question for mass people: routes from boston to worcester?
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question for mass people: routes from boston to worcester?
Hey, me and a friend are looking to do a one way trip to Worcester to visit someone and then returning later on in the weekend. I've been trying to map out different routes but I'm not too familiar with the roads outside of the Boston area. I've found through searching that what I initially thought would be a direct trip, route 9, might not be the best road to take.
I am just curious if anyone has done this and what route did you take? This is an adventure of sorts so going a little out of the way isn't a big deal to me.
Thanks!
I am just curious if anyone has done this and what route did you take? This is an adventure of sorts so going a little out of the way isn't a big deal to me.
Thanks!
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First, get thee to the lbs & pick up the appropriate Rubel bike maps: Metro Boston, Eastern MA, and Central MA. Worth their weight in gold, they highlight "bike friendly" roads so you can eliminate the heavily traveled routes.
I commute between Hudson MA & Boston 3-4 times a week. Route 9 is definitely NOT the best way to go. Hudson is 18 miles east of Worcester and just north of it. If you don't mind going slightly out of the way, here's the route I would take:
From downtown Boston, jump on the Storrow Dr bike path. Follow the path west to the Eliot Bridge (where Storrow ends). Go under the Eliot Bridge (there's a pedestrian/bike tunnel) and head south/west on the bike path that paralells Soldier Field Rd. This will take you past the Northeastern boathouse. Hang a right on Arsenal, cross the river, then at the second light go left. Can't remember the name of this road, but it runs along the Charles for about a mile before ending at a "T." Go right. At the first light (less than half a mile) you can either go left or straight: both take you to Watertown Square. The left is quieter, flatter & has no lights. Straight is more direct, but has lights & a hill climb.
At Watertown Sq, follow Rte 20 W. Stay on 20 for ~6 miles through downtown Waltham. As you leave Waltham you can either: bear right on Rte 117 and follow it all the way to Bolton, MA (~25 miles) or bear left to stay on 20 west, which you can follow all the way past Marlborough MA (also about 25 miles). 20 has more traffic most of the time, but will carry you more directly towards Worcester. 117 is quieter, but has somewhat more hills and goes a couple miles further north. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
Not sure what part of Worcester you're looking to get to, but once you're west of 495, it shouldn't be too hard to identify a good route if you have the Rubel bike map handy. I could also outline some back roads that would get you west of 495 without being on 117 or 20 as much, but it would get kind of complicated, and add some miles to the trip.
Good luck & have fun!
I commute between Hudson MA & Boston 3-4 times a week. Route 9 is definitely NOT the best way to go. Hudson is 18 miles east of Worcester and just north of it. If you don't mind going slightly out of the way, here's the route I would take:
From downtown Boston, jump on the Storrow Dr bike path. Follow the path west to the Eliot Bridge (where Storrow ends). Go under the Eliot Bridge (there's a pedestrian/bike tunnel) and head south/west on the bike path that paralells Soldier Field Rd. This will take you past the Northeastern boathouse. Hang a right on Arsenal, cross the river, then at the second light go left. Can't remember the name of this road, but it runs along the Charles for about a mile before ending at a "T." Go right. At the first light (less than half a mile) you can either go left or straight: both take you to Watertown Square. The left is quieter, flatter & has no lights. Straight is more direct, but has lights & a hill climb.
At Watertown Sq, follow Rte 20 W. Stay on 20 for ~6 miles through downtown Waltham. As you leave Waltham you can either: bear right on Rte 117 and follow it all the way to Bolton, MA (~25 miles) or bear left to stay on 20 west, which you can follow all the way past Marlborough MA (also about 25 miles). 20 has more traffic most of the time, but will carry you more directly towards Worcester. 117 is quieter, but has somewhat more hills and goes a couple miles further north. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
Not sure what part of Worcester you're looking to get to, but once you're west of 495, it shouldn't be too hard to identify a good route if you have the Rubel bike map handy. I could also outline some back roads that would get you west of 495 without being on 117 or 20 as much, but it would get kind of complicated, and add some miles to the trip.
Good luck & have fun!
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The people that I know that've ridden it have taken Route 9. That said, I haven't done it myself, so I can't vouch for the traffic/conditions of the road.
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Is route 9 really that bad East of Worcester?
Out here in Ware/Belchertown area, it's busy but has a nice wide shoulder.
Out here in Ware/Belchertown area, it's busy but has a nice wide shoulder.
