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Millions of travelers worldwide start their New England vacation in this maze of terminals and parking lots.
A short hop from the city by distance – but not always time - the airport is built on reclaimed land from the sea.
Three tunnels link the airport with Boston: the Callahan and Sumner, and the Ted Williams Tunnel.
You're better off using the Ted Williams Tunnel if your travels take you out of the Boston area, because it'll speed you to the highways.
Here's some travel tips for Boston...
Avoid arriving or leaving on a Friday afternoon. It seems everybody in the eastern seaboard is trying to get in and out of Boston at that time. Progress will be slow – guaranteed!
If you’re staying in the city and you don’t intend to travel outside don’t rent a car. Use the “T” or better still... walk. Boston is a small city and you'll get around on foot quick and easy.
If your Massachusetts travel plans take you out of the city, then you’ll be able to pick-up most of the major routes on the other side of the tunnels.
Here’s your Massachusetts travel map to get you orientated on the major routes in the state, and so you can follow along with this article…
Route 90 stretches from coast to coast but the part in Massachusetts is known as “The Mass Pike.”
It’s a toll road running from Stockbridge in western Mass to the Weston tolls on the outskirts of Boston. And if you’re traveling west from Boston it’s your quickest and best route out of the city.
The South Shore...
If you’re heading to Cape Cod then I have some good news and bad news.
The good news is you don’t have to pay to go on a toll road. The bad news is Route 93 and the South Shore area can be very congested - anytime of the day.
Route 93 runs smack through the middle of downtown Boston. Maybe you’ve heard all about the project to “sink” Route 93 underground – it's known as “The Big Dig.” It’s had enough melodrama and budget over-runs to qualify for a movie!
Anyway, once out of Boston heading south on Route 93 you’ll eventually meet up with Route 3 in Braintree. Route 3 is your open highway to Cape Cod and the Sagamore Bridge.
Wind down the windows (at least in summer) – breathe in the summer breeze, and admire the cranberry bogs dominating the landscape more as you get closer to the cape.
If you’ve planned a stop on your Massachusetts travel at Plimoth Plantation then take exit 4 on Route 3 and follow the signs on Plimoth Plantation Highway.
A trip into Plymouth itself along Route 44 will get you to the Mayflower II replica and a chance to see the actual (maybe) Plymouth Rock, where the pilgrims landed.
If you’re heading on down to the Cape then you’ll want to check out my special Cape Cod vacations page by clicking here.
The North Shore...
Now, if your Massachusetts travel is taking you out of the state to New Hampshire or Maine from Boston, then you’ll be heading out on Route 93 North.
If your destination is all points-Maine then you'll take Route 95N when it intersects with Route 93N.
The North Shore of the Boston area is a beautiful region and covers the towns of Marblehead, Salem, Gloucester, Rockport, and Newburyport.
Gloucester and Newburyport have Whale Watch boats.
You'll get to these areas by taking Route 93N from Boston and then Route 128/95N where it joins 93N. But you'll stay on Route 128 when 95N heads up to Maine. Staying on Route 128 will take you into the fishing port of Gloucester.
Gloucester was the home port of the Andrea Gail, the small vessel lost in 100' waves during "The Perfect Storm" of 1991.
And if your Massachusetts Travel
Takes You West...
If your Massachusetts travel is taking you west then you’ll be heading out on the Mass Pike – Route 90.
Word of warning: The Mass Pike isn't the most scenic of roads- not the eastern end anyway. But the good news is... it does have plenty of service stops - unlike many highways in Massachusetts.
The first major junction you’ll meet heading out of the city on the Mass Pike is Routes 128/95N. Route 128 is as close to a ring road around the city of Boston as you’ll get.
I don’t advise you trying to get anywhere on 128 as it’s very much a commuter and dog-eat-dog road. Personally, I try and avoid the road like the plague, but as it circles the Tech Belt of Boston, if you're traveling in Massachustts on business, then you may have no choice!
Another 15 miles out and you’ll hit Route 495.
Route 495S is a better route to Cape Cod if your Massachusetts travel route is approaching from the west. Route 495S will eventually take you over the Bourne Bridge onto the Cape and Route 6.
Route 495N is your best bet to New Hampshire and Maine if you’re coming from the west.
Route 495N hooks up eventually with Routes 3 and 93 as the central routes into New Hampshire. Further along, Route 495N intersects with Route 95N for the coastal and Eastern part of New Hampshire, but more importantly all points to Maine.
Check the map out to get it clear as it does get a little congested and complicated with highways in the north east corner.
All Points West...
Zooming west on Route 90 you’ll take exit 8 to visit Sturbridge Village.
Sturbridge Village is on Route 20 and a short ride from the toll exits – directions to the village are well-posted after you leave the highway.
The Mass Pike also takes you directly to Springfield, home of the Basketball Hall of Fame, and Six Flags of New England Theme Park. Take exit 6, and then I-291 West 4.2 mi., merging right onto I-91 South.
You’ll see the Basketball Hall of Fame on your right after a few miles – very distinct shape – guess what shape? Wrong - it's a basketball!
To get to Six Flags continue on Route I-91 South to Exit 3 (Agawam). Cross bridge and take first exit. Follow rotary to Rte. 57 West then to Rte. 159 South (Main St.) Continue south 2.9 mi. to Six Flags New England.
Six Flags is seasonal and is open seven days during June-August – and at weekends only in the spring and fall.
And Here's an Alternative Massachusetts Travel Route...
So far I've kept you on Route 90 out west.
But as you leave Springfield you’ve got choices.
By all means stay on Route 90 if your final destination is The Berkshires - this part of The Pike is scenic, and is also interesting as the highest point of the road in Massachusetts.
But if you’re ready for a gentler and slower Massachusetts travel, then north of Springfield off Route 91 you can pick-up Route 2 heading west.
Route 2 is also known as the Mohawk Trail, as it closely follows a trail used by Native Americans for thousands of years, as they moved between NY and Massachusetts during the changing seasons.
The Mohawk Trail is a gorgeous scenic drive in the fall.
During October the ride offers spectacular fall foliage scenery, and there’s plenty of stops for camera, sightseeing, and checking out antiques shops in the surrounding towns.
And here's another suggestion for you...
Don't Leave Home Without This...
In this Massachusetts travel article I’ve covered the major roads. And with the map at the beginning, you should now have a good orientation of Massachusetts, and how to get around. But the real beauty of Massachusetts travel on your vacation is taking the time to explore.
And if you’re anything like me and love to get off the beaten track, then you'll want to pick yourself up a detailed guide and map book. For a selection click this link New England Backroads
Massachusetts Lodging Resources:
Making travel plans is one thing - booking accommodations in a sea of variety offered in Massachusetts can be overwhelming. So I've tried to make it easier for you.To discover where to stay deals, and compare rates and amenities with a trusted and professional travel organization then check out Massachusetts lodging and accommodations by clicking here.
More Massachusetts Travel Resources:
I hope you've enjoyed this article about getting around in Massachusetts during your vacation.And if you'd like to enjoy your visit even more to the Massachusetts area, and grab a bunch more travel resource information at the same time, then here's an offer you can't afford to miss...
Go to Top of Massachusetts Travel Page.
Go to My New England Vacations Home Page.
