Beat the traffic to Cape Cod on Labor Day weekend

     Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA, photo from MOTT

It's finally here. Labor Day weekend, a three day holiday for working men and women. A time to rest, relax,  have fun and escape on the day trip of your dreams.

With a terrific weather forecast this weekend, especially after such a wet and wild summer, people from all over New England will be heading to Cape Cod for a day or overnight trip for that last blast of summer. 

That's the good news.

Now, for a little reality. Driving to the Cape any time during the summer is a dicey proposition. Add to that the fact that Labor day weekend is probably the worst time to drive to this jewel of Massachusetts, precisely because everyone else is headed there, too.

Now, some helpful news. There are some better-maybe even good days/times for travel-to help you avoid those awful traffic jams that seem to go on for miles. . According to the new website Smart Guide to Cape Cod, a public service of  The Cape Cod National Seashore, you can make late summer and early fall travel to Cape Cod a little less stressful. For example, Smart Guide gives this advice:

• Sunday-Thursday - any time and on Fridays before 2 PM or after 9 PM

• Saturdays before 8 AM or after 2 PM

Best Times to drive Off the Cape

• Monday-Friday - except Monday holidays between 2-9 PM 

• Saturdays after 2 PM and Sundays before 1 PM  or after 9 PM.

Travel Times to Avoid Arriving on Cape Cod 

• Fridays 2-9 PM

• Saturdays 8 AM -2 PM

Sundays or Monday holidays 1-9 PM

For more tips about travel to Cape Cod: Read Labor Day travel tips for Cape Cod

For more information: Visit the Smart Guides website