Route 6 is the portion of the cross-country
U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6, also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, after the veterans association of the same name, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to Long Beach,...
in the state of
MassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most of its population of...
. Route 6 runs in the state connecting
Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, and one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region...
to Fall River, New Bedford, and
Cape CodCape Cod, often referred to as simply the Cape, and called Cape of Keel by early Norse explorers, is a peninsula in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States. It is coextensive with Barnstable County...
. In the Fall River and New Bedford areas, Route 6 is a secondary highway paralleling Interstate 195. Within Cape Cod, Route 6 is the primary highway interconnecting the towns of the area.
Route 6 is a 4-lane arterial road for approximately its first from the
Rhode IslandRhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
line (crossing into Massachusetts from
East ProvidenceEast Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 48,688 at the 2000 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.It is a suburb of Providence.-Geography:...
to
SeekonkSeekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Rhode Island border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,425 at the 2000 census.-Early years:...
) to the
Cape Cod CanalThe Cape Cod Canal is a man-made waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
, except for sections in
New BedfordNew Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located 51 miles south of Boston, 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 12 miles east of Fall River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 93,768, making it the seventh-largest in the...
(where it runs along two one-way city streets) and
Fall RiverFall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and 12 miles south of Taunton. The city's population was 91,938 during the 2000 census, making it the eighth largest...
(where it runs along a two-lane President Avenue).
After crossing the canal via the
Sagamore BridgeThe Sagamore Bridge in Sagamore, Massachusetts carries U.S. Route 6 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
, it becomes a 4-lane
freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
, known as the
Mid-Cape Highway, from
BourneBourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
to
DennisDennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,973 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Dennis, please see the articles on Dennis , Dennis Port, East Dennis, South Dennis, and West...
at the Exit 9A/B
cloverleafA cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns are handled by loop roads...
(Mile 78), then reduces to a
two-lane freewayA two-lane expressway is an expressway with only one lane in each direction, and usually no median barrier. It may be built that way because of constraints, or may be intended for expansion once traffic volumes rise. The term super two is often used by roadgeeks for this type of road, but traffic...
with plastic stanchions posted on a small
asphaltAsphalt is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits sometimes termed asphaltum...
median.
Route 6 is the portion of the cross-country
U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6, also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, after the veterans association of the same name, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to Long Beach,...
in the state of
MassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most of its population of...
. Route 6 runs in the state connecting
Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, and one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region...
to Fall River, New Bedford, and
Cape CodCape Cod, often referred to as simply the Cape, and called Cape of Keel by early Norse explorers, is a peninsula in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States. It is coextensive with Barnstable County...
. In the Fall River and New Bedford areas, Route 6 is a secondary highway paralleling Interstate 195. Within Cape Cod, Route 6 is the primary highway interconnecting the towns of the area.
Route description
Route 6 is a 4-lane arterial road for approximately its first from the
Rhode IslandRhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
line (crossing into Massachusetts from
East ProvidenceEast Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 48,688 at the 2000 census, making it the fifth largest city in the state.It is a suburb of Providence.-Geography:...
to
SeekonkSeekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Rhode Island border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,425 at the 2000 census.-Early years:...
) to the
Cape Cod CanalThe Cape Cod Canal is a man-made waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
, except for sections in
New BedfordNew Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located 51 miles south of Boston, 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 12 miles east of Fall River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 93,768, making it the seventh-largest in the...
(where it runs along two one-way city streets) and
Fall RiverFall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and 12 miles south of Taunton. The city's population was 91,938 during the 2000 census, making it the eighth largest...
(where it runs along a two-lane President Avenue).
After crossing the canal via the
Sagamore BridgeThe Sagamore Bridge in Sagamore, Massachusetts carries U.S. Route 6 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
, it becomes a 4-lane
freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
, known as the
Mid-Cape Highway, from
BourneBourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
to
DennisDennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,973 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Dennis, please see the articles on Dennis , Dennis Port, East Dennis, South Dennis, and West...
at the Exit 9A/B
cloverleafA cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns are handled by loop roads...
