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Road

Driving is on the right and the minimum driving age in Massachusetts is 21 years. The speed limit on most major highways is 88kph (55mph) and is strictly enforced. On sections of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), the speed limit is 104kph (65mph). Elsewhere, limits range from 32-80kph (30-45mph). While most non-US driver's licences are acceptable, it is best to bring an International Driving Permit. Children under 12 years of age are required to be protected with an approved car seat or safety belt. Massachusetts encourages all passengers to wear seat belts and strictly enforces the drink-driving law of 0.02% maximum alcohol to blood ratio. It is possible to turn right at a red traffic light after stopping - unless otherwise indicated.

The American Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 222 1333) can provide information, and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (800) AAA HELP or 222 4357

Routes to the city: There are two main road arteries leading into Boston - the I-93 and the I-90. The I-93 (often called the 'Central Artery') cuts through the central downtown running north-south and keeping close to the waterfront. The I-90 comes into the city centre travelling west-east. This road is known locally as the 'Masspike' (the Massachusetts Turnpike). These two roads meet the ring road arc of the I-95 (known locally as Route 128). Access to the downtown area from the northeast and the airport is via road tunnels. The Sumner Tunnel (US$2 toll) is incoming and the Callahan Tunnel (no toll) is outgoing.

Driving times to Boston: From Hartford (Connecticut) - 2 hours; Albany (New York) - 3 hours 20 minutes; New York City - 4 hours 15 minutes; Montreal (Canada) - 6 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: South Station, on the junction of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue, is the central coach station. Greyhound (tel: (800) 231 2222, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.greyhound.com) operates services throughout the USA (a standard one-way Boston-New York ticket costs US$40). Peter Pan/Trailways Bus Lines (tel: (617) 946 0960 or (800) 343 9999, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.peterpan-bus.com) go all over New England. Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway buses (tel: (508) 746 0378; website: www.p-b.com) go to the South Shore and Cape Cod. Bonanza Buses (tel: (401) 751 8800 or (888) 751 8800, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.bonanzabus.com) cover western Massachusetts and southwards to New York.



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