Massachusetts: AAA Warns Potential Record-Breaking July 4th Traffic
The Fourth of July always represents a celebratory time: fireworks, cook-outs, boats, and summertime. However, according to AAA‘s travel preview, travelers should prepare for potential record-breaking traffic numbers this July 4th weekend in Massachusetts.
“AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend, setting a new record for the holiday,” they state. The previous record-setting 4th of July travel was pre-pandemic in 2019. That weekend saw 49 million travelers.
Of the 50.7 million Americans projected to travel, AAA estimates that 43.2 million will travel by car. They also point out that a key component here could be the fact that gas prices have lowered. Last year at this time, the average was $4.80 per gallon. Whereas this year, the national average is about $3.55.
What Does This Mean For Boston?
AAA detailed their holiday traffic expectations for many of the major markets in the country. For Boston, they believe peak congestion will be around 11 am this Friday (June 30), along the route of Boston to Hyannis, Cape Cod. This typical 70-mile drive averages about an hour and 50 minutes door-to-door. Under the 2023 holiday projection, it is expected this route next week will take two hours and twenty-four minutes on average.
You can find AAA’s forecast on the best and worst times to travel by car from Thursday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 5th, about halfway down the page here. In short, on July 4th the best time to drive is before 11 am or after 6 pm. The worst times will be from 12-3 pm.
Other Travel Tips
“Travel demand has been steadily increasing since 2020, and this summer is poised to be one for the record books,” AAA concludes.Leaving for car trips in the early morning or after 6 pm will help travelers avoid heavy congestion.
Furthermore, carpooling, walking where applicable, and leveraging all travel apps available will help you follow local traffic patterns and seek alternate routes, so that you don’t spend your July 4th stuck in the potentially record-breaking Massachusetts traffic.
Massachusetts: Margarita Brand Has Become One of the Northeast's Most Popular
Weymouth, Massachusetts, approximately 15 miles from Boston, is the home to one of New England’s most popular Margarita brands. In fact, each bottle is still hand-crafted there. Rustic Spirits has become a well-known Margarita drink thanks to the hard work and dedication of founder, Vytas Makstutis.
“I still remember squeezing the limes into the bucket for that first small batch that I made in my basement,” he states. Makstutis came to America from Lithuania and dedicated his life to making the perfect Margarita in 2006. They key has always been that all the ingredients are fresh. Pouring his life savings into establishing a business, Makstutis would frequently travel to Mexico to pick agave plants to distill the tequila.
“After making it all in my basement for six years, delivering to all neighborhoods on the south shore and other parts of the state, I realized I could not keep up with the demand. I decided to move my basement operation to a bigger place. It was a warehouse where I also lived and slept for five years,” Makstutis tells me in an interview.
“I used to take a shower at a fitness club across the street and go back to work to build the business. I gave up all I had to keep it all going to eventually deliver the product to the stores. There’s self-made wooden cabin off the back of my building where I still sleep every night.”
Makstutis was frequently told his concept would never work, and that he should give up. That made him work harder. He believed in his process, his product, and himself. Now, Rustic Spirits has become a household name when it comes to recognizable Margarita options in New England.
Just Pour
The Rustic Spirts slogan of “Just Pour” references the fact that no other ingredients are needed to enjoy the drink. Everything is prepared and mixed correctly in the bottle. So all you have to do is pour the the margarita over some ice in a glass and enjoy.
“Now, in many liquor stores, we outsell larger companies like Cuervo, Skinny Girl, etc,” Makstutis concludes.
Cinco de Mayo is just days away. It’s the perfect time to learn more about how this Massachusetts Margarita brand has become one of the most popular on the east coast.
Try Rustic Spirts and find a store near you at RusticSpirits.com.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
