By Car in Boston

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By Car

Driving isn't easy in Boston. It's important to plan out a route in advance if you are unfamiliar with the city. There is a profusion of one-way streets, so always keep a map handy. It's also a good idea to pay extra attention to other drivers. Boston drivers have a bad reputation, and you should watch out for those using the emergency breakdown lanes (illegal unless posted otherwise), passing on the right, or turning from the wrong lane.

It's best to park in lots or garages rather than on the street. You're more likely to avoid tickets, accidents, or theft. Remember that the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, a massive highway reconstruction effort in downtown Boston that's also known as the "Big Dig," continues to cause traffic snarls. The latest information on the construction is available on the project's Web site, www.masspike.com/bigdig.

Emergency Services

Dial 911 in an emergency to reach police, fire, or ambulance services. If you're a member of the AAA auto club, call their 24-hour help bureau.

Contact

AAA (800/222-4357).

Gasoline

Gas stations are not plentiful in downtown Boston. Try Cambridge Street (behind Beacon Hill, near Massachusetts General Hospital), near the airport in East Boston, along Commonwealth Avenue or Cambridge Street in Allston/Brighton, or off the Southeast Expressway just south of downtown Boston.

Cambridge service stations can be found along Memorial Drive, Massachusetts Avenue, and Broadway. In Brookline, try Beacon Street or Commonwealth Avenue. Gas stations with 24-hour service can be found at many exits off Route 3 to Cape Cod, suburban Route 128 and Interstate 95, and at service plazas on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Many offer both full and self-service.

Parking

Parking on Boston streets is a tricky business. Some neighborhoods have strictly enforced residents-only rules, with just a handful of two-hour visitors' spaces; others have meters, which usually cost 25¢ for 15 minutes, with a one- or two-hour maximum. Keep a few quarters handy, as most city meters take nothing else.

Parking police officers are ruthless -- it's not unusual to find a ticket on your windshield five minutes after your meter expires. However, most on-street parking is free after 6 PM and on Sunday (but good luck finding a space!). Repeat offenders who don't pay fines may find the "boot" (an immovable steel clamp) secured to one of their wheels.

Major public lots are at Government Center and Quincy Market, beneath Boston Common (entrance on Charles Street), beneath Post Office Square, at the Prudential Center, at Copley Place, and off Clarendon Street near the John Hancock Tower. Smaller lots and garages are scattered throughout downtown, especially around the Theater District and off Atlantic Avenue in the North End. Most are expensive; expect to pay up to $8 an hour or $24 to park all day. The few city garages are a bargain at about $7-$11 per day. Theaters, restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions often provide customers with one or two hours of free parking. Some downtown restaurants offer valet parking.

Road Conditions

Bostonians tend to drive erratically, fail to use turn signals, and often coast through stop signs. These habits, coupled with inconsistent street and traffic signs, one-way streets, and heavy congestion, make Boston a nerve-wracking city to navigate. Many roadways in and around the city are under construction or in need of repairs. Potholes and manhole covers sticking up above the street are the most common hazards; both can cause significant damage to your vehicle if hit head-on. Because drivers usually swerve unexpectedly to avoid these dangers, you should drive cautiously.

Rules of the Road

The speed limit on major highways in Massachusetts is 55 mph-65 mph. Within the city of Boston and surrounding communities, speed limits on local streets are 20 mph-30 mph. In Boston, a right turn at a red light is permitted after stopping if there is no oncoming traffic, unless a no turn on red sign is posted. When in doubt, wait for the green. Rotary, or traffic circle, intersections are fairly common in Boston. When entering a rotary, state law dictates that you yield to any vehicle already in the rotary. In Boston, be alert for one-way streets, "no left turn" intersections, and blocks closed to car traffic.

In Massachusetts, all passengers in private cars are required to wear seat belts. Local police take a zero-tolerance approach to drunk driving. Anyone with a blood-alcohol content of.08 or higher, or who refuses to take the Breathalyzer test, can expect to land in jail.

Massachusetts State law also requires drivers to yield to pedestrians, and all traffic is expected to stop once a pedestrian has entered a crosswalk. Though commonly practiced, jaywalking is discouraged by the police (who have been known to ticket offenders).