Massachusetts New Year's Eve Travel Guide

We know traveling for New Year's is exasperating, especially if you've been on the move for Thanksgiving and the holidays.

With that in mind, MassDOT has made a number of resources available to travelers, along with some changes to its regular schedule, this weekend.

For Drivers

• Visit www.mass511.com to discover real-time traffic conditions and incident advisory information, view traffic cameras, and subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Travelers, before getting on the highway, may dial 511 to hear real-time conditions on I-90 and other roads.
• 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.

MassDOT will shut down scheduled roadway construction from noon on Friday until the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 3. Some regularly scheduled maintenance-related activities will be suspended, specifically so that all travel lanes on the Sagamore and Bourne bridges will be open through Monday, Jan. 2.

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2. And perhaps the best news for weary travelers – free coffee will be served at 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 until 5 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1.

For Train/Ferry Users

• All subway lines will provide some extra service on Saturday, Dec. 31 with additional trains operating from 3 p.m. until approximately 1 a.m.
• Buses, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on Dec. 31.
• The Commuter Rail will operate a modified Saturday schedule with extra outbound service from North and South Stations at the times listed below.
• Extra trains will make all stops en-route to their destinations and customers must arrive prior to the departure times.
• Bicycles are also prohibited on all inbound Commuter Rail trains between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and all outbound trains from 4 p.m. through the end of service on New Year’s Eve.
• Subway, buses, Commuter Rail, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will provide regular Sunday service on Sunday, Jan. 1.
• On the observed New Year’s Day holiday of Monday, Jan. 2, subway, buses, Commuter Rail, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will operate a Sunday schedule. For more information, please visit mbta.com/events.

Extra Outbound Trains from North Station

Extra Outbound Trains from South Station

Travelers are advised to take public transportation when possible, stay safe and utilize MassDOT's resources.

"We encourage everyone who will be celebrating the New Year to make responsible decisions to ensure they are able to reach their destinations safely," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack in a statement. "All of the MBTA’s transit systems will be free after 8 p.m., New Year’s Eve, and travelers should take advantage of these and other opportunities to utilize public transportation and plan ahead."

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