Driving to Fenway Marathon Day

Question

Have tix for the 11a game this year and will be driving down for Maine. Normally, 95S to Rt 1 to Storrow to Kenmore Sq, which I assume will be closed. What’s a good re-route?

Answer

Driving to Fenway on Marathon Day can definitely be tricky, especially with major roads closed or diverted for the race. Storrow Drive, in particular, is typically closed to traffic, and the marathon route can cause congestion around Kenmore Square. However, there are alternate routes you can take to get to Fenway Park without getting caught in the race day closures.

1. Use I-90 (Mass Pike) to the Allston/Brighton area – The easiest and most straightforward route is to take I-90 (Mass Pike) into Boston. From there, you can exit at Exit 18 (Allston/Cambridge), which leads you to Western Ave. This area is usually open during the marathon, and you can easily drive through the Allston/Brighton area to get closer to Fenway Park. Once you're in this area, continue heading towards the Fenway/Kenmore area.

2. Avoid Storrow Drive and take Memorial Drive – If you’re coming from the north on 95S, after passing the Boston University Bridge, you can continue along Memorial Drive in Cambridge instead of turning toward Storrow. Memorial Drive should be open, and you can take it into the city, then loop around the Charles River to approach Fenway Park from the Back Bay side. Once you cross over into Boston, you’ll be able to head toward Fenway without going through the Storrow/Comm Ave area.

3. Head into the South End via Mass Ave or Albany Street – Another option is to use Massachusetts Avenue (Mass Ave) south toward the South End. While some of the roads near Fenway will be closed, you can usually access the South End via Albany Street, which takes you to Harrison Ave and then allows you to loop back toward Fenway from the south side. This route can help you avoid the worst of the Marathon Day traffic near the finish line and Kenmore.

4. Plan for Parking & Arrival Time – Marathon Day brings heavy traffic and limited parking, so even with a good route, it’s a good idea to allow extra time to get there. Parking garages near Fenway will likely fill up fast, so consider looking for parking farther away and using a short walk or public transport if necessary. Public transportation (the T) is a great backup if driving proves to be too complicated due to road closures.

Alternate Routes Summary:

Take I-90 (Mass Pike) into Boston, exiting at Exit 18 for Allston/Brighton. From there, navigate through Western Ave towards Fenway.
Use Memorial Drive (instead of Storrow) to approach Fenway from the Cambridge side.
Drive through the South End via Mass Ave or Albany Street to bypass marathon road closures.

Important Tips:

Check Marathon Route Closures: The Boston Marathon website or a traffic app like Waze will give you up-to-the-minute updates on road closures, which can help you adjust your route on the day of.
Arrive Early: Traffic and road closures can make it tricky to get to Fenway, so aim to arrive at least 2 hours before the game to account for delays.
Public Transportation: If the traffic is overwhelming, you might want to park further out and take the T or a shuttle bus to Fenway to avoid marathon-related delays.

Overall, by taking these alternate routes and planning ahead, you should be able to make it to the game on time, even on Marathon Day. Safe travels!