Traveling for Thanksgiving? What You Should Know

BOSTON, MA — Consider this your definitive guide to Thanksgiving travel in and around Boston: We've got weather, peak predicted travel times, airport info and more.

Mass. Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said Turkey Day travel has been growing over the past several years and may be the single busiest day for Massachusetts roads and Logan International Airport. Pollack and MassDOT emphasize its "real time" tools, ways to avoid the worst traffic congestion.

We've got your guide below for happy and safe Thanksgiving travel, courtesy of MassDOT and Patch.

Traffic Conditions

Google Maps compiled the best (and worst) travel times for Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. Read up.

For in-the-moment updates on traffic and road conditions, MassDOT suggests the following:

• Travelers, before getting on the highway, may utilize the MassDOT Real-Time Traffic (“Go-Time”) informational displays by visiting this link: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/TrafficInformationMap.aspx
• The public may dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions on I-90 and other roads.
• Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Download Waze, the real-time traffic navigation app that provides motorists with real-time traffic conditions across Massachusetts.
• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT because motor vehicle incidents which impact traffic flow are generally mentioned in tweets if they occur on the state’s major highways.

Additionally, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will have normal morning hours and will extend its hours to be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25.

Stay awake!

Free coffee will be served at 18 MassDOT Service Plazas on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

Weather Watch

Rain is the word, and drivers should plan accordingly. Patch has assembled your guide to this year's predicted Thanksgiving Weather in Massachusetts.

Given the significant storms earlier this week in parts of the state, Pollack said, MassDOT is monitoring weather conditions and the possibility of rain and/or freezing temperatures overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning.

"We will make sure that the roads are in good shape. We will have our crews out there (if needed)," Pollack said.

Road Construction, Toll Plazas

It will be the first year of all-electronic tolling, and Pollack said that drivers who don't have electronic passes will be billed and can credit that toward buying an electronic pass.

"We are hopeful that the absence of toll booths will keep traffic flowing better than it has historically," Pollack said. "Follow the signs, follow the instructions."

MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Thanksgiving travel period effective at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, per MassDOT’s long-standing policy. Travel conditions will also be evaluated on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and MassDOT will make adjustments to any ongoing construction activities as necessary.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District reports that all travel lanes on the Cape Cod Canal’s Sagamore and Bourne bridges will be open Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 27.

Airport Updates

Pollack said travelers should plan to arrive roughly two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international on one of the busiest days of the year for Logan.

At Boston Logan Airport, travelers should monitor www.massport.com for updated airline and airport information and Transportation Security Administration carry-on luggage regulations. The mobile enhanced website Massport.com allows travelers to check flight status, parking conditions and public transportation options from their smartphone or tablet.

For travelers getting to and from Logan Airport:

• MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals every 10 minutes. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is FREE.
• To accommodate customers traveling to and from Logan International Airport, additional Silver Line 1 service will be offered between Saturday, November 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. each day. Additional service will also be provided from Saturday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Nov. 28.
• MBTA Blue Line provides subway service between points in Boston, North of Boston and Airport Station. Water transportation is also available from Downtown Boston and the Logan dock.
• Logan Express serves five locations including Peabody, Framingham, Woburn, Braintree and Back Bay. There are also several bus and taxi options available.

MBTA Service Guide

The MBTA has also released the following information regarding travel during the Thanksgiving travel period:

• The Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line and Green Line will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• On Friday, Nov. 25, the Red, Orange and Blue lines will operate on a regular Friday schedule, while the Mattapan Trolley and Green Line branches will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• Commuter Rail lines will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 23. On Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, commuter rail lines will operate on a Sunday schedule. On Friday, Nov. 25, commuter rail will operate on regular weekday schedules.
• Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day only.
• On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Hingham and Hull ferry service will operate on a modified weekday schedule, and Charlestown service will operate on a regular weekday schedule. On Thanksgiving Day, there will be no Hingham, Hull or Charlestown ferry service.

For full MBTA schedule details, please visit: http://www.mbta.com/events/

Storrow Drive photo captured by andrewjsan, Flickr/Creative Commons