<p>Last time we visited Tufts we came up 95 and reached the Medford/Somerville area via one of the numerous exits off that underground section of highway. We were lucky enough to navigate through OK, but had the uneasy feeling that a wrong exit could plop us right into city traffic in the middle of Boston…
Are there any other approaches to Tufts (from the west perhaps?) where you can avoid that crazy section? A mellower ride would be worth a bit of extra time, esp. if a student has to drive it alone.
Thanks</p>
<p>You can take route 128N to route 2 East and then to 16 East (you pick up 16 east near the Arlington/Somerville/Cambridge line) follow this into Somerville.
Make a right on Broadway in Somerville (there is a Foodmaster at the corner)
and this will take you into the Tufts area–good luck</p>
<p>I think you might have actually been on 93 if you got to Tufts via an underground exit</p>
<p>If you were on an underground exit, I have no idea where you were. Sounds as if you took the Mass Pike all the way into Boston (much of which is shut down with the Big Dig problems), then up 93. </p>
<p>I second the idea of Rt. 2. So, from the Mass Pike:
Mass Pike to Rt. 128/95 N. (Exit 10? off the Pike)
Rt. 128N to Exit 29A (I think it’s 29A), Rt. 2 East
Rt. 2 to the Alewife intersection (huge building on your right and probably traffic).
Take a right onto Rt. 16/Alewife Brook Parkway (check name)
Go approximately 1 mile. You’ll go through three sets of lights, one of which is constantly (more or less) on blinking yellow.<br>
You’ll come to a small rotary. At this point, Tufts is directly ahead of you, albeit not in sight. If you are going to “downhill,” take a right onto Powderhouse Blvd. After a few sets of lights, you’ll come to a sign that says, “Tufts University” on the corner of Powderhouse and Packard. Lewis Hall is in front of you. If you continue down to the next rotary, you’ll be able to get to College Ave.
If you are going uphill, you can either follow the above directions, taking a right onto Packard, or, you can take a left at the rotary and then a right onto Boston Ave. That will take you towards the athletic fields, Dowling Hall, and the Hill Hall/Hillsides area.</p>
<p>Thanks, both!
Am going to print these up and attach them to a local map. Wasn’t thrilled with the route we took on our first visit (which I think was the route you mentioned, Ariesathena), and hit lots of traffic heading into Boston. These are much appreciated.</p>
<p>Don’t hit the Alewife area around 8 am nor around 6 pm, although it’s not nearly as bad at night.</p>
<p>I just returned from Tufts yesterday. I had no problems with the traffic or getting lost (patting myself on the back). Granted I flew into Logan, but I rented a car. Having never driven in Boston, I was clueless about the best route to take. 93 N and S were great almost any time of day. 16 E and W was also fine as was 28. One caution, I am from the greater Los Angeles area, so what do I know about driving in Boston!!!</p>