(Mile 78), then reduces to a
two-lane freewayA two-lane expressway is an expressway with only one lane in each direction, and usually no median barrier. It may be built that way because of constraints, or may be intended for expansion once traffic volumes rise. The term super two is often used by roadgeeks for this type of road, but traffic...
with plastic stanchions posted on a small
asphaltAsphalt is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits sometimes termed asphaltum...
median. This section of the road is locally known as "Suicide Alley" due to the large number of fatal accidents along this stretch. It remains like this until
OrleansOrleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,341 at the 2000 census....
, where the freeway ends at a large
rotaryA roundabout is one of several types of circular road junctions or intersections at which traffic is slowed down and enters a one-way stream around a central island. Technically these junctions sometimes are called modern roundabouts, in order to emphasize the distinction from older circular...
(Mile 90.6).
Through
EasthamEastham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,453 at the 2000 census....
and North
TruroTruro is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located two hours outside Boston, it is a summer vacation community just shy of the tip of Cape Cod. It is named after Truro in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Its name among the natives of Cape Cod was Pamet or Payomet, a name that...
, U.S. 6 is a 4-lane surface street. Through
WellfleetWellfleet is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located halfway between the "tip" and "elbow" of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the town had a population of 2,749 at the 2000 census, which swells nearly sixfold during the summer...
and southern
TruroTruro is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located two hours outside Boston, it is a summer vacation community just shy of the tip of Cape Cod. It is named after Truro in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Its name among the natives of Cape Cod was Pamet or Payomet, a name that...
, U.S. 6 is a former 3-lane road converted to 2 lanes with shoulders. In
ProvincetownProvincetown is a town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,431 at the 2000 census...
, U.S. 6 ends as it started in the state, as a surface expressway once again until it comes to an end at
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
at the
Cape Cod National SeashoreThe Cape Cod National Seashore , created on August 7, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, encompasses 43,500 acres of ponds, woods and beachfront on Cape Cod, Massachusetts...
. For the last several miles of its existence near Provincetown Route 6 east is actually heading west-southwest.
Seekonk to Bourne
| County |
Location |
Milepost |
Roads Intersected |
Notes |
BristolBristol County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, adjacent to the state of Rhode Island. As of 2005, the population was estimated at 546,331. Some governmental functions are performed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, others by the county, and others by local towns and...
|
SeekonkSeekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Rhode Island border. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 13,425 at the 2000 census.-Early years:...
|
0.00 |
 U.S. Route 6 |
U.S. Route 6 continues westbound into East Providence, RI. |
| 0.8 |
 Route 114 |
To  Interstate 195 (Exit 1).
To  RI Route 114. |
SwanseaSwansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts.It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles south of Boston; and 12 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island....
|
4.7 |
 Route 136 |
To Interstate 195 (Exit 2). |
| 7.4 |
Interstate 195 |
I-195 Exit 3. |
| 7.8 |
 Route 118Route 118, an offshoot of US-6, is a northwest-southeast state highway in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It begins as a two-lane freeway near the Swansea Mall in Swansea and changes into a single-lane highway at Wood Street in Swansea...
|
Southern terminus of Route 118. |
| Somerset Somerset is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,234 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace and hometown of Clifford Milburn Holland , the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City.- History :Somerset was first settled in 1677 on...
|
11.1 |
 Route 103
 Route 138Route 138 is a north-south state highway in Massachusetts. From Milton, Route 138 runs south through the following towns/cities:* Canton * Stoughton * Easton...
|
Eastern terminus of Route 103.
Western terminus of US-6/Route 138 concurrency. |
| Fall River Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and 12 miles south of Taunton. The city's population was 91,938 during the 2000 census, making it the eighth largest...
|
11.4 |
 Route 79Route 79 is a semi-rural highway in southeastern Massachusetts.The highway starts at Interstate 195 in Fall River and travels north, merging with Route 24 at Exit 7. From here it runs concurrently with Route 24 North until Exit 9 in . South of, and including, the Route 24 portion, Route 79 is a...
Route 138Route 138 is a north-south state highway in Massachusetts. From Milton, Route 138 runs south through the following towns/cities:* Canton * Stoughton * Easton...
|
Eastern terminus of US-6/Route 138 concurrency. |
| 13.5 |
 Route 24Route 24 is a freeway south of I-93 in southeastern Massachusetts, linking Fall River with the Boston metropolitan area. Route 24 is also known as the Fall River Expressway, and officially as the Amvets Highway...
