Boston Traffic and Transit Guide

Live traffic

Check current conditions on the official state feeds before you leave.

• Mass511: MassDOT's live map of incidents, road works, and travel times statewide.
• Mass.gov travel updates: official advisories for tunnels, bridges, and expressways.
• Google Maps traffic layer: quick visual of Greater Boston congestion right now.

MBTA status

The T runs the subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit. Live alerts:

• MBTA service alerts: delays, diversions, and elevator outages across every mode.
• Subway schedules: Red, Orange, Blue, Green, and Silver lines.
• Commuter Rail schedules: 12 lines out of North and South Stations.

Major commuter routes

I-93 (Southeast Expressway and Central Artery)

The north-south spine through downtown. Worst northbound between Braintree and the O'Neill Tunnel from 7am to 9am, and southbound from 4pm to 6.30pm.

I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike)

East-west from the Berkshires to Logan via the Ted Williams Tunnel. Allston tolls and Weston split are the usual choke points.

Route 128 / I-95

The suburban ring. Slowest between Waltham and Woburn northbound in the morning and Needham to Canton southbound at night.

Storrow and Memorial Drives

Riverside routes along the Charles. Faster than the Pike at peak but low bridges catch rental trucks every year. Height limit 10 feet.

Callahan and Sumner Tunnels

Between the North End and East Boston / Logan. Check for weekend closures before heading to the airport.

Getting to Logan

• Silver Line SL1 from South Station is free inbound to Logan terminals.
• Blue Line to Airport station, then the free Massport shuttle.
• Logan Express buses from Back Bay, Braintree, Framingham, Peabody, and Woburn.
• MBTA ferry from Hingham and Hull via Logan Boat Dock.

Commuter tips

• Register an EZDriveMA transponder to avoid pay-by-plate surcharges on the Pike and tunnels.
• Load a CharlieCard for the cheapest subway and bus fares; monthly LinkPass covers unlimited rides.
• Snow emergencies trigger parking bans. Check the City of Boston site before storms.
• Bluebikes docks cover most of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and Everett; great for the last mile from a T stop.
• Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox game nights slow traffic around North Station and Kenmore. Plan around puck drop, tip-off, and first pitch.