By Car to Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Avoid Heavy Traffic!
The two graceful bridges spanning the Cape Cod Canal and connecting Cape Cod to the mainland were built during the Depression in the 1930s.

They were fully sufficient to carry all the traffic back then, but are woefully inadequate during the weekend rush now.

In the summer months, avoid driving to Cape Cod (and trying to cross the bridges) on Friday between 2 pm and 9 pm (14:00 and 21:00), and on Saturday between 8 am and 2 pm (08:00 and 14:00).

On Sunday afternoon and evening from 3 pm to 10 pm (15:00 to 22:00) traffic leaving Cape Cod across the bridges is slow.

By the way, if you see bumper stickers advertising the Cape Cod Tunnel, you should know that it's a joke! Everyone ever caught in the traffic jams coming to or going from Cape Cod dreams of a big, fast tunnel under the Cape Cod Canal to speed traffic along, but there is no such tunnel, and there may never be.

From New York City and Providence RI
Take I-195 to MA 25/28 South and cross the Bourne Bridge if you're heading for Falmouth and Woods Hole.

If you're going to Sandwich, Hyannis, or other Cape points, don't take the Bourne Bridge, but take US 6 East just before the Bourne Bridge, and this will take you north and east to the Sagamore Bridge, where you cross the canal.

From Boston and Plymouth
The Southeast Expressway (I-93) will take you right to MA 3, which goes straight to the Sagamore Bridge.

If you're on your way to Falmouth and Woods Hole, stay on I-93 past the intersection with Route 3 and take Exit 66 for Route 24 South, then I-495 South MA 28, before taking you right over the Bourne Bridge.

Mid-Cape Highway: US 6
US 6, the Mid-Cape Highway, is the fastest way to travel from the "Inner" (or "Upper") Cape" (the part you first come to by land) to the "Outer Cape" (or "Lower Cape"), the narrow portion north of Orleans to Provincetown).

The Alternate Route: MA 6A
US 6 is not the prettiest way to go, being hemmed by forest for most of its length. If you have the time, travel MA 6A through the pretty towns along Cape Cod Bay instead.

The stretch of MA 6A between Sandwich and Dennis is a lush panorama of bogs and marshes, distant views of dunes and the sea, birds calling and fluttering, the winding road dotted with antique shops, craft shops, art galleries, and other businesses including lots and lots of real estate offices.

The road leads through the villages of Barnstable, Cummaquid, Yarmouthport, Yarmouth, and Dennis before heading eastward to Brewster.

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