Local

Plan ahead: Thanksgiving holiday travel in MA is expected to be even busier this year

BOSTON — Your Thanksgiving holiday escape could be a lot more crowded this year as post-pandemic travel continues to climb.

State transportation leaders gathered on Wednesday to urge anyone who plans to use Massachusetts highways, and public transportation or fly out of Boston to make informed decisions before heading out the door.

Holiday Travel Headlines:

  • The HOV lane will have extended hours on Tuesday, November 22, and Wednesday, November 23
  • The HOV and Sumner Tunnel swing lane will NOT be deployed on Thursday, November 24, or Friday, November 25
  • Registry of Motor Vehicle customer service locations and state offices will be closed Thursday, November 24
  • The Sumner Tunnel will be OPEN during the weekends of November 18 - 20 and November 25 - 27

HIGHWAYS

That HOV lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23.

“There will be no scheduled construction work on major roadways outside of established work zones from 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, through 9:00 p.m. on Monday, November 28.” according to MassDOT.

MassDOT also flagged the specific days and times when you might find the heaviest traffic on major highways.

The Mass Pike westbound should see the heaviest travel on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 8:00 p.m and Thursday, Thanksgiving Day between 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Friday between 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week is expected to be the busiest on I-93, the Expressway.

A link to the best times to travel advisory is also here.

LOGAN AIRPORT

More passengers are expected at Logan International Airport in Boston around the holiday and the agency that runs the airport says travelers should give themself extra time to get to Logan and through security.

“Extra staff will be on hand to help passengers and families who may not have traveled in a while,” says Massport and the agency recommends passengers arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.

RIDE SHARES TO AND FROM LOGAN

As of Wednesday, November 16th, the Terminal B pickup, and drop-off area for Ride Share app users has moved to the Terminal B Garage on the Departures Level.

“Passengers who request an Accessible Ride App can still be picked up or dropped off at all the terminal curbs,” says Massport.

MBTA

Extra Silver Line 1 service to and from Logan Airport will be added from November 19-20 and the weekend after Thanksgiving on November 26-27.

Extra SL1 service to and from Logan Airport will also be added for the week of Thanksgiving, but not for the actual Thanksgiving holiday.

The Silver Line is free from Logan Airport to Boston destinations.

There is no ferry service on Thanksgiving Day and Commuter Rail lines will operate a weekend schedule.

All other MBTA services will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving day.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW