Help me get thru Boston!

[KyDan]

We're going from Hershey PA to Plymouth on a Sunday.
I -think- that route will be ok-- going I 78 to I287 around NYC then I95 to (485) to Plymouth.
This route does not worry me too much. comments?? It's a Sunday and it's
after Labor day!

The biggie in my mind is the next leg. Plymouth to Bar Harbor Maine
Tuesday morning we'd head out of Plymouth and immediately head thru
downtown Boston??? Google wants me to take US 1 thru Boston???

HELP?!? Need route from Plymouth past Boston best way to reconnect with I95 north to Maine.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I would avoid downtown Boston by all means. I would take 3 to I-93 then I-95 around BOSTON. I would almost go out of my way and take I-495 to
by-pass Boston.

[ChooChooMan74]

DO NOT GO THROUGH BOSTON. It would help to know where the destination is of your next leg.

[Lost Vermonters]

DON"T

I grew up there and I dread going through Boston with just my truck. 495 is longer but safer and WAY less nerve racking.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

DO NOT GO THROUGH BOSTON. It would help to know where the destination is of your next leg.

Sorry- We're going Plymouth to Bar Harbor Maine so we need to get from
Plymouth onto I 95 north somehow.

Looking like MA3 north to I 93 to I 95 north??

At this moment which is Labor Day Monday at 9:50 AM google shows
very little traffic on this route. I'll check again Tuesday morning to get
some sort of idea of actual traffic and drive times on a work week day.

[ChooChooMan74]

Rt 3 can be a disaster in the morning rush as all the people from the cape who work in Boston use Rt 3. Sections of that still use the break down lane as an extra rush hour lane. Can make merging in a real issue. I personally like the 495 approach..44 to 495. Only issue with 44 is the rotary just before 495 in Middleboro, which may back up in the AM with people going 495 to 24 to Boston.

[shughey00]

Take it from a people who commute this...go 495. Do not take route 1 period...google takes the shortest route but many times the slowest route.

Timing is very crucial just an hour makes a huge difference. Like taking 128 or 495 depends on time of the morning. Boston traffic is brutal from 6:30 to 9;30 but after say 9:30 it eases quite a bit probably like any city.

But if I was leaving at say 7:00-8:00 I would go 495...which even that will be tight in a few spots but not too bad on the north bound side. Morning time it is the south bound side of 495 that has the most traffic.

Going through the city just sucks any time of day unless you get real lucky.


Just take either 44 over to 495 or you can go south on route 3 to 495...all the traffic will be going north ( route 3 north in the AM is a nightmare....ignore what the screwggle maps say)...then take 495 north until it ends in Amesbury Ma. and then you will dump on to 95 north just south of the NH border. The maine border is about 20-25 minutes from the 495/95 junction.

Just remember you are travelling during rush hour and nothing is going to be a breeze...but I drove this for 30 years for business and heading north on 495 in the morning is typically the least congested. Route 1 and Route 128 have the same congestion heading north or south pretty much morning once you get close to the city or major interchanges...I 93 clover leaf is a typical example on 128.

[davidjb]

I think I would go 44 to 495 n to 95 north..rt 1 busy and sections rough and curvy..avoid

[shughey00]

By the way...my personal approach, from driving here since 1987, is simply wait until after 10:00 AM to leave..or leave at 10:00.

Mass drivers are a unique bunch ...they are aggressive. It has been said that defensive driving in MAss will get you in an accident and it is not a joke. I drove all around the country for work and lived all over but Mass drivers are fast and aggressive during rush hour IMHO.

If you leave after rush hour you can actually go up route 1/95 through the city then take 93 at the split and catch 495 in Lawrence.

I always tried to avoid morning commute...why subject yourself to it. Plus the wild card here is road repairs.

Once you get north of the city by 20 miles you wont hit traffic again the rest of the trip unless it is road work or an accident.

Thats just how as a local I would do it. Leave the crazies alone for the rush hour and relax until 9:30-10:00 then head out. Your not going to loose that much time in the end and your blood pressure will thank you..as may your wife and/or kids.

[Jimandchris]

Just there last week moving the daughter (again). I 95 around Lexington had night construction going on. Wasn't sure how long but it was a PITA. I thought Michiganders were bad drivers, but they can't hold a candle to the Bostonians!

[clarinetone]

To my knowledge I believe that even if you really wanted to drive through Boston with an RV it is not possible because hazardous materials are prohibited from passing under the Hancock Building which is considered a tunnel. Since propane is a hazardous material, I always do I-495. A bit longer but safer.

[dvalley]

Was in Bar Harbor area about a month ago. As for going through Boston. One word... don't. Take 44 out of Plymouth to 495 N then hit 95 N. Seems like the long way around but will probably take you less time and your nerves will be mostly intact by the time you reach 95N

[Forester Fred]

For what it's worth....I-95 in Connecticut is a nightmare. Take a look at the map - 287 to 684 north - to I84 east. I-84 runs all the way to the Mass line where it connects to the Mass Pike which is I90. 495 is about 25 miles east/north on I90/Mass Pike.

[oldnewguy]

live in plymouth so i would go the 495 route to get to 95 north. if you have propane you can not go thru boston not allowed in tunnels with propane. it may take a few minutes longer on 495. but traffic moves and no major slow downs. each campground will help you get to the main route you need hope you had fun in plymouth ma

[KyDan]

Well -- I was nervous before but you plumb scared me out of going to Plymouth. I wasn't real fond of that route anyway due mostly to
the severe jog east to reach it as well as how in the heck to avoid
Boston.
No biggie.
We dropped Plymouth and added Portsmouth NH.
That has a couple advantages.
It shortens our route over all and it shortens our final leg enough that I feel OK about stopping at the LL Bean outlet in Freeport on the way to Acadia NP.
Plus it allows us to stay a little further inland and avoid the NYC area.

I understand aggressive driving. Once was driving in Atlanta. 6 or 7 lanes nearly bumper to bumper going 70+. Some idiot inched past me on the left and immediately cut in front of me. It was so close I braced for impact. I though he had my front bumper! I cut my 3 car following distance back to 1 1/2 and just held on.... I will keep up!

Thanks so much for the discussion!!
Happy Trails!!

[shughey00]

I had a taxi driver brake check me hard on 495 while I was in the slow lane doin 65 in my 34' Bounder with a jeep as a toad.

Found out my Blue Ox was working!!!

Thought I was going over the top of the taxi....never knew what made him mad..guess 65 in the slow lane at 10:00 at night is too slow.

Anyway 495 should be less stressful save for any construction. I forget about the propane restrictions going under the city...I never take the RV through the city.

[n-e-d]

Its a shame about missing Plymouth lot to see and gateway to the Cape. Portsmouth NH is just as nice. Check out Kittery Trading Post and route 1 oulets similiar to Freeport. Safe journey

[Cornelius]

I used to live in Massachusetts. As the others have warned, do not drive a motorhome in Boston. Actually, I would avoid driving even a car through there...

Vehicles with propane are prohibited from the tunnels in Boston. Some underpasses along the Charles River are too low for an RV. Just avoid all the problems and take I-495 around the city.