Should I Bring a Car?

Martha's Vineyard is an island, so whether or not you bring a car is a decision that is important to consider.

Our roads are small and were not designed to support the number of visitors we often see in the summer, so sometimes not having a car can be more relaxing than having one! The following list of Pros and Cons is designed to help you make an informed decision about bringing a car to the Island.

Traveling by bike, however is a great alternative way to get around the Island. So while you're deciding if you should bring wheels, consider bringing just two instead of four.

Pros

If you are bringing children, staying for a week or longer, staying in a more rural or distant area (such as Menemsha, Chilmark, Aquinnah or Chappaquiddick) or have a lot of luggage you need to bring, you may want to bring a car.

Walk-on passengers have more transportation options than autos and the cost is significantly less. The only service that carries autos is the Steamship Authority via the Woods Hole port (just outside Falmouth, MA). Walk on service is available from a number of other carriers and through a variety of ports including Woods Hole, Falmouth, New Bedford, MA and Hyannis. See the ferries page for a complete listing of ferries.

While there is a good variety of on-island transportation, including bus service, taxis and rental cars, these may be limiting or expensive if you will be traveling around the Island a great deal (especially from up-island towns). Island rental cars are often sold out on popular weekends and can be expensive. Taxis, which are readily available, can become costly if you are traveling from one end of the Island to the other (easily a 30-45 minute ride each way). The VTA, our local bus service, is quite affordable, but if you are traveling with small children and all their gear, you may find it awkward to manage.

If you choose to walk onto the boat, you will have to carry your belongings onto the ferry as well. This means you may need to transport yourself, your "stuff" and any family members who require assistance from the car, to the parking shuttle, to the boat. If you are carrying a lot, inquire about luggage service to help minimize the hassle. Better yet, pack light and keep it simple! The Vineyard is a casual place where a minimal amount of "fancy dress" is needed. So lighten your load and walk on!

Having your own car does mean you can go where you want, when you want without worrying much about schedules and fees. Another way to obtain this freedom is to explore the Island by bike, or to rent a car for a day or two and travel by public transportation in between.

Cons

You must have ferry reservations for your car in season and getting the time and day you want in the summer months can be difficult. Reservations are often sold out well in advance. Auto ferry reservations are also much more expensive than walk-on reservations. Auto fees (without the driver or passengers) range from $34 -$55 each way depending on the season. Visit www.steamshipauthority.com for complete information on auto reservations, fares and schedules.

If you do choose to bring your car on-island you will soon realize that the roads can be quite crowded in the downtown areas. With the exception of "the blinker" (the one flashing light on the entire island) there are no traffic lights here. That, combined with a significant swell of cars in the summer, can result in traffic back ups at key intersections which can mean delays when trying to navigate via a few central points. Also, finding parking in town can be difficult. Watch for "park and ride" areas near the perimeter of town where you can leave your car in a lot and take a short, free shuttle into town.

If you do leave your car on the mainland, you'll notice that the boat parking lots can be expensive. Depending on which port you are traveling through, you may find less expensive parking options a bit farther from the boat which include shuttle service. Arrive early and check out your options. A few words of caution on this: Do not park on the streets in Falmouth or Woods Hole, on any private property, or in any area where long-term parking is prohibited or you will be towed. Also, do not take too long looking for parking or you may ultimately end up missing your boat.

As an island, all our resources must be transported here via boat or plane. This includes fuel. Consequently you will find that gas and other auto service requirements are generally 20-30% more expensive than you will find off-island. If you do bring your car, try to drive only when truly necessary e.g. when traveling long distances, or when carrying a large group or many items. Use bikes or local transportation for your other getting around needs and you'll minimize both frustration and costs.

Navigating our rural and beautiful island can be somewhat tricky once you get off the (few) main roads. Many of our roads are dirt, and even more are unmarked. These roads can run for miles and are very dark at night. Getting lost on a long dirt road at night while looking for some obscure road marker can be frustrating. Taxis know their way around the Island and can be well worth their fees.

Once on the Island, whether you bring your car or not, you'll find a lot to see and do, and a number of great ways to get around. Bike, walk, combine the bus and bike for a day's adventure. Each day ask yourself, "Should I bring the car today?" and whenever possible, decide to leave your car behind.

For more information on getting around on the Island once you are here, visit getting around on this site.