State Bans Driving In 3 MA Counties As Blizzard Pounds South Coast

BARNSTABLE, MA — Motor vehicle travel is all but forbidden in three Massachusetts counties due to blizzard conditions they continued to face Monday afternoon.

Gov. Maura Healey at 2:45 p.m. ordered an “immediate ban” on nonessential driving in Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth counties, citing dangerous road conditions and the need to facilitate snow removal.

• 285K Without Power In MA Blizzard 2026: See Updated Snow Totals, Top Wind Gusts

The speed limit on the Massachusetts Turnpike has also been reduced to 40 mph.

Exempt from the ban, Healey's office said, are:

• Public safety vehicles and personnel
• Public works vehicles and personnel, including contract crews
• Public transportation vehicles and personnel, including contract crews
• Government personnel conducting official business
• Utility company vehicles and personnel, including contract crews
• Personnel directly supporting storm response operations
• Personnel supporting human services facilities
• Health care personnel and those who support or supply health care facilities
• News media
• Private-sector snow removal equipment
• Patients and those traveling with them to receive critical medical care
• Travelers on their way to support critical private-sector services such as energy and fuel
• Travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations and food stores.

“This is a serious storm, and there are dangerous road conditions out there, especially on the South Coast. We have reports of abandoned and stuck cars on the roads, and tow trucks are having difficulty getting to them,” said Healey. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads.

The state said it will lift the ban when Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver determines conditions are safe.

See Also:

• All Massachusetts Market Baskets Closed Due To Blizzard
• PHOTOS: February Blizzard Pummels New England