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According to Yahoo Maps, this is a 352 mile drive at about 6.5 hours. What is the realistic drive time on the busy Columbus Day holiday if one were to leave St. Andrews at about 8:00a.? Is there such a thing as "beating the traffic" on this route on this day?
Crossing over the US/Canadian border gives me an hour...So, if I were to allow an hour for traffic, that would get me into Boston at about 2:30p.m. Or should I plan for even greater delays?
Thanks!
Michaela
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Realistic Drive Time from St. Andrews, NB to Boston, MA on Columbus Day
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FWIW, Google maps says 7 hours from St. Andrews to Boston. I don't know what traffic will be like, be remember that I-95 is a toll road in both Southern Maine and New Hampshire, and there can be back-ups at the toll plazas. Not sure how early the back-ups will kick in (but NH toll plaza is near the MA border).
And how much time are you allowing for lunch, bathroom/stretching breaks, crossing the border, refueling the car, and such?
Based on your comments on another thread:
What is the sightseeing time-versus-dollars benefit to keeping the car until you fly out (paying for extra rental day plus parking) versus returning it a day early and using public transit to get to the airport?
Also, you said you hope to do Prudential Skywalk, Newbury Street, Public Garden, Boston Common, and Freedom Trail after you get to Boston. That sounds a little unreasonable (I know you are getting tired of hearing that!), but consider:
Sunset will be at about 6 PM on October 12. That means you would have 3 hours of daylight (and 2 hours or less until attractions close) if you hit the sidewalk at 3 PM (which probably means you need to arrive at 2 in order to park, check in, freshen up, etc.).
Assuming 10 minutes from hotel to Prudential Center, 30 minutes for the Observatory, and 30 minutes to walk straight to the Freedom Trail with no window shopping, it is now after 4:00. You can still see the outsides of buildings, but you will miss the insides of most, if not all.
Of course, unless you would rather see the city by daylight from the Observatory, you could save it until after dinner. You could save the window shopping, too, but I am not sure that is the best idea for a woman alone after dark.
The big unknowns are how long it will take you to get over the border (you could lose the hour you gain) and how long it will take you at the tolls. If you have EZ Pass, you will be better off at the tolls. In addition to tolls at the end of the Maine Turnpike and in NH, there is a toll at the Mystic Tobin Bridge just north of Boston.
Cranachin offers an all-too-rare reminder that the internet map services tell you only driving time; they do not allow for food, fuel, or facilities stops, and in seven hours of driving, you will need at least some of these.
I have heard from friends that the wait at St. Stephen/Calais has been long this summer, but by October things will slow down a lot. Although it is a busy weekend here in Maine, I don't think you'll have much traffic up north. Traffic will build mostly south of Portland and it will all depend on which day you're traveling. If its Sunday or Monday it will be the worst. I would say 8 hours, including brief stops, but not including any wait at the border. Make sure you have passports ready.
I was just looking for a realistic time so that I can plan my morning departure time accordingly. I'll plan for about 8 hours.
I have investigated the cost benefit of returning the vehicle earlier rather than paying for parking, but I'm not finding any benefits there at all. I'll continue to watch rental rates in the area to see if I can get a cheaper rate that does provide a benefit.
Micheala - enjoy your trip - weather looks pretty good and trees are turning! Remember - BATH Maine has a lovely visitor center and bathroom! dbldidit from Boston
I had a family medical emergency and had to cancel the trip. I'm hoping to try again next year. Thanks for the help!
Wow - so sorry you had to cancel. I heard that the traffic North was impossible, so perhaps it worked out for the best - except for the emergency. dbl