Car Travel in Cape Cod

To reach Cape Cod from Boston (60 mi), take Route I-93 south, then Route 3 south, and cross the Sagamore Bridge. After finding your way out of a rotary, you'll be on U.S. 6, the Cape's main artery, leading toward Hyannis and Provincetown. From western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and upstate New York, take I-84 east to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and take I-495 south to the Bourne Bridge. From New York City and southern Connecticut and Rhode Island, take I-95 north toward Providence, where you pick up I-195 east (toward Fall River-New Bedford) to Route 25 east to the Bourne Bridge. From the Bourne Bridge you can take Route 28 south to Falmouth and Woods Hole (about 15 mi), or follow signs to U.S. 6 if you're headed elsewhere on the Cape.

Driving times can vary widely, depending on traffic. In good driving conditions you can reach the Sagamore Bridge from Boston in about 1½ hours, the Bourne Bridge from New York City in about 5 hours.

On summer weekends, when more than 100,000 cars a day cross each bridge, make every effort to avoid arriving in late afternoon, especially on holidays. And be sure to give yourself extra time if you're driving to any of the ferry terminals to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. U.S. 6 and Route 28 are heavily congested eastbound on Friday evening, westbound on Sunday afternoon, and in both directions on Saturday (when rental homes change hands). On the north shore, the Old King's Highway—Route 6A—parallels U.S. 6 and is a scenic country road passing through occasional towns.

When you're in no hurry, use back roads—you won't get there any faster, but they're less frustrating and much more rewarding. Heading from the Bourne Bridge toward Falmouth, County Road and Route 28A are prettier alternatives to Route 28, and Sippewisset Road meanders near Buzzards Bay between West Falmouth and Woods Hole. Just remember that some of these roads travel through residential areas, so keep your speed down.

Driving to Provincetown from other points on the Cape is mostly a scenic adventure. The wooded surrounds of Truro break into a breathtaking expanse of open water and sand dunes, with the skyline of Provincetown beyond. The busiest time is early morning—especially on days when the sun is reluctant to shine—when it seems that everyone on Cape Cod is determined to make it to Provincetown. Traffic is heaviest around Wellfleet, and because the road is just two lanes until North Truro, it can be slow going. Except during the traffic-heavy season, you'll find the drive from Wellfleet to Provincetown beautiful and only 25 minutes in duration.

Traffic delays often result from congestion at the Sagamore and Bourne bridges, but as of this writing, the state was replacing the much-despised traffic rotary on the mainland side of the Sagamore Bridge with a direct "flyover" road, which will connect Route 3 to the bridge, with exits leading to and from U.S. 6. The state predicts this will cut down the average trip onto the Cape by about 20 minutes. Construction is slated for completion in spring 2007.

Traffic can be a challenge on the islands, especially in season. Nantucket is small enough that one can easily get around on foot or by public transportation, but on Martha's Vineyard, it can be handy to have a car if you really want to see the whole island and travel freely among the different towns. Bringing a car over on the ferry in summer requires reservations far in advance, costs almost double what it does off-season, and necessitates standing in long lines—it's sometimes easier and more economical to rent a car once you're on the island, and then only for the days you plan on exploring.

And consider public transportation and taxis if you're only making a few trips to different parts of the island, which has very good bus service that can get you to just about every major sight, village, and beach. Where you stay and what you plan on seeing can greatly influence your transportation plans. As soon as you've booked a room, discuss the different options for getting around Martha's Vineyard with your innkeeper or hotel staff.

Parking

Parking, in general, is a great challenge across much of Cape Cod and the islands from mid-June through early September, although many towns have metered lots and street parking or flat-fee or hourly pay lots. Popular and congested downtowns such as Falmouth, Provincetown, Hyannis, Oak Bluffs, Nantucket Town, and Chatham tend to prove especially tough. A number of smaller communities even have free street parking and municipal lots. In general, however, anytime you can walk, bike, or cab it somewhere, or you're able to travel in one car instead of two or more, do so. Off-season, parking is rarely a problem anywhere on the Cape or islands.

Rules of the Road

In Massachusetts, highway speed limits are 55 mph near urban areas, 60 or 65 mph elsewhere. Speed limits on U.S. 6 on the Cape vary as it changes from four lanes to two lanes. Radar detectors are legal in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts permits a right turn on a red light (after a full stop) unless a sign says otherwise. Also, when you approach one of the Cape's numerous rotaries (traffic circles), note that the vehicles already in the rotary have the right of way and that those vehicles entering the rotary must yield. Be careful: some drivers forget (or ignore) this principle.

Massachusetts law requires that drivers strap children under age five (or under 40 pounds) into approved child-safety seats. Kids ages 5 to 12 must wear seatbelts. Drivers (but not other passengers over age 12) are legally required to wear seatbels, but they can only be ticketed for not wearing them if they're pulled over for some other reason.