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From Jamaica Plain out to Framingham, it's miserable. 3 lanes each direction, separated by a jersey barrier, with traffic lights galore, strip mall blight and unlimited access from side streets and parking lots. Speed limit 55. No shoulder, no bike lane, no open space. Heavy traffic of people racing from one red light to the next, only to screech to a halt. Just about the last place you'd want to be on a bike. Once you get west of 495 it's slightly better, but still no fun. Think Mass Pike, but with unlimited access. I don't like to go there even in a car.
Not sure at what point it changes from all-out vehicular combat zone.
Not sure at what point it changes from all-out vehicular combat zone.
#6
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I don't even like route 9 in Amherst. East of 495 it's just frickin' scary, and I'm talking about driving (ick)! The idea of biking on it gives me the shivers. SixWatt seems to know the area pretty well (I'm familiar with Hudson - good trek out from Boston!), so I would follow his advice.
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Originally Posted by grolby
I don't even like route 9 in Amherst.
It's no more harrowing than the Norwottuck bike path in that area (stupid "earth mothers" with their doublewide baby joggers, and that idiot tarmac made of crushed glass)
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Originally Posted by SixWatt
First, get thee to the lbs & pick up the appropriate Rubel bike maps: Metro Boston, Eastern MA, and Central MA. Worth their weight in gold, they highlight "bike friendly" roads so you can eliminate the heavily traveled routes.
I commute between Hudson MA & Boston 3-4 times a week. Route 9 is definitely NOT the best way to go. Hudson is 18 miles east of Worcester and just north of it. If you don't mind going slightly out of the way, here's the route I would take:
From downtown Boston, jump on the Storrow Dr bike path. Follow the path west to the Eliot Bridge (where Storrow ends). Go under the Eliot Bridge (there's a pedestrian/bike tunnel) and head south/west on the bike path that paralells Soldier Field Rd. This will take you past the Northeastern boathouse. Hang a right on Arsenal, cross the river, then at the second light go left. Can't remember the name of this road, but it runs along the Charles for about a mile before ending at a "T." Go right. At the first light (less than half a mile) you can either go left or straight: both take you to Watertown Square. The left is quieter, flatter & has no lights. Straight is more direct, but has lights & a hill climb.
At Watertown Sq, follow Rte 20 W. Stay on 20 for ~6 miles through downtown Waltham. As you leave Waltham you can either: bear right on Rte 117 and follow it all the way to Bolton, MA (~25 miles) or bear left to stay on 20 west, which you can follow all the way past Marlborough MA (also about 25 miles). 20 has more traffic most of the time, but will carry you more directly towards Worcester. 117 is quieter, but has somewhat more hills and goes a couple miles further north. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
Not sure what part of Worcester you're looking to get to, but once you're west of 495, it shouldn't be too hard to identify a good route if you have the Rubel bike map handy. I could also outline some back roads that would get you west of 495 without being on 117 or 20 as much, but it would get kind of complicated, and add some miles to the trip.
Good luck & have fun!
I commute between Hudson MA & Boston 3-4 times a week. Route 9 is definitely NOT the best way to go. Hudson is 18 miles east of Worcester and just north of it. If you don't mind going slightly out of the way, here's the route I would take:
From downtown Boston, jump on the Storrow Dr bike path. Follow the path west to the Eliot Bridge (where Storrow ends). Go under the Eliot Bridge (there's a pedestrian/bike tunnel) and head south/west on the bike path that paralells Soldier Field Rd. This will take you past the Northeastern boathouse. Hang a right on Arsenal, cross the river, then at the second light go left. Can't remember the name of this road, but it runs along the Charles for about a mile before ending at a "T." Go right. At the first light (less than half a mile) you can either go left or straight: both take you to Watertown Square. The left is quieter, flatter & has no lights. Straight is more direct, but has lights & a hill climb.
At Watertown Sq, follow Rte 20 W. Stay on 20 for ~6 miles through downtown Waltham. As you leave Waltham you can either: bear right on Rte 117 and follow it all the way to Bolton, MA (~25 miles) or bear left to stay on 20 west, which you can follow all the way past Marlborough MA (also about 25 miles). 20 has more traffic most of the time, but will carry you more directly towards Worcester. 117 is quieter, but has somewhat more hills and goes a couple miles further north. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
Not sure what part of Worcester you're looking to get to, but once you're west of 495, it shouldn't be too hard to identify a good route if you have the Rubel bike map handy. I could also outline some back roads that would get you west of 495 without being on 117 or 20 as much, but it would get kind of complicated, and add some miles to the trip.
Good luck & have fun!