Cape Cod curls out into the Atlantic from the southeast corner of Massachusetts like a flexed arm, and for generations it has been where New England goes to the beach. There are lighthouses, salt marshes, clam shacks, cedar-shingled villages and, at the outer end, the great dunes and ocean beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore. From Boston it is an easy drive, with one catch: the two bridges over the Cape Cod Canal, which can back up for miles on summer weekends.

The route in order

  1. Boston to Plymouth (about 45 minutes). Take Interstate 93 south and then Route 3 toward the Cape. Plymouth is worth a stop: Plymouth Rock on the waterfront, a replica of the Mayflower in the harbor when it is there, and a living history museum just south of town.
  2. Plymouth to the canal (about 20 minutes). Route 3 ends at the Sagamore Bridge, high over the Cape Cod Canal. The Bourne Bridge, a few miles west, leads toward Falmouth and Woods Hole.
  3. Across the Cape. US 6, the Mid-Cape Highway, is the fast road down the middle. Route 6A, the Old King's Highway, runs parallel along the bay side through Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth Port, Dennis and Brewster, past old houses, antique shops and salt marsh. It is slower and much prettier.
  4. The Outer Cape (about 1 hour from the canal to Orleans and Eastham, without traffic). At Orleans the Cape turns north. From Eastham to Provincetown, US 6 runs through Wellfleet and Truro alongside the National Seashore.
  5. Provincetown, at the very tip, about 2.5 hours from Boston in light traffic. It is an old fishing port and artists' colony, and a lively LGBTQ destination with a busy main street.

Where to stop

  • Cape Cod National Seashore: start at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach are classic ocean beaches. The Marconi Station site in Wellfleet marks early transatlantic radio. Race Point and the Province Lands near Provincetown have dunes and bike trails.
  • Chatham: an elegant town at the elbow, with a lighthouse and gray seals offshore.
  • Falmouth and Woods Hole: a classic town green, and the ferry port for Martha's Vineyard. Ferries to Nantucket leave from Hyannis.
  • The Cape Cod Rail Trail: a paved bike path on an old railroad bed through Dennis, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet.
  • Sandwich: one of the oldest towns on the Cape, just over the canal, with a glass museum, a boardwalk across the marsh and a quiet village center around a mill pond.

When to go

July and August are high season: warm water by New England standards, busy towns, full lodging and heavy traffic. June and September are often the sweet spot, with fewer people and mostly open businesses. Fall is quiet and lovely for walking. In winter many shops and restaurants close, especially on the Outer Cape, but the beaches are empty and dramatic.

Traffic and practical tips

  • Time the bridges: on summer weekends, traffic heading onto the Cape peaks on Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday morning; leaving, it peaks on Sunday afternoon. Travel early in the morning or midweek if you can.
  • Beach parking: many town beaches require a parking permit or daily fee, and the National Seashore charges for beach parking in season. Check before you go.
  • Provincetown parking: limited and in demand in summer. Use a public lot and walk.
  • Ferries: if you plan to take a car to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, vehicle space on the ferries books up far ahead. Many visitors leave the car on the mainland.
  • Ocean safety: the outer beaches have strong currents and steep drop-offs, and great white sharks feed on the seals offshore. Swim where lifeguards are on duty and follow posted warnings.
  • No car? In summer, ferries run from Boston to Provincetown, which can be easier than driving.

Before or after the Cape, spend time in the city with Boston in two days, and see where to stay in Boston.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do Cape Cod as a day trip from Boston?

Plymouth and the Upper Cape work as a day trip. Reaching Provincetown and back in a day is long; one or two nights is better.

Which road is better, Route 6 or Route 6A?

Route 6 is faster. Route 6A is far more scenic. Take 6A at least one way.

Is the water warm enough to swim?

By late July and August, the bay-side beaches and Nantucket Sound are usually comfortable. The ocean side stays cooler.