Driving TO Boston without driving IN Boston
 

I'm really at my wits end trying to figure this out, and although I'm a newbie, I've got to ask my first question sometime, right?

I will be traveling to a conference in Boston the week of June 11-16. This will be my first time in Boston. My company has graciously allowed me to take my family along, but they will not pay to fly them there. Because of many other circumstances involved in this, we decided to make a road trip out of it and drive up from Nashville. (Not a big deal, we're taking 3 days to get there).

I've read enough of the guides to know that I do NOT want to drive or park in downtown Boston. We love to walk, and the T looks like it would get us everywhere we want to go. But that leaves a problem that I can't quite figure out: Where do we park the car for the week (that doesn't cost a fortune), and how do we get our luggage to the hotel (Lenox - I think it's in the Back Bay)?

At first we figured we'd drive to Logan, park in economy, take the shuttle to the terminals, then turn around and take the downtown shuttle. $14 a day parking I can live with. But is this feasable?

Others have suggested we park at one of the outlying T stations with cheap parking, and that would be cool any day but the first and last, when we'll be hauling a good amount of luggage.

We will be arriving on a Sunday, so possibly we could park for an hour or two at the Pru (which is the very expensive parking lot for the Lenox), then drive to a T station and park the car for the week. Complicating things, there's a RedSox game that day, so the lot may be full (???).

Any advice on the best way to handle this situation would be appreciated.

Could you park as far out as the Riverside station?

Try the MBTA/Amtrak station at Rt 128 (which is right off Rt 95) South of Boston in Canton/Blue Hills for long term parking ($ 10/day) and direct train service to Back Bay station which is across from your hotel.
See link below:
http://tinyurl.com/p4wnq
Have a nice stay.

Well it depends how much you consider is a fortune. Honestly, I wouldn't be too worried about driving into Boston and finding a spot where you can leave your car while you're here. It's not that bad to drive in. Obviously, once you're here you can use the T to get around. The Pru will be expensive to park, you could try the Beacon Hill garage, which may be cheaper. You could park at a commuter rail station as well but that's definitely a less convenient option with luggage, etc.

You'll have a great time in Boston though, I promise!

I drive in and out of Boston daily, its not as bad as one might think. Okay, I know where I'm going...but rather I should say I "used" to know where I am going. That's due to the changes which don't affect you since you never knew the routes anyway.

The Lenox Hotel is on a main street that is easy to get to and everyone knows. Now, you need to ask the Lenox where the least expensive parking is near them. Perhaps the Prudential Building. Having your car handy will enable you to get out to Lexington/Concord for some history or to Salem for witch history.

I would hope that the Lenox can print you out some type of MapQuest directions, which make it easy enough.

I say drive ! :)

I agree that it is not that hard to get to the Lenox. It would actually be more difficult to drive there from the airport, IMO, than from whatever highway you will be on. If you are coming into town via the Masspike, it will actually be quite simple, as Boston driving goes. If you pay $15/day in some remote lot and the hotel is $30, it is only a $75 difference and you will have the convenience. So, I would say just live w/whatever the daily parking fee at the hotel is and see the city via public transportation.

Intrepid: Riverside doesn't APPEAR to be too far out (my mapreading skills are not that good. About 10-15 miles, right?)

joethekay: The commuter rail from Rt 28 looks like an excellent choice (and the schedules fit our timeline). Each of the 4 of us would be carrying a bag (2 of them the largest size) and my son would have his 3-foot stuffed bear with him. Would this amount of luggage be OK on the commuter rail?

wyatt: You have a point about "a fortune" being relative - If I'm paying $229 a night for the hotel, why am I worried about $38 a day for parking? But then again, my company is paying for the hotel, I have to spring for the parking ;)

Olga, one thing in favor of just parking at the Pru is that it seems to be real convenient to I-90. Do you know if it fills up during RedSox games? Seems to me it wouldn't, since mass transit is so much easier. BTW, all the horror stories aside, I've driven through Atlanta during rush hour - NOTHING could be more harrowing than that. But it's almost universal advice to avoid driving in downtown Boston. We've got a GPS, but if street directions change as often as we've been warned, that may not be very helpful.

I'm not sure if the Pru fills up on game days. I would just call the hotel and ask their opinion because it really would be a very convenient place for you to park, it's RIGHT off the Mass Pike and only a block from the Lenox.

I also offer my opinion that if you can drive in another older city, you can drive into Boston. Really, it's not Baghdad - just a congested city with sometimes confusing layout and expensive parking. I would rather deal with that than hauling all that luggage and family on MBTA - you are getting free hotel, so I would spring for the few extra dollars for parking.

Try not to drive in during rush hour, be patient, expect to get lost, remember that all streets go one way in the opposite direction from the one you desire, and be aware that since it is a relatively small city geographically, you won't end up 20 miles from your destination even if you get lost.

You could even post your approach roads (depending on where you are spending previous night) and we might get into a good argument here about best route to take.

At least it is better than driving in Atlanta, where every road is named Peach something and it is maddeningly confusing.

