Travel
MassDOT says travelers should avoid mid-day and afternoon travel on Friday and Saturday.
Boston is among the top Labor Day weekend destinations in America this year, according to AAA, and those hitting the road will have plenty of company.
“As Labor Day weekend approaches, we want to remind everyone to drive safely and without distractions, plan ahead, and allow for extra time because of the increase in travel volumes we usually see this time of year,” said Jonathan Gulliver, highway administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in a statement.
MassDOT says travelers should avoid mid-day and afternoon travel on Friday and Saturday due to expected peak congestion. After that, Sunday will see heavier traffic throughout the day and Monday will see heavier traffic during mid-day and afternoon peak hours. The heaviest traffic will be on Tuesday with delays expected throughout the day and into the evening.
Drivers traveling from Boston to Manchester on I-93 N will find one of the most congested routes in the nation, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data. Motorists will experience a 101% increase over normal traffic levels and at its peak congestion on Monday at 12:15 p.m. it will take 1 hour and 25 minutes, according to INRIX.
The best time to hit the road during Labor Day weekend, according to AAA, is before 1 p.m. on Thursday; before noon on Friday; between 6 and 10 a.m. on Saturday; before 11 a.m. on Sunday; and before noon on Monday, according to AAA.
As for the worst time to drive this weekend, it’s between 1 and 8 p.m. on Thursday; between noon and 8 p.m. on Friday; between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday; between noon and 5 p.m. on Sunday; and between 1 and 4 p.m. on Monday.
MassDOT reports it has done the following to prepare for busy roads:
— The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will begin earlier than usual in the afternoons, at 2 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. The HOV lane will have regular morning hours on Thursday and Friday and will be closed in the morning and afternoon on Monday.
— The additional “swing lane” on Route 1A southbound at the Sumner Tunnel will not be open on Monday and will resume on Tuesday.
“For anyone who may encounter any type of emergency vehicle with flashing lights activated, we want to remind drivers to do their part and slow down, move over, and ensure those responding to an incident have the space they need to safely clear the scene as quickly as possible,” said Gulliver.
Travelers can download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, and real-time traffic conditions before taking to the roads. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts.
Folks can also follow @MassDOT on X to receive updates on road and traffic conditions or dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
Sign up for Scenic Six
Navigate the endless possibilities of New England travel with Boston.com.
