AAA’s Report Unveils Best and Most Difficult Times to Travel in Boston During July 4th Weekend
It is advised to depart early for the backyard barbecue. Travelers are being cautioned by transportation officials to anticipate heavy traffic during the extended July 4th holiday.
AAA predicts that the Independence Day travel period, spanning from Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4, will establish a new record for the number of Americans opting to travel by car for the holiday. AAA estimates that 43.2 million individuals will drive to their destinations, marking a 2.4 percent increase from 2022’s figure of 42.2 million, and a 4 percent rise from 2019’s count of 41.5 million.
The decrease in gas prices could contribute to the rise. Based on AAA’s gas price data, the average cost of gas in Massachusetts is now $3.55 per gallon, whereas it was $4.91 per gallon a year ago. AAA and INRIX, a traffic data analysis company, predict that Friday will be the busiest day on the roads, with average travel times anticipated to increase by almost 30 percent.
Major metropolitan areas like Boston, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., are anticipated to experience the most severe traffic congestion. To avoid the heaviest congestion, INRIX suggests that travelers should consider leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m.
According to AAA’s travel forecast, the least favorable time to drive on Friday will be between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Specifically in the Boston area, the peak congestion is expected to happen on Friday at 11 a.m. on Route 3 South, as traffic heading towards Cape Cod reaches its highest point.
Starting from 9:30 p.m. on July 4, rides on MBTA subway, bus, and commuter rail services will be free of charge. Officials have announced that the subway will follow a modified Saturday schedule until 3 p.m., after which it will switch to a weekday schedule.
On July 4, the commuter rail will operate on a weekend schedule, and officials have confirmed that the last trains departing from North Station and South Station will be delayed by 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks.
Lately, the Lynn ferry will not be in service, and the direct Hingham to Boston ferry route will have no service as well. For detailed MBTA schedule information, please visit www.mbta.com/holidays.According to officials, on July 4, the MBTA bus services, Silver Line, and RIDE service will adhere to a Sunday schedule.
The Hingham/Hull/Logan to Boston ferry will follow a Saturday schedule, while the Charlestown and East Boston ferries will operate on a weekend schedule. Unfortun
In preparation for the holiday, the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on Interstate 93, connecting Boston and Quincy, will open earlier than usual. It will be accessible starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Friday. However, on July 3, the HOV lane will revert to its regular schedule, and on July 4, it will not be in operation.
Attention, motorists in the Boston area: please be aware that the Sumner Tunnel will undergo closure for repairs beginning on July 5. State officials caution that drivers traveling into Boston from the North Shore may encounter significant traffic congestion and strongly recommend utilizing the discounted and free transit services provided during the two-month tunnel closure.
These services include complimentary rides on the Blue Line and the East Boston ferry. A comprehensive list of the available free and discounted services can be found on the tunnel project’s website at www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel.
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