# boston geography & traffic q **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206 "2009-09-15T18:53:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![johnspartan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/1 "2009-09-15T18:53:55Z")
Hypothetically… At a Patriots game in Foxboro, 1 pm Sunday start. So, you figure, game wraps around 4:00. Could I be on a flight out of Logan Airport at 6:55 pm? If I don’t check bags, and take a cab from the stadium to the airport? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/2 "2009-09-15T19:00:03Z")
That’s going to be an expensive cab ride! Figure about an hour from the stadium to the airport, assuming no traffic. NEVER assume no traffic, especially at a game letting out. So figure getting to the airport at about 6:00. You’d be cutting it close. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/3 "2009-09-15T19:04:30Z")
You’d think ~ 3 hours was enough for a 45 min drive, but I here Foxboro gets very clogged after a game. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/4 "2009-09-15T19:09:12Z")
Maybe, but you’d be cutting it awful close. Traffic is ridiculous leaving Pats games. If the cab picks you up outside the stadium, you’ll sit in a bit traffic (maybe an hour). See, the problem is there is only one way in or out (Route 1). Once you get on 495 (about 5 miles from the stadium, all along route 1), you’ll be fine. But it’s leaving the stadium that sucks. Plus, there are lots of wooded parking lots along Route 1 that are closer to 495, and troopers typically let them empty out first. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/5 "2009-09-15T21:13:11Z")
If you need to be on that plane then it’s too close for comfort. You may be leaving in the 3rd quarter to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/6 "2009-09-15T22:06:29Z")
[moderating] Since this is a question, rather than a mundane comment, I’m going to move it over to GQ where it might get more answers. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/7 "2009-09-15T22:06:31Z")
Foxboro is not even that close to Boston. It is a distant suburb not all that far from me. Your plan is not a safe bet at all and the worry will likely interfere with your enjoyment of the game. I wouldn’t do it unless you can move your flight until later or if you are willing to leave well before the game is over. The most direct route into Boston from Foxboro is Rt. 1 North which is not a very big road for what it has to serve for such events and it gets very backed up and it has lots of traffic lights. The alternate way is to make a huge loop through nearby I-495 north to the Mass Pike East which should be more reliable but that is a trip that takes over an hour even driving yourself at high speed. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/8 "2009-09-15T23:20:13Z")
I’ve taken as long as two hours just to get out of the parking lot. Then Route 1 is stall and crawl all the way to 128. Make a later reservation. This one ain’t gonna work. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/9 "2009-09-16T03:37:27Z")
While there is rail from Foxboro to the commuter rail stations during Pats games (specifically Walpole on the Franklin line), and from them to Logan (via South Station and the Silver Bus/Train line), the times look dicey. Go to [www.mbta.com](http://www.mbta.com) and play with the schedules. I’ve never taken commuter rail in Boston, but the timetables for Walpole to South look like a 50 minute trip, and the Silver line (which I have taken) takes about 15 minutes if I remember right. I’ve no idea how long the Foxboro to Walpole train takes, and I’ve no idea how long you’ll be waiting to make your connection at each train station. Three hours looks troubling, especially considering the light touch TSA employs at Logan… ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/10 "2009-09-16T10:29:11Z")
You might do better flying out of Providence. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/11 "2009-09-16T11:43:32Z")
Taking the train won’t work if you have any luggage. You can’t bring it into the stadium so where would you leave it during the game? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/12 "2009-09-16T12:22:46Z")
> [@PatriotGrrrl](#): > > Taking the train won’t work if you have any luggage. You can’t bring it into the stadium so where would you leave it during the game? The OP said not checking baggage. Never experienced Foxboro during a Pats game, but the timing seems pretty dicey to me for driving. The rail might be possible, but I’d try and find out what actual arrival times in south station would be on game day. Actually, I’d try and get a later flight and plan on a relaxed post-game beer and cup of chowder at the airport if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/13 "2009-09-16T13:44:26Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > The OP said not checking baggage. In my experience, travelers who don’t check baggage carry something such as a small backpack, dufflebag, briefcase, purse etc. ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/14 "2009-09-16T15:31:18Z")
> [@](#): > > You might do better flying out of Providence. I second that. [Green Airport](http://www.pvdairport.com) is also where the Patriots fly into and out of for away games, not Logan. Green is closer to Foxboro than Logan is, and it’s a much easier drive. And I work there. Still, getting out of the parking lots at Foxboro and waiting on Rte 1 is the toughest part. I’d pick a later flight out of Providence (providing that there’s a flight to where you want to go out of PVD) and enjoy some of our fine dining establishments prior to your flight. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/15 "2009-09-16T16:00:12Z")
> [@PatriotGrrrl](#): > > In my experience, travelers who don’t check baggage carry something such as a small backpack, dufflebag, briefcase, purse etc. Even those are a problem. [Gillette Stadium security procedures](http://www.gillettestadium.com/stadium_information/index.cfm?ac=prohibited_items) > [@](#): > > To ensure that all fans have a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following items may not be carried into the stadium: > > Bags of any kind, excluding small hand held purses, and plastic carrier bags carrying purchases made at the ProShop. Contents of these bags will be inspected. > Purses larger than an 8 1/2" x 11" x 6" sheet of paper will NOT be allowed into the stadium. Etc. There is no checked-items facility, either. ---
**Author:** ![johnspartan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/16 "2009-09-20T16:05:27Z")
How about 7:05 pm out of Providence then? Is a cab from Foxboro Stadium to Providence Airport going to be a small fortune? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/17 "2009-09-20T16:33:49Z")
> [@johnspartan](#): > > How about 7:05 pm out of Providence then? Still tight, but somewhat better. The problem remains getting out of Foxboro, which can be a nightmare no matter which direction you are heading. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/18 "2009-09-20T18:26:56Z")
> [@johnspartan](#): > > How about 7:05 pm out of Providence then? > > Is a cab from Foxboro Stadium to Providence Airport going to be a small fortune? You MIGHT be able to make that one but don’t bet your life on it either. The cab ride is about 35 miles so I am guessing it will be well over $100 in those conditions but I really don’t know. It won’t be cheap in any case. TF Green/Providence is much more user friendly than Boston Logan and passing through security is much easier. I always prefer TF Green over Logan no matter what the circumstances are. I fully understand why Al Qaeda sent the 9/11 hijackers through Boston Logan. If they were unsure of themselves when they left that day, I know they were fully committed to crashing the plane into a building once they went through check-in and got exposed to the general atmosphere of the airport. I have had that same impulse myself several times when flying out of there. ---
**Author:** ![johnspartan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-geography-traffic-q/510206/19 "2009-09-22T16:42:44Z")
Thanks all for the help. If anyone’s perverse enough to care… this was of quite a bit of assistance because I ultimately decided to skip the trip. When I realized I was considering somehow finding a place to STASH luggage outside a pro football stadium (make a quick friend in the parking lot and hey stranger can I put my giant bag in your car and oh by the way I probably need to leave the game early)… plus the cab ride… too much headache for what’s supposed to be a vacay!