GETTING TO CAPE ANN, MA
Cape Ann is easy to reach by train, car or boat. By car, Cape Ann is less than an hour’s drive and approximately 35 miles from Boston and just over four hours from New York City. You can fly to Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) or Manchester, NH Airport (MHT). Commuter Rail Trains to Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester leave regularly from Boston’s North Station.
BY SEA |
By sea, navigate to Gloucester Harbor (42°35’N, 70°40’W). If you have any questions or concerns about Gloucester Harbor, transiting the Annisquam River, Blynman Bridge or the railroad bridge, please contact the Gloucester Harbor Master on Channel 16 or by telephone at (978) 282-3012. |
BY BUS |
Cape Ann Transportation Authority is a non-profit transit service that offers the convenience of transportation across the Cape Ann area, including additional services to Danvers and Peabody Malls and in Ipswich, Essex and Beverly. (CATA Routes & Schedules). |
BY RAIL |
Commuter Rail Trains to Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester leave regularly from Boston’s North Station (MBTA train information and schedule). |
BY AIR |
Information about Logan International Airport (Boston, MA) Information about Manchester/Boston Regional Airport (Manchester, NH) |
BY CAR |
click for Google Maps & Directions >> Cape Ann is located along the northeasterly stretch of Route 128 North, which ends in Gloucester. Use exits 16 and 15 for Manchester-by-the-Sea and Magnolia, exits 18, 15 and 14 for Essex, and exits 14 and 13 for West Gloucester and Gloucester Harbor. Get to Rockport by continuing north along Route 127 or Route 127A from Gloucester. Cape Ann is also located at the hub of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway and may be reached via the byway from Interstate 95 and points north along Route 133 through Ipswich and into Essex, and from Beverly and Salem and points south along coastal Route 127 into Manchester-by-the-Sea. |
Note About Interstate 95 and Route 128
Route 128 and Interstate 95 are the same highway from southern Massachusetts until Peabody, MA. In Peabody, Route 95 branches off toward New Hampshire and Maine. When traveling north on Interstate 95/Route 128, you must stay on Route 128 by keeping to the left at exit 45.
From Logan Airport
Go right off the airport exit road onto Route 1A North. Follow for 3 miles to Route 60 West. Follow Route 60 to Route 1 North (in Saugus). Follow Route 1 North onto Route 128/95 North and follow directions above. In normal traffic, this drive takes about an hour.
From the North (New Hampshire, Maine, etc.)
From Interstate 93 or Route 3 (Northwestern MA and New Hampshire), follow Interstate 93 or Route 3 South to Interstate 95 North. Follow Interstate 95 North to Route 128 North and follow directions above.
From Manchester, NH Airport
Take a right at the bottom of the airport exit road, onto Route 293 South/101 East, following signs to Interstate 93 South. Turn right onto Interstate 93 South and follow directions via Interstate 93 South above.
From Interstate 95 (Maine and Eastern New Hampshire)
Follow Interstate 95 South to Route 133 (Exit 54), and follow Route 133 East via Ipswich into Essex and Cape Ann along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway.
From the South (Boston and South Shore)
Follow either Interstate 93 or Route 1 North to Interstate 95 North/Route 128 and follow directions above.
From the West (New York, Northwestern MA, VT, etc.)
Follow Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) East to Exit 14 (Interstate 95). From northwestern MA or southern VT, follow Route 2 East to Interstate 95. Take Interstate 95 North and follow directions above. (NYC Hint: Interstate 95 is often extremely congested through NY, CT and RI. It is almost always faster to take I-684 North to I-84 East to I-90 East).