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| Home > City Guide - Boston - Getting There By Road | ||
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Getting There By Road Driving is on the right and the minimum driving age in Massachusetts is 16.5 years. The speed limit on most major highways is 88kph (55mph) and is strictly enforced. On sections of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), the speed limit is 104kph (65mph). Elsewhere, limits range from 32kph to 80kph (30-45mph). Technically, overtaking should only be done on the outside lane, although, in reality, cars on a five-lane highway regularly pass on both sides. It is possible to turn right at a red traffic light after stopping – unless otherwise indicated. At crossroads without traffic lights, the four-way stop system means that it is first come first served for right of way. While most non-US driver’s licences are acceptable, it is best to bring an International Driving Permit. Children under 12 years of age are required to be protected with an approved car seat or safety belt. Massachusetts encourages all passengers to wear seat belts and strictly enforces the drink-driving law of 0.02% maximum alcohol to blood ratio. The American Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 222 1333) can provide information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries. Emergency breakdown service: AAA (800) AAA HELP/222 4357 Routes to the city: There are two main road arteries leading into Boston – the I-93 and the I-90. The I-93 (often called the ‘Central Artery’) cuts through the central Downtown running north–south and keeping close to the waterfront. The I-90 comes into the city centre travelling west–east. This road is known locally as the ‘Masspike’ (the Massachusetts Turnpike). These two roads meet the ring road arc of the I-95 (known locally as Route 128). Access to Downtown from the northeast and the airport is via road tunnels. The Sumner Tunnel (US$2 toll) is incoming and the Callahan Tunnel (no toll) is outgoing. The I-90 west goes to Albany or before Albany, the I-84 branches off the I-90 to head southwest towards Hartford, from where it is possible to take the I-91 in the direction of New York City. The I-93 heads northwards towards Canada. Driving times to Boston: From Hartford (Connecticut) – 2 hours; Albany (New York) – 3 hours 20 minutes; New York City – 4 hours 15 minutes; Montreal (Canada) – 6 hours 30 minutes. Coach services: South Station, on the junction of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue, is the central coach station. Greyhound (tel: (617) 526 1800 or (800) 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) operates services throughout the USA (a standard one-way Boston–New York ticket costs US$42). Peter Pan/Trailways Bus Lines (tel: (617) 965 7040 or (800) 343 9999; website: www.peterpanbus.com) go all over New England. Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway buses (tel: (508) 746 0378; website: www.p-b.com) go to the South Shore and Cape Cod. Bonanza Buses (tel: (401) 751 8800 or (888) 751 8800; website: www.bonanzabus.com) cover western Massachusetts and southwards to New York. |
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