Driving through Boston

wjhgolf · Post by **wjhgolf** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:02 pm

Has anyone driven through downtown Boston on a weekday to sightsee? We will be staying 40 miles north of there the night before and only going 40 miles south for the next night. We want to get the flavor of Boston and won't be in any hurry. What should we stop and see? Parking?

ewagman · Post by **ewagman** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:45 pm

It's been quite a few years since I went to college and drove my car & motorcycle in Beantown, but Boston driving was a thrill best left to those who care nothing about the exterior appearance of their vehicles. They do have great public transit that is likely a better choice for a non native. Take 128 or 495 around town, park your BF, and ride the train into town.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 5:46 am

I was stationed in Boston with the Coast Guard. I agree with the above. DO NOT drive in the city!!!! The old sections are a rabbit warren of narrow streets, many of them one way, with almost no parking. The Freedom Trail (Paul Revere's house, the Old North Church, etc) is a pleasant walk in good weather. If you do find yourself driving in the Boston area, DO NOT get on Storrow Drive!!!! It's a scenic road the parallels the Charles River but it has a series of very low overpasses. Several times a year an errant trucker or bus driver manages to get on there by mistake and winds up cleaning off the top of their vehicle!

Regards, Roger

tomdclark · Post by **tomdclark** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:41 am

I second the above two posts about driving in Boston!

You should also be aware that the I-93 tunnels through Boston are HAZMAT tunnels. I think these are closed to RV's with propane tanks.

al1florida · Post by **al1florida** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:42 pm

In 2008 we drove our 40' diesel pusher through the tunnels on I-93. We didn't see any signs restricting motorhomes or trailers with propane.

If you have the time, spend a night or four at Wompatuck State Park http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/womp.htm a few miles south of downtown Boston and take the public transportation into town. We took the train/subway from the Braintree station.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/womp.htm

tomdclark · Post by **tomdclark** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:47 pm

I, as usual, waffled with my earlier Hazardous Cargo statement. Propane tanks are prohibitd in the Boston tunnels.

For a direct response from the Mass highway department see:

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fu ... 064421.cfm

al1florida · Post by **al1florida** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:07 pm

tomdclark wrote:I, as usual, waffled with my earlier Hazardous Cargo statement. Propane tanks are prohibitd in the Boston tunnels.

For a direct response from the Mass highway department see:

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fu ... 064421.cfm

The above link is a link to a forum discussion about whether or not the propane tanks in your RV is considered "hazardous cargo". Also in the discussion is an "Opinion" from Woodalls that Woodalls believes RV's are not allowed in the tunnels. I say "opinion" since Woodalls does not provide a link to an official statement from Massachusetts. If I missed the link to the Mass Hwy Dept, please supply it.

As I remember and the Woodalls forum discussion confirmed, the signs on the interstate restrict "hazardous cargo", but nothing in the signs restrict propane powered vehicles or RV's with propane tanks.

Now down in Baltimore, yes, I know it is a different state, there is ample warning that RV's with propane tanks are not allowed in the tunnels, but not in Boston.

In the Norfolk, VA area there are checkpoints requiring RV's to stop to verify their propane tanks are turned off before entering the tunnels.

From what I have seen, places where RV's with propane tanks are not allowed there is ample warning, not just a notice about hazardous cargo.

Until someone can provide a link to an official Mass. government where it clearly states RV's with propane tanks are prohibited, I am of the opinion RV's ARE allowed in the Boston tunnels.

I don't understand how people can leap to the conclusion that a propane tank in an RV is "cargo". If that was true then I would also assume a propane or LPG powered vehicle was carrying hazardous cargo.

al1florida · Post by **al1florida** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:30 pm

Here is a link to an official Mass DOT doc http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ ... ation.aspx
restricting Hazardous Cargo (HC) travel through the tunnels and the alternate routes available. It specifically talks about HC (Hazardous Cargo) vehicles. These are the same vehicles which are not allowed to take certain interstate routes in many cities. We see these "no HC" traffic symbols on signs all over the country. However none of these routes prohibit RV's with propane tanks,

southshoremidwife · Post by **southshoremidwife** » Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:41 pm

You do NOT want to drive in downtown Boston with your Bornfree. Jerry and I lived 25 miles south in Scituate for 26 years. The roads are narrow, and there is NO parking for a motorhome. Tough even in a car. Wompatuck state park in Hingham is a great place to stay. They are not open until mid April. You can take the Greenbush line from Cohasset (on Rt. 3A). There you will find ample open parking. Good luck.

Mel Wilbur · Post by **Mel Wilbur** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:29 pm

Normandy Farms campground in Foxboro, MA, south of Boston, is a great campground and is open year round.