Massachusetts’ Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: Tips From a Well-Traveled Survivalist
I’ve driven through wildfires in California, ice storms in the Yukon, political riots in Eastern Europe, and dust storms in the Southwest. And let me tell you—Massachusetts might look tame on a postcard, but when disaster strikes, its roads can become hellish gauntlets. From Boston’s tangled network of tunnels to the rural backroads that seem to vanish into the woods, surviving here during a crisis takes more than a full tank and a vague plan. You need grit, precision, and a toolkit of survival driving skills honed by experience.
I’ve mapped out the worst roads to drive on in Massachusetts during a disaster, and I’m giving you 15 survival driving skills that can mean the difference between getting out clean—or not getting out at all. I’ll also include 3 DIY survival hacks for when the tank runs dry, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from escaping real-life gridlock and breakdowns, it’s this: when the system breaks, you’re on your own.
The Worst Roads in Massachusetts When Disaster Strikes
Let’s start with the problem zones. If you’re trying to evacuate during a hurricane, blizzard, EMP scenario, or even a long-term power outage, these roads can become deathtraps:
- I-93 (Boston to New Hampshire) – Always congested, and during a disaster, it turns into a parking lot. Too many exits and entry points—bad for security and speed.
- Route 128/95 (Boston Beltway) – Boston’s ring of chaos. Flooding, spin-outs, and bumper-to-bumper madness during snow or storm conditions.
- Storrow Drive (Boston) – Low clearance, limited exits, and it floods easily. A death trap during hurricanes or spring melts.
- Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) – Long stretches with no exits, easily shut down by snow or multi-car pileups.
- Route 2 (Western Mass) – Isolated stretches through hilly terrain, prone to black ice and wind damage.
- Route 3 (South Shore) – High traffic volume, especially in evacuations from Cape Cod or Plymouth area.
- Tobin Bridge (Boston) – If it’s compromised, you’re stuck. Plus, it’s a prime target during civil unrest.
- Route 9 (Worcester to Framingham) – Overloaded during any major incident, full of choke points and shopping areas.
- Route 24 (Fall River to Boston) – High-speed, but dangerous. Accidents happen fast, and in a crisis, EMTs may not reach you.
- Route 1A (North Shore) – Runs close to the coast and is prone to flooding and washouts during storms.
Avoid these like the plague when disaster hits—if you can.
15 Survival Driving Skills That Can Save Your Life
If you’re trying to escape a disaster, you need more than just a license. Here’s what I’ve picked up after years of surviving the world’s worst roads and conditions:
- Tactical Awareness Driving – Constantly scan ahead, behind, and side-to-side. Read the road like a battlefield.
- Escape Route Planning – Always have 3 exit options. Memorize side streets, dirt roads, utility easements.
- Stealth Mode – Kill your headlights, drive slow, and avoid main routes at night. No one can follow what they can’t see.
- Engine Braking on Declines – Saves brake wear and keeps control during icy or wet descents.
- Threshold Braking – Master the balance of braking hard without locking up. Saves lives on wet or snowy roads.
- Off-Road Maneuvering – Your SUV isn’t a mall crawler. Practice climbing curbs, ditch driving, and plowing through mud.
- Driving Without GPS – Learn to navigate with a compass and printed maps. Phones die. Satellites fail.
- Push-Start (Manual Only) – Learn to jump your vehicle with a hill or a buddy. Batteries die often in cold climates.
- Puncture Navigation – If you lose a tire, you can still limp to safety. Know when to ride the rim and when to stop.
- High-Speed Evasive Maneuvers – Practice J-turns and swerving without rolling. Life-saving in ambush or pursuit.
- Driving Under Fire – Keep speed, don’t stop, and use buildings as cover. It happens—just ask anyone who’s survived a riot.
- Urban Navigation Under Duress – Learn which alleyways, garages, and overpasses can shelter or conceal your vehicle.
- Flood Driving – Know your car’s air intake level. If water’s above it, you’re sunk—literally.
- Ice and Snow Control – Steer into the skid, brake gently, and carry sand, chains, or kitty litter.
- Fuel Conservation Driving – Smooth acceleration, low RPMs, and no idling. Every drop counts in a crisis.
3 DIY Gas Hacks for When You’re Out of Fuel
When your needle hits E and you’re miles from a station—or the pumps are down—you’ve got to get creative. I’ve tested these in real-world situations:
- Siphon With a Manual Pump (Or a Hose & Gravity)
If you find an abandoned vehicle or get access to a gas mower or generator, siphon the fuel. Always carry a food-grade siphon or hose. If gravity won’t help, use suction with a manual hand pump. Don’t use your mouth unless you want a stomach full of unleaded. - Alcohol Fuel Substitution (In Emergency)
Some vehicles (especially older ones or flex-fuel types) can run short distances on high-proof alcohol like Everclear. It’s inefficient and can damage the engine long-term—but it can get you 10–20 miles in a pinch. - Fuel From Lawn Equipment
Mowers, chainsaws, snowblowers—they all have small amounts of gas. Scavenge multiple small engines in garages or sheds and combine what you can. Use a coffee filter to screen out debris before funneling it into your tank.
Final Words From the Road
Massachusetts is an old state. Its roads were designed for horse carts and later patched into a modern system that barely handles normal traffic. Throw in a Category 2 hurricane, a blackout, or social unrest, and that thin layer of modern order peels right off.
You need to think like a survivalist: Every trip is a recon mission. Every mile is a risk. Every intersection is a decision.
Prep your vehicle like your life depends on it—because one day, it might. Keep your gear tight: a shovel, jumper cables, siphon kit, first aid, tow strap, compact air compressor, and a full tank whenever possible. Cache fuel if you have rural property. Know where bridges and tunnels are weak points—and where the backroads can give you the upper hand.
When the city lights go out and panic sets in, the people who get out fast and smart aren’t the ones who panic—they’re the ones who’ve practiced.
And trust me—I’ve lived through it.
TheDailyChristian 