Driving, Parking: What You Need to Know This Weekend in Boston

Fourth of July is a beautiful time to be in Boston and celebrate our storied place in the country's history - except, of course, if you're a local and need to park your car or drive just about anywhere.

To help make your weekend feel more celebration and less frustration, the Boston Police Department has the full run-down of special event parking restrictions and street closures as part of the city's Fourth of July festivities.

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Street Closures

July 3

Local streets close to vehicle traffic at 3 p.m.:

• Berkley Street
• Beacon Street

July 4

Local streets closed to vehicle traffic at 6 p.m.:

• Beacon Street, from Charles Street to Massachusetts Avenue
• Berkeley Street, from Commonwealth Avenue to Beacon Street
• Dartmouth Street, from Commonwealth Avenue to Beacon Street
• Fairfield Street, from Commonwealth Avenue to Beacon Street
• Hereford Street, from Commonwealth Avenue to Beacon Street

Before that, you've got the city's annual Independence Day Parade, which starts 9 a.m. at City Hall Plaza.

According to BPD, "An estimated 500 marchers will proceed left onto Cambridge Street, continue onto Tremont Street, left onto Bromfield Street, left onto Washington Street, right onto Court Street, pausing at the Old State House, left onto Congress Street to Faneuil Hall."

That means traffic delays on streets along the route as the parade progresses. Police say the delays will be brief.

Parking Restrictions

June 30-July 4

Tow Zone, No Stopping:

• Beacon Street, even side, from Berkeley Street to Clarendon Street

July 3-4

Tow Zone, No Stopping:

• Arlington Street, both sides, from Beacon Street to Commonwealth Avenue
• Berkeley Street, both sides, from Marlborough Street to Back Street
• Clarendon Street, both sides, from Marlborough Street to Back Street
• Dartmouth Street, both sides, from Marlborough Street to Back Street
• Exeter Street, both sides, from Marlborough Street to Back Street
• Beacon Street, both sides, from Charles Street to Dartmouth Street

• Back Street, both sides, from Dartmouth Street to David G. Mugar Way
• Chestnut Street, both sides, from David G. Mugar Way to Brimmer Street
• Mount Vernon Street, both sides, from David G Mugar Way to Brimmer Street
• Pinckney Street, both sides, from David G. Mugar Way to Brimmer Street
• Revere Street, both sides, from David G. Mugar Way to Charles Street

July 4

• Arlington Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to St. James Avenue
• Berkeley Street, both sides, from Marlborough Street to Boylston Street
• Clarendon Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Marlborough Street
• Dartmouth Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Marlborough Street
• Exeter Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Marlborough Street
• Fairfield Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Back Street
• Gloucester Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Back Street
• Hereford Street, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Back Street
• Massachusetts Avenue, both sides, from Commonwealth Avenue to Back Street
• Beacon Street, both sides, from Dartmouth Street to Charlesgate East
• Boylston Street, both sides, from Berkeley Street to Arlington Street

For your friends visiting from out of town...

• Boston Fireworks Travel, Safety
• Fourth of July with the Boston Pops at the Hatch Shell: What You Need to Know
• Reminder: MBTA Fare Increase Officially in Effect

>> Photo by Alison Bauter, Patch staff