Best Time to Cross Bourne Bridge

Best Time to Cross Bourne Bridge

by Jeff
(Philadelphia)

We will be traveling to Cape Cod from Philadelphia, heading for Woods Hole on August 19. Our plan is to park at the ferry parking lot in Woods Hole and take the ferry (without the car) to Martha's Vineyard.

My question is this: If we're coming from the south, when is the best time to cross the bridge that Friday? Which bridge will I come to first?

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Best Time to Cross Bourne Bridge

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Cross Bourne Bridge Before Noon
by: Anonymous

Jeff, you'll certainly come to the Bourne Bridge first (I-95 north from New York City, and I-195 east from Providence), and the easy answer to your questions is to cross as early as possible, preferably before noon. Of course that may mean a very early start from Philly, which is at least a seven hour drive from the Cape.

If, for some reason, you?re not able to make it over before noon, here?s what we suggest:

On that last leg of your journey, the part from Providence, RI to the Cape, tune in to traffic reports, either on the car radio or your cell phone. WBZ Boston (AM-1030) is probably the best radio station to listen to. They give updates every 20 minutes throughout the day and night. Online, Smartraveler Online can give you regular reports on the traffic status on the approach roads to the bridge. You can also call for SmarTraveler traffic reports at (617) 374-1234 or key in *1 for a free call from any cell phone.

If traffic reports suggest a long tail back, then come off at exit 2 of Route 25. You're looking for a sign for Wareham and Onset.

Take a right at the top of the ramp and go straight through three sets of lights. WATCH YOUR SPEED here. The limit is 35mph and this area is a notorious spot for the state police to set speed traps. The third light will bring you onto Cranberry Highway, which is the main road through Wareham and has discount stores, motels and fast food joints on either side.

At the end of Cranberry highway, you cross the small bridge over Buttermilk Bay into Bourne (the railway bridge over the Cape Cod Canal will be on your right) and take the first exit off the rotary onto Main Street Buzzards Bay. At the end of Main Street is another rotary, and from there you can swing up onto the Bourne Bridge right above you and carry on to Falmouth.

Check out our Cape Cod traffic tips for more ideas for avoiding the worst of the Cape's traffic.

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