Drivers On This Massachusetts Highway Had a Cruel Reality Check Over the Weekend

Saturday felt like summer across New England

As soon as the sun rose on Saturday, it didn't take long for it to feel like we skipped right over spring (which it feels like we've barely had) and kicked summer right into gear. Areas of New England (mostly inland) hit 90 degrees, with coastal areas still feeling summerish with temps in the 80s, giving Mainers, Granite Staters, and other New Englanders a real good reason to get outdoors.

Bars with patios, rooftop decks or decks overlooking the lake or ocean were all packed. Some put on their best polos and hit the links for either 9 or 18 holes of fun and daydrinking. And a massive amount of New Englanders packed up the car and immediately set out for a sandy beach to plop down on and get some Vitamin D. Unfortunately, since we've been out of beach season for a good 8 months or so, we tend to forget that comes with some heinous traffic.

Merrimack Valley beach traffic in Massachusetts is terrible

While heading to meet my buddy at a golf course in Georgetown, Mass on Saturday afternoon, I was thankful that I was hopping on 495 south and not north as I cruised down 213 because if you've tried driving to either Hampton or Salisbury beach coming from the Merrimack Valley, you know that the ramp that merges 213 and 495 north is always a parking lot early on getting up to the beach.

And it didn't even let up later on in the evening, as traffic was reportedly gridlocked heading back from the beach on 495 south. A harsh and cruel reminder that in a few weeks when we're officially in summer gear, getting to Seacoast New Hampshire beaches on 495 and 95, and especially getting up to Maine on 95 will be horrendous.

Buckle in, New England. Business is about to pick up!