Travel Time Around Boston/Salem

[ruttzy]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping you can help me out. H & I are going on a road trip to Nova Scotia and will be travelling on the I-90 through Massachusetts and then up through Maine. I would like to make a quick side visit to Salem, MA. Which would involve going closer to Boston and taking the I-95 rather than staying away from Boston and taking the I-495 around the whole area.

So to those who live locally, is the I-95 that skirts around Boston, really that much busier/slower than the I-495. I don't want to lose too much time by taking the wrong Interstate, Salem's not worth the stop if the I-95 gets incredibly slow.

Thanks for any advice!!! I really appreciate it!

[Redpoppy]

You won't be driving through Boston at least (had to look at map). If you avoid rush hour it won't be horrible unless there is an accident.

[ruttzy]

Awesome thank you so much guys! It will be on a Sunday around lunchtime, so hopefully there will be very little traffic! Thanks again!

[tardyfortheparty]

Traffic on 495 vs 95 is not going to be that different. Salem is not exactly easy on/easy off 95 but is a great detour for your trip.

[tardyfortheparty]

Also are you driving the whole way to Nova Scotia or cutting off some of the drive with thr Cat or a ferry in Maine?

[ruttzy]

Driving the whole way. Spreading it out over a couple of days though.

[LoveTrains]

Sunday will be fine. Salem is still at least 15-20 minutes off 95, though. You have to take 128 to route 114 which is like the only road in or out of town. Let me know if you want Salem recs, I lived there for 5ish years.

[Deleted]

Why not just go up Route 1 instead of takign 95?

[LoveTrains]

Jul 23, 2012 6:13:18 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Why not just go up Route 1 instead of takign 95?

Because Route 1 is a total clusterfuck and doesn't even go to Salem?

I don't recommend that at any time of the day.

If you want to get to Boston from Salem, the fastest way with no traffic would actually be route 1A (the A is the important part).

[tardyfortheparty]

Jul 21, 2012 16:37:31 GMT -5 ruttzy said:

Driving the whole way. Spreading it out over a couple of days though.

Definitely need a few days for driving. I would strongly suggest looking into the Cat if it will still be running out of Bar Harbor when you go....it cuts off a ton of mileage, much of which is less scenic & you will have more time in Nova Scotia, where you will still have a lot of driving if you want to do much touring.