Any MA folks?

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wander2039

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I'm going out there for training in Westford in a couple weeks. There happens to be a trade show going on in Sturbridge that I'd need to be there by 7p. The training will get over by 5p. How's traffic thru there at that time? By the maps it says it would take a little over a hour. Probably cutting it close but I'm not familiar with anything out there.
 
I'm originally from Lowell so very familiar with that trip. I usually go 290 if I'm heading out the Pike. It will cut a few miles off, and some money off the toll, on your trip. 290 usually moves fairly well, but it is not a 65 mph road by any means. 495 will likely be fairly heavy heading SB at that hour at least past route 2 and if you did choose to get on the Pike from 495 you'd probably have a slight backup through the tolls. MA really is bad with the SpeedPass system. It's poorly marked and not all lanes accept it. Give it an hour and a half or so like Trav says.
 
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
I'm originally from Lowell so very familiar with that trip. I usually go 290 if I'm heading out the Pike. It will cut a few miles off, and some money off the toll, on your trip. 290 usually moves fairly well, but it is not a 65 mph road by any means. 495 will likely be fairly heavy heading SB at that hour at least past route 2 and if you did choose to get on the Pike from 495 you'd probably have a slight backup through the tolls. MA really is bad with the SpeedPass system. It's poorly marked and not all lanes accept it. Give it an hour and a half or so like Trav says.
I grew up in Chelmsford. But left MA. in '80.
 
Rte 2 to 190 is a good option if there's a wreck on 495/290. 2 is insane but 190 peaceful. WBZ 1030 AM used to/ still has "traffic on the 3's" every ten minutes. You can probably go 85mph on 190 and 290 and stay with traffic. I think you'll make your thing. Budget 1/2 hr at least for Worcester traffic, and cover your brake; people really stop from 60 in 130 feet there. LOL
 
Pay attention driving 290 thru Worcester. It is very curvy and goes thru the center of the city. Lots of on and off ramps; as indicated, not a 65 road, probably not a 55 either....
 
Originally Posted By: kender
I grew up in Chelmsford. But left MA. in '80.
Actually, I'm from Billerica but nobody, but you, probably knows where it is. Go Indians! I don't think we ever beat the Lions while I was in HS.
 
Originally Posted By: kender
Check out the Westford Knight while you're there. get some ice cream at Kimballs.
I'll check them out. Should of put that in there also. Not sure how much time I'll have to check things out. Training is from 8:30 to 5 and if I go the other probably none.
 
Thanks guys looks like I can do it. I've driven in a few big cities so that part doesn't bother me. Not sure what I'll have as a car a mid-size is all I know. I'm assuming that means something like a Fusion/Corolla. How much are the tolls out there?
 
Tolls are cheap compared to the rest of the world. Under a buck IIRC between 495 and 84. Several dollars if you take the turnpike from sturbridge out to Logan airport... but worth every penny compared to the alternatives. You'll have fun.
 
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
Originally Posted By: kender
I grew up in Chelmsford. But left MA. in '80.
Actually, I'm from Billerica but nobody, but you, probably knows where it is. Go Indians! I don't think we ever beat the Lions while I was in HS.
Yep, Billerica, our football rivals!! The annual Thanksgiving game. CHS class of '79
 
Originally Posted By: kender
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
Originally Posted By: kender
I grew up in Chelmsford. But left MA. in '80.
Actually, I'm from Billerica but nobody, but you, probably knows where it is. Go Indians! I don't think we ever beat the Lions while I was in HS.
Yep, Billerica, our football rivals!! The annual Thanksgiving game. CHS class of '79
BMHS class of '83
 
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
How about 495 to 290 then 90 as my map shows? Probably be about the same?
That shortcut( 290 to 90 )is how my family has always headed south from NH on 495 to the Mass Pike when we were taking vacation. We always got off at the Sturbridge exit as well( exit 9 as memory serves - been a while )as we headed to CT and 84. It does help a lot. However, that time of night is bad through that region no matter how you try and do it. We would always try and get through there before 7AM or after 9PM if we could. Otherwise the traffic is brutal. If there is a Red Sox, Patriot's, Celtics, or Bruins game on that day/night it is a nightmare.
 
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At 5pm on a Friday expect long lines at 495-290 interchange and again at the 290-90 toll booth entrance (stay right if you have electronic toll transponder e.g. Fastlane / EZPass etc)
 
Is 495 a toll road? Doesn't show that on mapquest. It also shows that could take 495 to 290 then 20. Might just be easiest to stay on 495 then 90. I signed up for the courses on Wed/Fri so I'll try if anything.. that give me a few nights off to check out the local wildlife.
 
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Is 495 a toll road? Doesn't show that on mapquest. It also shows that could take 495 to 290 then 20. Might just be easiest to stay on 495 then 90. I signed up for the courses on Wed/Fri so I'll try if anything.. that give me a few nights off to check out the local wildlife.
495 is not a toll road, nor is 290. The only toll road in MA outside of Boston is 90.
 
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Is 495 a toll road? Doesn't show that on mapquest. It also shows that could take 495 to 290 then 20. Might just be easiest to stay on 495 then 90. I signed up for the courses on Wed/Fri so I'll try if anything.. that give me a few nights off to check out the local wildlife.
495 has its charms. There's a little more to see like fancy glass buildings overlooking the beltway, and exits every mile. Same go-for-broke driving. I would personally take 290; if I hit traffic in Worcester it'd give me time to catch my breath. Get a free map from the rental car people and listen to traffic radio: probably 30% of the time there'll be a huge screwup going one way or the other. The rest of the report will say it's backed up to such-and-such landmark that will leave you ???
 
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