Gail,
We'll be coming in from Whippany, NJ. Mapquest says to take 684 to 84 to 290 to 90 (MassPike). It does have us make a weird circle when getting off exit 22 (Pru center), but that's probably because I entered the Lenox's Exeter St address.

As an aside, to keep from looking like a redneck idiot, how does one pronounce "Exeter"? Is it "exit - er", or "Ex-ee-ter" ?

Its not about Boston traffic or congestion (well, it is partly), it is about signage.

There was a hilarious article in the Boston Globe within the past year: they gave 3 out-of-town reporters Mapquest directions, and a destination about 10 minutes away (for a local). The reporters needed times like 30 minutes and 2 hours to get there because they kept getting lost.

And it is pronounced `exit-er' (or more properly, `exita', like `chowda').

That route looks good. And you do have to make a weird circle when you get off the exit but, really, the Lenox is super close and it should be easy to find.

IMHO, the idea of parking at the Route 128 Amtrak station and taking the commuter rail into town, just to save on parking fees, is insane. The time, hassle, and cost would completely outweigh whatver the dollar savings would be. June 11 is a Sunday, when the commuter rail trains run less frequently (roughly every 2 hours); the earliest train, 12:05, will be full of baseball fans. Your departure date is a Friday. No, the commuter rail trains are NOT luggage- friendly, they are packed with commuters, every single seat, they do not have accommodations for suitcases or 3-foot-teddies. One-way fare is $3.50, so if you're a family of 4, that's 4x7= $28 spent on train fares, which si apparently one day's savings on the in-town parking fee.

The Mass Pike (AKA I-90) deposits you in Boston literally a couple of blocks from the hotel. Park there. I would speak to the hotel concierge to get specific directions from your Pike exit to the appropriatea parking garage entrance.

Driving "inside" Boston is horrible. But if you come from the highway (MassPike/I-90) just to find your hotel and park your car, that should be no problem.

It's easier just to walk or take subway for sightseeing inside Boston. So, you wouldn't need your car unless you go to the outlying towns (Salem, Newburyport, Glouester, etc...).

There are quite a few parking lots or garages (around $15-20) that are cheaper than the Lenox or the Pru in downtown Boston (around $30). Why don't you just drop off everyone and the luggage at the hotel, park at a cheaper lot, then go back to the hotel. This way, your car is still readily available and you avoid the skyhigh parking rates.

If you like this, one of us here should be able to give you tips on where to park....

If parking at the Pru garage seems too expensive for your stay, then it seems to me the best way would be to drive to the hotel and dump the baggage, kids, etc at the hotel and go drive back out to park the car at the Rt 128 station and forgettaboutit for the duration.
Then just all pile onto the train when you are ready to go home and claim your car.I wouldn't try lugging all those bags and teddy bear during rush hour though (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm) Just not enough room for everyone/everything on board the train then.
Just remembered, you can also try the Woburn/Anderson park and ride lot.See link: http://tinyurl.com/o5pny
This is also on commuter rail -Lowell line and You may need to park at the overnight section where the Logan Express bus shuttle departs. (Check signs) Its on the North side off Rt 93. Maybe its easier to navigate to and from Boston on this stretch. Many choices. Pick one and Go for it.

I would call the Lenox and find out what rate they have with the Pru or another garage for guests with cars.

Yes, the garage can fill up on game day, but not on a weekend.

The "weird circle" you'd need to drive is because there is series of one way streets and you need to loop around to the hotel. the hotel is on the corner of exeter and Boyleston streets.
Back Bay is probably the easiest parts of Boston to drive in. the streets are in a grid. Also the streets are alabetical from the Boston Garden (Arlington Sreet) down to Mass Ave ( ok, a few letters are skipped I,J,K,L). The streets alternate one way every other street. So if you get lost you can just make another circle. Newbury goes one way, Boyleston the other and Commonwealth (Comm Ave) goes both directions.
Drive in. Park the car. Don't worry.
When leaving the hotel to get back on the Mass Pike you can either get back on at Copley (exit 22) or drive down Newbury Street and get on at Mass Ave.

You guys will have a great time in Boston, and make some time to do the walking tour of Boston which starts at the State House and meanders all over downtown Boston, to Little Italy and more. Lots of great history for the kids.

Also on the way to or from Boston, you might want to stop at Sturbridge Village which is just off the Mass Pike in Western Mass. It is a very well done restoration/town with people dressed in period clothing and actual working farm and other trades of the time being demonstrated again a great history lesson for the kids.

Legal Seafood at the Pru Center is a good spot for a nice family dinner.

Have a GREAT time.

After the weird loop, you are just blocks from the hotel - so if you get lost, keep telling youself "I know it must be here someplace". Signage for hotel is not all that large, if I remember. Just be careful you do not take another weird loop, because it will put you back on Mass Pike. Hard to describe, but maddening if it happens.

I couldn't possibly explain this as well as some of the other posters, the loop that is. Been there. Done that. :)

Just keep you eye out for the Lindt Chocolate Shop, it's right on the corner next to the Lenox.