There are more details in other parts of this section. But in terms of road trips, it's important to remember that from Memorial Day through Labor Day, sometimes longer, I-95 from Boston to Maine becomes sluggish (even stopped-to-a-standstill) on Friday afternoons and evenings as weekend traffic backs up at the toll gates for miles. Sunday nights bring a reverse-repeat of this scene. It might sound comical that you could be stuck in gridlock in a tidal flat in the middle of nowhere; trust me, it's not nearly so funny once you're ensnared in it. U.S. Route 1 along the coast seems like an escape route—but it's not.

Instead, it bottlenecks at the same times of day and week, especially in spots where two-lane bridges span the local tidal rivers. There's really no cure for this condition; you can, however, do a few things to prevent getting stuck. Try to stay put on weekends and during the big summer holidays—travel midweek or midday instead, if at all possible. Or simply take an extra day off work and head back after the holiday crush. It'll pay handsome dividends in lowered blood pressure—and you'll save a few hours you would have wasted idling your engine going nowhere.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.