Hyannis mass. To jackson new hampshire, avoiding going thro

Question

We are going up to Jackson New Hampshire from Hyannis, Massachusetts the week of the 19th. How do we avoid going through Boston?

Answer

Yes — you *can* travel from Hyannis, MA (on Cape Cod) to Jackson, NH without going “through the center of” Boston, MA. It requires using bypass-style highways rather than the usual Route 3 → I-95 → I-93 corridor. What you need to do is skirt around Boston to avoid downtown traffic. Here’s how.

Best driving / driving-route strategy to avoid Boston

From Hyannis take US-6 (or local Cape roads) north/west to reach the Cape Cod Canal area and then get onto MA Route 3 north.
Before you approach Boston you want to avoid the core — instead of following Route 3 → I-95 near Boston, you switch to the outer bypass: take Interstate 495 (the belt-way that loops around Boston to the west / northwest). This lets you pass around the city and bypass heavy downtown traffic. Many travelers coming from Cape Cod do exactly this when heading into New Hampshire or western Massachusetts.
Stay on I-495 until you reach I-93 north (or continue on roads leading toward the White Mountains region), then take I-93 (or a suitable northbound route) up into New Hampshire toward Jackson. Once on I-93, follow the usual White Mountains roads into Jackson.

Alternative: Public-transport / Bus/Train + Car-rental or Shuttle Option

If you prefer not to drive the whole way or want fewer headaches with navigation, there are public-transport + shuttle/bus options from Cape Cod to New Hampshire — though they typically go via Boston or near it. For example, you could take a bus from Hyannis toward Boston / south-shore transit, then another bus/train north into New Hampshire.

Why using I-495 helps avoid Boston

I-495 is specifically meant as an outer belt around Boston — it arcs outside the main metropolitan area instead of feeding into the city center.
Although it adds some extra mileage/time compared to going “straight” through Boston, it bypasses heavy city traffic, tunnels, and inner-city congestion — which can save time, reduce stress, and make the drive much easier, especially heading north toward New Hampshire.

Rough Drive-Time / Distance Estimate (Cape → Jackson via Bypass)

From Boston to Jackson, NH is about 146 miles by “normal” route. Starting from Hyannis and using the bypass around Boston will add some time, but once you are on I-495 and I-93 the bulk of the distance becomes straightforward. Depending on traffic and exact Cape departure point, plan on roughly 4.5–5.5 hours total drive time.

What to check before you go

Use a GPS or mapping app (Waze, Google Maps, etc.) and select “avoid downtown / avoid city center” if possible — that helps ensure the route stays on I-495 rather than drifting toward Boston.
Avoid peak commute times around Boston (morning and late afternoon) — especially if you are passing near I-93 / I-95 — even on I-495 there can be traffic surges.
Check road conditions / weather — in November or shoulder seasons the White Mountains region can have early snow or slick roads; plan accordingly.
Refuel before long stretches — once you enter the more rural New Hampshire highways toward Jackson there may be long stretches between gas stations.

Summary

Yes — you don’t need to go “through Boston” to get from Hyannis to Jackson. The best strategy is to take Cape roads/US-6 → MA Route 3, then pick up I-495 to skirt around Boston, before switching to I-93 north into New Hampshire and onward to Jackson. This route adds a little driving time but avoids city traffic, tunnels, and downtown congestion, making the journey smoother and more relaxed.

Hyannis mass. To jackson new hampshire, avoiding going thro

More Boston Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions