Cranachin

Also forgot to mention that as far as I recall, there is no direct connection from the Sumner Tunnel (Route 1A) to the Tobin Bridge (US-1) - cw's suggested route. To do that one, you would have to drive on "downtown" Boston streets for part of the way.

Someone correct me if I am wrong on that, please.

hawksbill

Now that was an excellent and thorough summary of all the options. Nicely done. And I stand corrected, it is indeed exits 25/24, not 23/24. Shown here: http://tinyurl.com/6eo6bf2

I believe you are right, Cranachin, that there's no way to get from the Sumner Tunnel to the Tobin Bridge without driving on some surface streets, and probably over the Charlestown Bridge. I would rank this the worst of the options.

ozgirl

You guys are fantastic!!! When I get home tonight will go through the motions as suggested for the alternatives but I feel much more confident already.
The return will be on a Sunday maybe around lunchtime coming from northwest ish. We will have been at Niagara Falls on the Friday night and overnighting somewhere Saturday en route back to Logan.

emalloy

Do insist on the transponder for the tolls, most rental companies will have them. If you haven't used one, you just get into the lane that says "Fast Lane" in Massachusetts, and "Easy Pass" or something similar in other states. You then drive through the toll booth at 15 m/h and are on your way, no fumbling for change and waiting for the cars in front to get a ticket. The cost of the tolls will be added to your rental bill

Have a fantastic time.

cw

Oxgirl, I'll stick by my tunnel recommendation and say to take the Ted Williams tunnel from the airport, take the I-90 W ramp, and exit 24 for 93 N. After merging get in the left lane and take exit 27 to Rt. 1 North and the Tobin Bridge.

If you're feeling like you can deal with the more local roads and rotaries, follow your GPS.

If you have the transponder, in Mass. and Maine you need to go through the marked toll booths as emalloy says--in N.H. you can maintain your 60 MHP speed and head right through the marked lanes where they have taken out the toll booths.

Good luck. Another suggestion for a pleasant lunch but not a seafood place is the restaurant at Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine. You get off the Maine turnpike in York (just before the toll booth), head east towards Rt. 1 and at the stop light there, head right across the street to Stonewall Kitchen. It's an easy off and on the highway stop. They make all kinds of jellies, chips, spreads etc. and they offer many samples in their store.

ozgirl

Hi guys, just wanted to update and say thanks again ...... Currently having toast with Stonewall peach and raspberry champagne jam in our MDI cottage, sun shining, life is great!
We negotiated the 'jug handle' U turn and headed north on 1A, through the roundabouts and ultimately on to US1 with no problem at all.

Far more stressful was the 48 hours prior to us departing Oz when half of the major airports in Australia experienced significant extended closures due to volcanic ash from a Chilean volcano halfway around the world! We managed to get out in a window of opportunity, there have been more closures in the last couple of days as the ash does a second 'lap' around resulting in chaos again for Australia and NZ.

Thanks anyway for taking the time to offer valuable advice, trip report to follow when we're home which won't be for another few weeks.

amyb

>>We negotiated the 'jug handle' U turn and headed north on 1A, through the roundabouts and ultimately on to US1 with no problem at all.

hawksbill

Glad to hear it worked out! I think that, once you've successfully negotiated two New England rotaries, you're probably entitled to some sort of merit badge!

It was a gray rainy day in Boston today. I'm happy you got some sun up in Maine.

cw

Thanks for reporting back. Congratulations--you're a Boston driver!

Glad you're enjoying Stonewall Kitchen jam too.

Hope the "ash" doesn't disrupt your return flight but it was lucky you were able to leave in the midst of it. Enjoy your stay in Maine.

Dreams64

Goodness Ozgirl, my friend and I (from Melbourne) will be doing exactly the same, and this post has me terrified. If you have time when you get back home to email me with tips and what worked/didnt I would love to hear it. We will be driving from Boston to Vermont, across to NH, Maine then back to Boston round trip 7 days.

Enjoy the rest of your trip - would love to hear where else you visited.

Cheers,

[email protected]

ozgirl

Hi dreams64, am in the process of posting (an extensive!) trip report on the Canada forum if you are interested as we have only just returned home but the drive out of Boston was no problem at all!