subway was the way to get around. We used to hop the subway to the "Combat Zone". Every other door was a bar or a pizza joint, and it was swarming with MPs and SPs. I talked to somebody recently that said that's all been cleaned up.
I also enjoyed the dining experience at Durgin Park in the market district. I read recently that the waitresses are still surly. That was part of the fun. Great chowda'.

[Crowe]

Aw c'mon, Jim, it's not THAT bad! :B It's just something you get used to and plan accordingly. The formula for driving around here is simple:

Take the most stupid, dangerous, and asinine stunt a driver can pull, multiply it by 100 then add 1000. Then you might be getting close to the worst they will do. If you think someone can't POSSIBLY be that stupid or crazy, think again. They are.

Honestly, just drive defensively and enjoy the chaos. It gets comical when you see someone pass you on the inside, outside and in between then get pulled over by a Statie or you pull up right behind them. Patience pays off, both in ability to deal and safety.

[Jim_Shoe]

Driving rules in Boston:
1. Drive with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the horn at all times.
2. If a space opens up in a lane that's big enough for a tricycle, pull your car in it.
When I was in the Navy, I took a cab from the airport to South annex, a distance of about 4 miles. When I got there, I was curled up in the fetal position, crying like a little baby.
But its worth it for the seafood. 🙂

[DO_N_DAT]

Crowe wrote:
Take 6 to 3 north to 128 north to 95 north.

DO NOT TAKE 93 NORTH through Boston. No propane is allowed in the tunnel. It is strictly enforced and it has been reported that the fine is huge. There are many cameras in the tunnel.

x2. Midday on a Thursday past Labor Day shouldn't be much of an issue, unless there is an accident. 495 has major construction right now. Even without construction, it's more than 30 minutes extra. Take the straight shot up.

Thanks for the info. 6 to 3 to 128 to 95, it is. Good to hear about the construction on 495 in advance. Don't like getting caught up in that.
John

[Crowe]

Take 6 to 3 north to 128 north to 95 north.

DO NOT TAKE 93 NORTH through Boston. No propane is allowed in the tunnel. It is strictly enforced and it has been reported that the fine is huge. There are many cameras in the tunnel.

x2. Midday on a Thursday past Labor Day shouldn't be much of an issue, unless there is an accident. 495 has major construction right now. Even without construction, it's more than 30 minutes extra. Take the straight shot up.

[tropical_ron]

BTW - I think you mean Portsmouth, New Hampshire - it borders Maine at the Piscataqua River and Kittery is the first town in Maine. Known for its' outlet stores. History lesson for the day...

[ploiselle]

Take 6 to 3 north to 128 north to 95 north.

DO NOT TAKE 93 NORTH through Boston. No propane is allowed in the tunnel. It is strictly enforced and it has been reported that the fine is huge. There are many cameras in the tunnel.

An alternate route, but much longer, is to take 6 to 28 to 25 to 495 to 95 north. It is much longer. It is a very easy route as you need to make your way along the canal to 25, then stay straight to 95.

I would take 6 to 3 etc. and plan on being at the 128/93 split well after 9:30 am and well before 2:30 pm.

Paul

EDIT
I checked Tropical Ron's data on Google Maps and it is correct, but I still would take route 3 just making sure that I was making the loop around noon.

[tropical_ron]

I would recommend staying away from I-95 and Boston. I may be 40 less miles but the traffic is terrible any time of day. I would take SR-25 / I-495 off the cape to the end and it turns back into I-95. It is 40 miles longer and 1/2 hour longer if there is equal traffic, which there will not be. 495 gets its' share of traffic but the odds are in your favor of making better, less stressful time on 495. This would be my route either with motorhome or traveling by car.

[Matt_Colie]

Portsmouth is in New Hampshire, thought the navy's Portsmouth Shipyard is in Kittery, Maine. (Leave it to the government.)

If you don't have many good choices, but if you listen to the traffic reports and stay on the interstates, it won't be too bad.

Just remember that east coast driver drive offensively not defensively.

Matt

[Veebyes]

Have you considered flying? Maybe a boat? Have fun. I don't envy you.