Massachusetts

Fourth of July Travel Underway in Bay State

Some people started the Fourth of July holiday early and began heading to Cape Cod for vacation on Saturday.

In order to help ease traffic problems, MassDOT has stopped all roadwork across the state and will not resume until Wednesday.

Traveler Michael Reich said leaving early is key when heading to the Cape.

"We left at 4 a.m. this morning. It was painless to cut through Stamford quickly, Providence quickly," said Reich. "I would say leave late at night or early in the morning. If you haven't left yet you're in trouble."

Not everyone on the Cape is headed to vacation. One family NBC Boston talked to was heading back home after spending a week away from the crowds.

"A little less traffic, a little less commotion," said Lauren Green, of Baltimore, Maryland. The beaches were great the weather was great. We really enjoyed our stay."

AAA estimates a record-breaking 1 million people in Massachusetts alone will drive during the holiday weekend. During that time, they will see the cheapest gas in 12 years, which is down to an average of $2.20 a gallon in the Bay State.

"It makes me willing to travel more," said traveler Connie Love. "Don't stay home. Cheap gas."

For people planning on being on the roads, eighteen service plazas across Massachusetts, including the one on Route 128 in Newton, will service free coffee starting at 10 p.m. July 4 through 5 a.m. on July 5.

In additional to road travel, an estimated 3.4 million Americans are expected to travel by air over the holiday weekend.

Contact Us