We are going on our first real college visits this weekend. Travel is a major stressor for me, so I like to be overly prepared. We will be renting a car in Providence, RI. On Sunday we are driving from Providence to Amherst, MA for the day. It looks like it should take around 2 hours or less. It also looks like the shortest route is taking the Mass Turnpike. Will a rental car have a transponder for tolls? Should I bring the Illinois I-Pass I happen to have? Or do I not want to take the turnpike? Will there be fairly frequent places for restroom breaks? Anything else I should know? Thanks!
I frequently take the Mass Pike between I-91 and Boston. It uses EZ Pass which I believe will accept an I-Pass (you can check the EZ Pass website to make sure). There are rest stops, although I have never stopped at one before. It’s not unusual to hit traffic on I-90 and there are lots of trucks, but you are going to run into that on any major highway these days.
Hmmm. You usually can rent a transponder when you rent your car.
Check and see if it’s possible for you to enter your rental car plate number to your transponder. If so, do that. DH says we have done so when we rented a vehicle.
The Mass Pike has no toll booths…and if you don’t have a transponder they photo the plate and send a bill. I’m not sure this is what you want if you have a rental car!
I just looked and it looks like EZ Pass does take I Pass. You are better off using your own transponder since the rental companies will charge you a fee if you use theirs. Also I meant to say that I take the Mass Pike b/t I-84 and Boston.
Yes your transponder will work (we are in NJ and had one from Illinois for years). Just remember to bring it home!
I believe you will need to add the rental vehicle to your list of vehicles…I think that is what we did when we rented and drove.
And yes, agree…use the Mass Pike.
The Mass Pike is easy to drive on, no need to stress about it. (I’m a bit like you, and like to be overprepared for trips into unknown areas!)
FYI, if it is still possible to change tickets/rental location without penalty, it is MUCH easier to fly into Bradley, if you’re going to UMass Amherst. Bradley is a delightfully small airport, no traffic, never too busy. Plus it’s only about 45 min from UMass Amherst, an easy drive up 91.
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Thanks. We are visiting Brown and just driving out to Amherst for the day.