Evacuation Guide

Boston, Massachusetts Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Nor'easter

Boston averages 1-3 significant nor'easters per year. These powerful storms bring heavy snow, hurricane-force gusts, and coastal flooding. The January 2015 series dropped 9+ feet of snow in one month.

Hurricane

While less frequent than the Southeast, Boston has been struck by major hurricanes. 1938 Great New England Hurricane was Category 3. Warm Gulf Stream waters can intensify storms rapidly near New England.

Blizzard

Major blizzards can paralyze the city for days. Travel bans enforced on highways. MBTA service suspended. Boston received 110+ inches of snow in winter 2014-2015.

Coastal Flood

Rising sea levels make coastal flooding more frequent. Boston Harbor floods at high tide during nor'easters. Seaport District, East Boston, and Charlestown Navy Yard most vulnerable. Climate projections show worsening trends.

Evacuation Routes

I-93 North to New Hampshire

primary

Primary northern evacuation via I-93 through the north suburbs into New Hampshire. Direct access to less populated areas.

50 miles to Manchester, NH1 hour (normal), 3-5 hours (evacuation)

I-93 through Boston is the Big Dig - tunnel segments can flood or close

Zakim Bridge is major bottleneck heading north

Nor'easter

Coastal Flood

Hurricane

I-90 West (Mass Pike) to Springfield

primary

Western evacuation via the Massachusetts Turnpike. Major toll road with consistent services heading to western Massachusetts.

92 miles to Springfield1.5 hours (normal), 4-6 hours (evacuation)

Mass Pike is a toll road - carry E-ZPass or cash

Pike through Boston (Big Dig tunnels) can flood during storms

Blizzard

Coastal Flood

Infrastructure Failure

I-95 / Route 128 South to Providence

secondary

Southern evacuation via I-95 (Route 128) heading south to Providence, RI. Major interstate with good infrastructure.

50 miles to Providence1 hour (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

Southeast Expressway is notorious for congestion

Braintree split (I-93/I-95) is a major bottleneck

Blizzard

Infrastructure Failure

Civil Unrest

Route 2 West to Fitchburg

tertiary

Northwestern evacuation via Route 2 through Concord and Leominster to Fitchburg. Scenic route away from coast.

50 miles to Fitchburg1 hour (normal), 2-3 hours (evacuation)

Route 2 is two lanes in sections - slow during heavy traffic

Rotaries/roundabouts can cause confusion and delays

Coastal Flood

Hurricane

Nor'easter

Freedom Trail to Waterfront / Charlestown

foot

On-foot evacuation from downtown through the Freedom Trail corridor to Charlestown Navy Yard and Bunker Hill. Avoids tunnel/highway chokepoints.

4 miles to Charlestown1.5-2 hours on foot

Freedom Trail is cobblestone in sections - wear appropriate footwear

North End streets are narrow and can be crowded

Vehicle Unavailable

Tunnel Closure

Grid Down

Interactive Map

Loading map...

Open in Google Maps

Safe Zones & Rally Points

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Massachusetts General Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 999

Brigham and Women's Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 793

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 672

Boston Fire Station 10 (Back Bay)

fire station

Boston Common Rally Point

rally point

Franklin Park

rally point

Fenway Park Area

rally point

Logan Airport (Emergency Staging)

resource

Harvard University Campus (Cambridge)

shelter • Capacity: 3,000

Greater Boston Food Bank

resource

Tufts Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 415

Get Your Personalized Escape Plan

Generate a complete AI-powered evacuation plan with gear recommendations, family coordination, and step-by-step instructions.

Generate My Plan