Travel Tips for One of Busiest Weekends of the Year

MassDOT is predicting a “blockbuster travel day” on the Friday before the three-day Columbus Day weekend.

The Friday before Columbus Day last year was the second busiest day on the Mass Pike with 690,000 transactions. It was only beaten by the Friday before Mother’s Day, which saw 703,000 transactions. 

So far this year, the Friday before Mother’s Day has been the top travel day with 698,000 transactions.

Here is some information from MassDOT on traveling this weekend:

• Before heading out, consider downloading the free Ride Wise Smartphone application that provides users access to the real time traffic information on Interstate 93, sections of the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 3 on the South Shore and Route 6/Mid-Cape Highway. RideWise is now available on all major platforms - iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone. We also invite you to check MassDOT statewide live traffic cameras before you travel.
• To save time, money and gas, please join E-ZPass to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths.Toll collection will resume for passenger vehicles on the Massachusetts Turnpike between Exits 1 and 6 on Oct. 15. Travelers between 1 and 6, and those who start or end their Turnpike travel in the 1-6 zone, will notice an increase in their tolls beginning on Oct. 15.
• Traffic congestion is also anticipated on highways heading toward popular fall and leaf peeping destinations like Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Maine. CapeFLYER weekend train service from Boston to Cape Cod will be extended through the Columbus Day holiday, Monday, Oct. 14.
• Customers may buy tickets on-board the train or on their Smartphone via the MBTA’s “mTicket” mobile ticketing app for Commuter Rail. Customers are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance. Visit CapeFLYER on the web:http://capeflyer.com
• The MBTA will operate on a Saturday schedule or weekday schedule on Monday, Oct. 14, depending on the service. Check mbta.com for details.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog:www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook atwww.facebook.com/massdotinfo.