Press Release  MassDOT Encourages Memorial Day Travelers to Plan Ahead for Busy Weekend

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging individuals who plan to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend to plan ahead, expect increased travel volumes, utilize MassDOT’s “real time” travel tools and resources, and take public transportation as much as possible to help get to destinations.   

"Memorial Day weekend consistently brings some of the highest travel volumes of the year on Massachusetts roadways," said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "We encourage travelers to plan ahead, make use of resources such as Mass511 for real-time traffic information, and avoid distractions behind the wheel to help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely." 

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend. Friday, May 22 is expected to be the busiest travel day. On Saturday, May 23, drivers are encouraged to avoid late morning and early afternoon travel, with traffic expected to be lightest in the evening. On Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25, traffic is expected to be heaviest during mid-day hours.

The I-93 Boston-Quincy High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane will deploy early in the afternoons for the holiday weekend opening at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22. The HOV lane will not be deployed on Monday, May 25, and will return to normal deployment times on Tuesday, May 26.   

Due to Monday, May 25, being the Memorial Day holiday, all Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed including statewide Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customer service center locations. Customers can conduct more than 60 RMV transactions online using the RMV’s website at www.mass.gov/RMV. In addition, customers who are members of AAA can make an appointment at a AAA location for some Registry transactions.

In addition, the MBTA has released the following information:  

• On Monday, May 25, all subway and bus services will operate on a Sunday schedule.   
• The RIDE will operate on a Saturday schedule. 
• East Boston, Charlestown, Lynn, Winthrop, and Quincy Ferry services will operate on a weekend schedule. Hingham/Hull/Logan to Boston Ferry service will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
• The Commuter Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Riders are also encouraged to utilize the $10 Weekend Pass during the holiday, which will be accepted for trips on all three days of federal holiday weekends starting Memorial Day weekend.  
• The Charlie Service Center will be closed.  
• Seasonal weekend service to Houghton’s Pond will return on route 716 beginning Saturday, May 23, 2026, and it will run through Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 12). Learn more here.
• For full details regarding MBTA service, mbta.com/holidays.  

For those flying through Boston Logan International Airport, Massport is expecting an increase in passengers around the weekend. Travelers are urged to use public transit and HOV modes such as the MBTA’s Blue Line, Silver Line (which is free from Logan), and Logan Express. We suggest passengers download the free FlyLogan app to access information about the airport, flight status, purchase Logan Express tickets, reserve parking, order food for pick up, among other services. Passengers can also now book tickets for the Logan Airport Remote Terminal at Framingham, a new pilot program that allows passengers to check in and go through security in Framingham. For more information about Logan Airport, please visit: https://www.massport.com/logan-airport

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:      

• Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.               
• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.     
• Follow @MassDOT on X, (formerly known as Twitter), to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.         

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