Getting there

November 08, 2009|Elizabeth Gehrman

Getting there: A cabbie’s routes

James Jones of the Back Bay has been driving cabs in Boston since 1974. “People pull up next to me at 4 in the morning with raw panic in their eyes trying to get to the airport,” says Jones, 55. Relax. Here are his recommended routes from five locations.

1. Harvard Square Pick up the Mass. Pike at the Allston tollbooth. Take it east, to the Ted Williams Tunnel. The first exit -- still in the tunnel - is for the airport. Your second-best bet would be the “river roads.” Cross the Charles on JFK Street near the Kennedy School, and take Soldiers Field Road to Storrow Drive. At the end of Storrow, follow signs to the airport, which will take you on I-93 south to the Callahan Tunnel and the airport exit.

2. Newton Centre Take Centre Street to Newton Corner, where you can pick up the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) eastbound to the Ted Williams Tunnel. Take the airport exit. If the Pike is backed up, at Newton Corner follow signs to Charlesbank Road, which turns into Nonantum Road, then Soldiers Field Road, then Storrow Drive. At the end of Storrow, follow signs to the airport.

3. Copley Square Take Berkeley Street to the Storrow Drive inbound entrance just past Beacon Street. Follow signs to I-93 South and the airport. If Storrow looks nasty, take Boylston Street to Charles Street between the Common and Public Garden, and turn right on Beacon Street. Take a left on Bowdoin Street (just past the State House). Bowdoin becomes New Chardon Street, at the end of which you’ll see signs for the Callahan Tunnel. Take the airport exit.

4. Peabody Pick up Route 107 in Salem or Lynn and take it south to Route 60 to connect with Route 1A in Revere. Take 1A South to East Boston’s airport exit. If Route 128 or I-95 South is closer for you, take it to exit 44A, Route 1 South. Follow 1 South all the way to the Northgate Rotary near the Revere cinemas. Get off the rotary at Route 60 West to 1A South until you reach the airport exit.

5. Marina Bay, Quincy Take Quincy Shore Drive west to Neponset Circle, then get on I-93 North. Drivers with more than one passenger should take the HOV lane (it’s a shortcut), and all others the Logan exit (No. 20). Either one takes you to the Ted Williams Tunnel. Take the airport exit. If traffic reports say the Ted Williams approach is jammed, take the Frontage Road exit (No. 18), then the South Boston exit off Frontage to the West Fourth Street Bridge or the Broadway Bridge. Go left on A Street, follow it to the end, then take a right on Congress Street. Signage will show you the way to the airport.

Public Transportation: Easy on the budget

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