Northeast - Boston Area Traffic Question

I'm leaving central NH this evening at 5:30, heading to New Bedford, MA.

That will put me in the boston area around 6:30.

93 straight through the belly of boston or take the 128/95 loop?

I'm not worried about NH - Boston but south of Boston has me worried as there could be a lot of people heading out to the cape.

Thanks for the help

No good answer, but leaving Boston southbound on a Friday afternoon on 93 is usually horrific. Backed up from the tunnel to the split. Personally I'd use the loop, but you'll still pick up some slowdowns. 511 on you mobile will give you up to ate traffic.

No good answer is right. Both ways will b ugly. 128 may b faster. I would have a nice dinner and leave later

Both ways will be packed on a Friday at that time. I do the 128 drive from Newton to Marshfield every day...just plain sucks. Late dinner / leave 1hr later and you will be in better shape.

Live on the S SHore and have been working in the Burlington area for 15 years. I do this drive daily, and I travel both routes. There is no good news here. Average commute 128 to 24 split is about 60-90 minutes from Burlington, with Fridays taking about 30-60 minutes longer. When 128 is a known parking lot I will zip in Rt 2 to the pike and grab the expressway south. That is a pretty quick trip heading inbound at that hour, so I'd say that it is no worse than 93 south from 128 at the same time. Once in the tunnel you can plan on at least 90 minutes on a Friday to do the 9 miles. 24 won't be as bad as Rt 3 but it will be rough at LEAST down to Brockton

Bottom line is 6:30, on a Friday in the summer heading north to south is going to be a long trip. Nothing but bad news, sorry.

Why not run NH 93 S to 495 S and get to New Bedford that way?

I rather slit my wrists than run thru Boston.

Why not run NH 93 S to 495 S and get to New Bedford that way?

I rather slit my wrists than run thru Boston.

Actually that is a good idea. I used to go that way when when I worked in Littleton, getting off at 24. It's a LONG ride, but it'll take fewer years off your life. Marlboro is a hotspot and can be a bitch, but otherwise you should move pretty well. Not all that familiar with the patterns between Rt and 93

495 south to 24 east to 140 south right into New Bedford......it's is a 1 hour drive once you pass the Mass Turnpike (rte 90). I drive there every weekend this is the only way to go

495 south to 24 SOUTH (not east) for about 2-3 exits to Rt. 140 is NO DOUBT your best best!!

you could even go 495 to Middleboro, then 18 into New Bedford....

I was just testing you.....24 south is the correct answer ;)

Why not run NH 93 S to 495 S and get to New Bedford that way?

I rather slit my wrists than run thru Boston.x2 for 495

I live south of Boston and travel 128 daily to work. Unless there is and accident it is always faster to go right through the city on 93 than to around. It's going to take at least 45 minutes to get through the city just be perpared and put up with it.

On a positive note in the summer many people get and early start so it may not be to bad at 6:30.

495 south to 24 east to 140 south right into New Bedford......it's is a 1 hour drive once you pass the Mass Turnpike (rte 90). I drive there every weekend this is the only way to go

:thumbsup: This is the way to go.

When I worked downtown, it could take 1.5hours just to get to the Braintree split on Friday.

Many thanks, all.

495 south to 24 south to 140 south it is.

You will notice the hung up traffic is all on the NB side from Rt 2 up past the 93 interchange.

Outside of Rt 9 I don't ever recall any issues (oopps, be on your toes at 290, stay left) unless there is a smash or a concert.

I'll drive an extra 45 minutes if I'm rolling versus sitting in traffic watching my blood pressure climb.

Many thanks, all.

495 south to 24 south to 140 south it is.

That time of night you may slow down just before rt 3 and maybe a little after it. After that it's clear sailing.

AS little late but my wife sat in a traffic jam on 495 south coming from the north. Not sure if it has been cleared.

Boston just sucks, no matter how you look at it.

Generally I agree with the 495 recommendation. However, I took Turnpike to 495 to get to Foxboro last Thursday for the Saints pre-season game. It took me two hours to get to Foxboro from Burlington!

I waited to move back to Boston until the Big Dig was complete. No one told me they would then proceed to dig up Route 128 loop...guess we can thank the Obama stimulus money for that one! They wasted a bunch of money on meaningless electronic signs that tell you what you already know...stuck in traffic!

Generally I agree with the 495 recommendation. However, I took Turnpike to 495 to get to Foxboro last Thursday for the Saints pre-season game. It took me two hours to get to Foxboro from Burlington!

I waited to move back to Boston until the Big Dig was complete. No one told me they would then proceed to dig up Route 128 loop...guess we can thank the Obama stimulus money for that one! They wasted a bunch of money on meaningless electronic signs that tell you what you already know...stuck in traffic!

There is no good option when there is a game. It just sucks.

Agree. Gave up my MNF tickets tomorrow because it's no fun driving with rush hour traffic to an after work game. At least with Fenway, you can take the T from work downtown. Sundays the traffic really is not an issue.