Press Release  DCR Launches Annual “Storrowing” Public Awareness Campaign Ahead of Move-In Day in Greater Boston

BOSTON — Ahead of Move-In Day in Greater Boston, the Department of Conservation (DCR) launched its annual public awareness campaign on social media, warning anyone moving into the Greater Boston area that they cannot drive large trucks or vans on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road and Memorial Drive, commonly referred to as the area’s river roads. Additionally, over the last year, DCR installed new high-visibility “CARS ONLY” signs at all entrances to these roadways.

To promote safety on these roads, DCR is working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) to alert drivers that these roadways are restricted to “cars only” and have height restrictions as low as nine feet. Trucks, vans, and box trucks exceeding this height limit risk getting stuck under the overpasses, a situation commonly referred to as “storrowing.” Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes, including Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and the Massachusetts Turnpike.  

“As someone who has lived much of my life in Western Massachusetts, the term ‘storrowing’ was new to me and I imagine it’s a foreign concept to those moving to the area for the first time,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “With Move-in Day upon us, DCR is re-upping our efforts to warn Boston area students and new residents of the low clearance bridges along our river roads. We hope our efforts will educate those moving into dormitories, apartments and other living spaces, and ensure a safe and easy Move-In Day for all.”   

After a successful pilot program in 2023, DCR installed the new more visible and durable “CARS ONLY” signs at each entrance to the river roads. The signs, which hang over the road at the same approximate height of the bridges, are struck whenever a vehicle too tall to drive under a bridge passes beneath them. The signs are designed to be durable enough to be struck by a vehicle without inflicting serious damage to the vehicle itself.  While bridge impacts occur throughout the year, they increase at the end of the summer as Boston area college students and new residents rent moving trucks that are too large to safely travel many of the city’s busiest roadways. 

 “Collisions involving bridges and over-height vehicles are damaging to infrastructure and dangerous for motorists, but can be prevented with proper planning,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This moving season, MassDOT is reminding drivers of moving trucks and other tall vehicles to know their vehicle’s height and plan their routes ahead of time to avoid roads with posted clearance limits, including Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive.” 

Each year, MSP Troopers respond to multiple instances of trucks that either become stuck under bridges or drivers who realize their trucks will not fit and need to be slowly backed out of the overpass. DCR, MSP, and MassDOT urge anyone renting a truck for their move into the Boston area to check whether bridges on their route of travel can accommodate the height of their vehicle, to seek alternative routes if not, and to observe height information on posted signage and electronic message boards. GPS and many other direction apps do not account for the size of a vehicle, drivers of trucks and large vans should explore apps like SmartTruckRoute, which account for larger vehicles. 

“The State Police welcomes the students and professionals coming to Massachusetts to pursue exciting growth opportunities this year. As you prepare for move in day, we work closely with local, state, and university partners to prevent you from driving an over height vehicle down the wrong roadway. Please make a travel plan to verify that your travel route can accommodate the height of your vehicle,” said State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “Storrowing is dangerous, and it creates a major disruption for commuters, businesses, public safety personnel, and highway workers. Thank you in advance for planning ahead and best of luck in your new home.” 

Leading up to Move-In Day on Monday, September 1, 2025, state agencies will deploy increased signage and message boards along the parkways to warn of height restrictions and no parking zones where necessary. DCR is also collaborating with educational institutions to share information and raise awareness through social media channels. Follow DCR on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and YouTube at @MassDCR for the latest updates. 

Building on the success of past years’ social media campaigns, DCR is rolling out more creative and engaging content, leveraging humor and memes. DCR’s public awareness campaign aims to ensure that new residents and returning students are well-informed about the risks of driving oversized vehicles on certain parkways, turning what could be a chaotic Move-In day into a safer more organized, experience for all.  

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