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I live in Natick and commute to Southern NH for work. Most days traffic is not a big issue since I am doing more of a reverse commute, but sometimes in the evening, it gets really backed up. For example, the Pats are playing at home tonight and 128S was backed up to Burlington! I always wonder if it is better to get off and take back roads or just tough it out and stay on 128 (I get off at exit 26, rte 20).
Anyone who also rides this route have a better idea?
A helicopter would be great! I have considered taking 495 around but 1. it is 18 miles farther and2. I don't always know there is a problem until I am pretty far south on Rte 3What I am trying to figure out is if it is worth getting off 128 earlier, like at 4/225 and taking back roads or is is just as fast to stay on 128 and wait it out (assuming it is moving a little). I have jumped off and taked the back roads, but I am not sure it is the best idea because you never know what you are going to hit.My strategy now is to just stay on 128 and try to remember when there is something going on like a Pats game that would cause a problem, then leave work earlier. I have to pick up my kids by 6 and I pulled in yesterday at 5:56 after leaving work at 4:05. Usually it is 60-70 minutes.
Nowadays, to be honest, you can figure out traffic way before you get on the highway and plan accordingly.
That includes internet sites or apps for your phone (I personally use Google Maps and then, for areas in Boston, I use the Traffic page on boston.com). Do you have a smartphone? Use it when traveling home and set it to bring you home. It will set up to avoid massive traffic (if you have that setting) and get you where you need to go in the shortest time.
I live in Natick and commute to Southern NH for work. Most days traffic is not a big issue since I am doing more of a reverse commute, but sometimes in the evening, it gets really backed up. For example, the Pats are playing at home tonight and 128S was backed up to Burlington! I always wonder if it is better to get off and take back roads or just tough it out and stay on 128 (I get off at exit 26, rte 20).
Anyone who also rides this route have a better idea?
I commute to Billerica from Millis, which goes through some of the same territory. Taking back roads (route 4 to 225 to 126/27) isn't necessarily quicker a lot of the time, but I feel like there's less variation in the time it takes. If I go through 128, it can take an hour to get home (very rare), or it can take closer to 2. I never really know, even if I check the traffic before I leave the office.
If I go via back roads, it's almost always 70 to 80 minutes, with the worst parts coming after you'd likely be home already. It gets really backed up where 27 meets route 9, and then when 16 meets 27, but otherwise it's not that bad.
I live in Natick and commute to Southern NH for work. Most days traffic is not a big issue since I am doing more of a reverse commute, but sometimes in the evening, it gets really backed up. For example, the Pats are playing at home tonight and 128S was backed up to Burlington! I always wonder if it is better to get off and take back roads or just tough it out and stay on 128 (I get off at exit 26, rte 20).
Anyone who also rides this route have a better idea?
Hmmm.. You could try 2 west, take Bedford rd at the 1st traffic light to Weston rd, cross 117 nto Meriam st and that will take you to the intersection of rt 27 and rt 20. Stay straight to take rt 27..
I realize you have to travel a little further on 128 than you would probably like, but that isn't a terrible get off.
I'd move to Southern NH if I was working there and then problem solved. No sales tax no income tax. No interstate commute. Of course its only an option, if one has an option these days.
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