Help! Best way to travel between NYC and Cape Cod
 

Hi Everyone,
We are going to Cape Cod for July 4th weekend and have heard nothing but horror stories about the traffic! We plan on leaving Friday (can't leave early AM b/c of work) but can leave around 1 - 2 PM. Aside from flying, how would you recommend us getting there? We were thinking of taking Amtrak to Boston (would spend a day in Boston) on the way back and renting a car from there? But it seems we will still get stuck in traffic Friday night over the bridge. Is this where the majority of traffic is? Please help!!! Thanks!!

First, if you're taking the train, why not go to Providence and then rent a car for the rest of the trip. That makes more sense to me than going all the way to Boston and backtracking.
No matter what you decide to do, you just have to face the reality that you are going to hit a lot of traffic that Friday.

You will sit in traffic for many many hours, and the trains will also be a crowded nightmare. It's the 4th of July weekend, and even worse, you're traveling on Friday afternoon. If at all possible, you should try to leave on Thursday if you can't fly.

Sorry I can't be more optimistic -- but I've experienced it before.

We were thinking Boston (vs RI) because we could spend a day there. Do you think getting there late Friday night will help???? Can't leave Thursday unfortunately.

Do it really early. Do it really late. Do it in the middle of the night. Whatever, but go Friday afternoon/evening and you'll be stuck for hours.

Also, try taking I-495 to the Bourne Bridge, instead of Rte 3 and the Sagamore Bridge. That may help a little bit.

Broomstick!!!

Well, there are other ways beside cars (and buses), planes and broomsticks to get to Cape Cod. One can take a ferry from Providence or New Bedford to Martha's Vineyard, and then ferry from MV back to the Cape. Or ferry from Boston to Provincetown.

Couple of questions magic123. When are you planning to leave the Cape? If you're leaving on the 4th, Boston will be very crazy, so keep that in mind. Is driving from NY an option? I'm guessing traffic will be crazy leaving the city, and CT might be fairly heavy, but would it be worse than taking the train, if it's going to be as crowded as others are warning? However you decide to get there, car, or train to Providence or Boston, I would leave at 1 p.m. When you arrive in either Providence or Boston, have a leisurely dinner and head to the Cape after 9 p.m. The later you go, the less traffic there will be. It should only take you an hour to get to either bridge at this time. Lots of people are going to have Friday off, and the daytime traffic will be insane.

BTW, going to Boston is going to add substantially to your travel time on a busy holiday weekend. Unless spending the day in Boston is really important to you, I would just go to Providence. Prov. to the Cape is about the same distance as Boston to the Cape, but travel time can be substantially less. My family on the Cape always flies out of Providence for this reason when they travel. Plus, Providence has some great restaurants and is a nice place to spend a day.

Good luck!

If you stop in Providence, definitely consider taking the Bourne Bridge rather than the Sagamore. I was down there one weekend and the Bourne was clear sailing while the Sagamore was backed up about 6 miles coming off the Cape. Now I think I got lucky but the Sagamore definitely begins backing up well before the Bourne does. Either way you wll hit alot of traffic unless you plan to travel off-hours.

Heading into Boston definitely is adding to your miles but if you want to spend a day in town, I guess Amtrak/rent-a-car is your best bet.

Leaving at 1:30pm puts you in Boston around 5:30 but could be later considering traffic that weekend.

I'd really look into Amtrak to Boston and then Ferry to P-town. It's probably the most relaxing/scenic way. Better book a hotel for the night soon. Pops concert will pack the hotels.

The ferry to Provincetown is a passenger ferry only - so if you want a car ont he Cape, forget that idea.

I seriously would consider leaving at some ungodly hour, such as going home from work, packing, eating dinner, taking a nap and leaving at midnight.

Boston is going to take you about 1 1/2 hour (in traffic) further north than you want to be - so I would also discard that idea.

Other than quitting your job, that is the best I can do). I even think taking train and renting car is going to add connection time to your trip that will also add time.

Here's another possibility - from the airport in Providence (Warwick) fly Cape Air to Hyannis

Take the Tappan Zee Bridge,to 287.Through White Plains,then the Merrit. Exit the Merrit Pky at Stratford, and take 95 East. Go to Providence. You may be able to see Waterfire,on the river downtown, have a great dinner at "Gracie's" oppisite the Trinity Theatre on Westminster. Much easier city to navigate, and quite delightful. After dinner, head to the Cape. The majority of the traffic will have thinned out by 9 p.m.
Returning, go very late on Monday night, or early Tuesday morning, and you'll be fine. Enjoy the weekend! Come see the funky Wellfleet 4th of July parade.And, be sure and taske in W.H.A.T. theater.