Is driving in and out of Boston really as terrible as I've heard?
Apr 13th, 2007, 06:26 PM
#41
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There is a public garage almost next door to the aquarium by the waterfront. From there you can walk everywhere in the Freedom Trail area, North End, ect. Places like museums are a short subway/streetcar ride.
Apr 13th, 2007, 07:10 PM
#42
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cahpxx - funny but true,
For anyone trying to drive in Boston a GPS is useful but you have to be aware that so many streets are closed due to construction.
bblount - there is also parking under Boston Common.
For anyone trying to drive in Boston a GPS is useful but you have to be aware that so many streets are closed due to construction.
bblount - there is also parking under Boston Common.
Apr 14th, 2007, 01:25 AM
#43
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The Big Dig construction in Boston is essentially done - any construction is routine or delayed construction project - a problemj in any city and worse in the summer in northern cities since the dig-up-the-street season is so short.
GPS systems that read instantly off a satellite - the kind that comes installed on newer cars or on the most expensive portable devices - work reasonably well in Boston. Temporary construction is not readable on any of these devices. I have a GPS on my new car and have tested it out in some downtown Boston areas and it is usually correct - very rare instances where it tries to make me turn on a no-left-turn street, but it seems to have made Big Dig adjustments - and I am able to navigate downtown Boston after 25 years here.
However, some of the systems you can rent with rental cars have downloaded info that needs to be updated and I have heard stories about these type things being less accurate in difficult areas.
GPS systems that read instantly off a satellite - the kind that comes installed on newer cars or on the most expensive portable devices - work reasonably well in Boston. Temporary construction is not readable on any of these devices. I have a GPS on my new car and have tested it out in some downtown Boston areas and it is usually correct - very rare instances where it tries to make me turn on a no-left-turn street, but it seems to have made Big Dig adjustments - and I am able to navigate downtown Boston after 25 years here.
However, some of the systems you can rent with rental cars have downloaded info that needs to be updated and I have heard stories about these type things being less accurate in difficult areas.
Apr 16th, 2007, 07:39 AM
#44
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Missypie, it may be because I grew up in Boston and the suburbs and went to college, worked in town and am still there 1/2 of each month, but it is not THAT bad driving in Boston in my opinion -
You may encounter rude drivers and construction
You may get lost and have to drive around the block to reroute
You may need to pull over, look at your map or ask directions again
but I have experienced all these things and more in the past year while driving in Los Angeles, Washington DC , Forida and New York City -
it's not that big a deal, it's not that big a city - you won't get THAT lost - have your directions ahead of time, keep your eyes open and you'll have company in the car they can be your navigators too and keep their eyes open for signage, etc - driving once you are on the pike or rte 2 or any highway and in Lexington and Concord will be like driving many other places.
I would not overthink the driving in /out of Boston part of your trip at all.
You may encounter rude drivers and construction
You may get lost and have to drive around the block to reroute
You may need to pull over, look at your map or ask directions again
but I have experienced all these things and more in the past year while driving in Los Angeles, Washington DC , Forida and New York City -
it's not that big a deal, it's not that big a city - you won't get THAT lost - have your directions ahead of time, keep your eyes open and you'll have company in the car they can be your navigators too and keep their eyes open for signage, etc - driving once you are on the pike or rte 2 or any highway and in Lexington and Concord will be like driving many other places.
I would not overthink the driving in /out of Boston part of your trip at all.