(Amvets Highway) |
Route 24 Exit 5. |
WestportWestport is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 14,183 at the 2000 census.The village of North Westport lies in the town.- History :...
|
17.7 |
 Route 88-Route description:Route 88 starts at Interstate 195 just northeast of the Lakeside neighborhood in Westport close to the border of Fall River. The arterial highway runs south through the town and finally ends at John Reed Road and Horseneck Beach State Reservation in southern Westport, just after...
|
To Interstate 195 (Exit 10). |
| 20.9 |
 Route 177Route 177 is a short west-east state highway in Massachusetts. It starts as an offshoot of US 6 in the Westport Factory neighborhood of Westport, just northwest of the UMASS Dartmouth main campus in Dartmouth; Route 177 runs west through the town of Westport to the Massachusetts/Rhode Island...
|
Eastern terminus of Route 177. |
| New Bedford New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located 51 miles south of Boston, 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 12 miles east of Fall River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 93,768, making it the seventh-largest in the...
|
25.6 |
 Route 140Route 140 is a long state highway which passes through parts of southeastern and central Massachusetts. The highway follows a southeast-northwest trajectory, running from U.S...
(Taunton-New Bedford Expy.) |
Southern terminus of Route 140.
To Interstate 195 (Exit 13). |
| 27.5 |
 Route 18Route 18 is a south-north state highway in southeastern Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 18 starts as a four-lane freeway, a continuation of John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway in downtown New Bedford, at U.S. Route 6. After the intersection with I-195, Route 18 runs via surface streets parallel...
|
Southern terminus of Route 18.
To Interstate 195 (Exit 15). |
FairhavenFairhaven is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located on the south coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean...
|
29.8 |
 Route 240 |
Southern terminus of Route 240.
To Interstate 195 (Exit 18). |
| Plymouth Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of 2000, the population was 472,822. Its county seats are Plymouth and Brockton. In 1685 the County was created by the Plymouth General Court.-Geography:According to the U.S...
|
MarionMarion is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,123 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Marion Center, please see the article Marion Center, Massachusetts.- History :...
|
39.2 |
 Route 105 |
Southern terminus of Route 105.
To Interstate 195 (Exit 20). |
WarehamWareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335....
|
45.7 |
 Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
|
Western terminus of US-6/Route 28 concurrency.
To  Route 25Route 25 is a numbered state highway located in Plymouth County and Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The route is a nominally east–west freeway for its entire length. An eastward continuation of Interstate 495, Route 25 provides freeway access to Cape Cod. The route's western...
(Exit 2). |
| Barnstable Barnstable County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, consisting of Cape Cod and associated islands. As of 2000, the population was 222,230. Its county seat is Barnstable.-Geography:According to the U.S...
|
BourneBourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
|
50.4 |
Route 25Route 25 is a numbered state highway located in Plymouth County and Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The route is a nominally east–west freeway for its entire length. An eastward continuation of Interstate 495, Route 25 provides freeway access to Cape Cod. The route's western...
Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
|
Eastern terminus of US-6/Route 28 concurrency.
Route 25 Exit 3. |
| 54.0 |
 Route 3Route 3 is a southward continuation of U.S. Route 3, connecting Cambridge, Massachusetts with Cape Cod. All of it, except for the northernmost end in downtown Boston and Cambridge, is a freeway....
(Pilgrims Highway) |
Southern terminus of Route 3.
Routes 3/6 Exits 1A-B. |
Mid-Cape Highway begins at the interchange with in Bourne.
Refer to the Exit List below for interchanges. |
Exit list (Bourne to Orleans freeway)
| County |
Location |
Exit # |
Mile |
Route and destinations |
Notes |
| Barnstable Barnstable County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, consisting of Cape Cod and associated islands. As of 2000, the population was 222,230. Its county seat is Barnstable.-Geography:According to the U.S...
|
BourneBourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
|
1A/1B |
54 |
JCT
Route 3Route 3 is a southward continuation of U.S. Route 3, connecting Cambridge, Massachusetts with Cape Cod. All of it, except for the northernmost end in downtown Boston and Cambridge, is a freeway....
— QuincyQuincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
, BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
Sagamore BeachSagamore Beach is a village of Bourne, Massachusetts fronting Cape Cod Bay and the east end of the Cape Cod Canal.Sagamore Beach is a largely a residential area with a small commercial district near the Sagamore Bridge and Massachusetts Route 3A. A central recreation area provides tennis courts and...
U.S. Route 6 (west) — Buzzards BayBuzzards Bay is a census-designated place in the town of Bourne in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The population was 3,549 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Buzzards Bay is located at ....
, ProvidenceProvidence is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, and one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region...
U.S. Route 6 (east) — BarnstableBarnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
, ProvincetownProvincetown is a town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,431 at the 2000 census...
|
Exit numbering shared
between Routes 3 & 6 |
Sagamore BridgeThe Sagamore Bridge in Sagamore, Massachusetts carries U.S. Route 6 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
(Cape Cod CanalThe Cape Cod Canal is a man-made waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
crossing) |
| 1C |
55 |
 Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
— SagamoreSagamore is a census-designated place in the town of Bourne in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sagamore is located at ....
|
Westbound ramps feed into old
Sagamore Bridge approach
(old US-6) |
SandwichSandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,136 at the 2000 census. The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town....
|
2 |
58 |
 Route 130Route 130 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The southern terminus is at Route 28 in Barnstable. The northern terminus is at Route 6A in Sandwich.-Route description:...
— SandwichSandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,136 at the 2000 census. The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town....
, MashpeeMashpee is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,946 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Mashpee, please see the articles on Mashpee Neck, Monomoscoy Island, New Seabury, Popponesset, Popponesset...
|
| 3 |
60 |
Quaker Meetinghouse Road — East Sandwich East Sandwich is a village and census-designated place within the town of Sandwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,720 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Sandwich is located at ....
|
| 4 |
64 |
Chase Road — East Sandwich East Sandwich is a village and census-designated place within the town of Sandwich in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,720 at the 2000 census.-Geography:East Sandwich is located at ....
, West BarnstableWest Barnstable is a village or section in the northwest part of the mid-Cape Cod city of Barnstable, Massachusetts. Once devoted to agricultural pursuits, West Barnstable now is largely residential.-Natural features:...
|
BarnstableBarnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
|
5 |
66 |
 Route 149 — Marstons MillsMarstons Mills is a village in the city of Barnstable, Massachusetts. It was founded by the Marston Family in 1648. They built grist mills along the Marstons Mills River, hence the name of the village. It is primarily residential and located on Route 28, and is rural in nature...
, West BarnstableWest Barnstable is a village or section in the northwest part of the mid-Cape Cod city of Barnstable, Massachusetts. Once devoted to agricultural pursuits, West Barnstable now is largely residential.-Natural features:...
|
| 6 |
68 |
 Route 132Route 132 is a highway in the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, part of Cape Cod. The entire length of the highway is also locally signed as part of Iyannough Road...
— BarnstableBarnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
, HyannisHyannis is the largest of seven villages in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Also it is the commercial and transportation hub of Cape Cod and was designated an urban area as a result of the 1990 census...
|
| 6B |
70.9 |
Mary Dunn Road — Hyannis Hyannis is the largest of seven villages in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Also it is the commercial and transportation hub of Cape Cod and was designated an urban area as a result of the 1990 census...
, BarnstableBarnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
|
Proposed as 6 1/2 to relieve congestion on exits 6 and 7 |
YarmouthYarmouth is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
|
7 |
72 |
Willow Street — Yarmouth Port Yarmouth Port is a census-designated place in the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,395 at the 2000 census. Yarmouth had 5,380 persons, while Dennis had only 15 persons...
, West YarmouthWest Yarmouth is a census-designated place in the town of Yarmouth in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,460 at the 2000 census.- Geography :West Yarmouth is located at ....
|
| 8 |
74 |
Union Street — YarmouthYarmouth is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census....
, DennisDennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,973 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Dennis, please see the articles on Dennis , Dennis Port, East Dennis, South Dennis, and West...
|
DennisDennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,973 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Dennis, please see the articles on Dennis , Dennis Port, East Dennis, South Dennis, and West...
|
9 |
78 |
 Route 134-Routing:*Southern Terminus: West Dennis, Massachusetts *Northern Terminus: East Dennis, Massachusetts Except for its termini, Route 134 is almost entirely located within the village of South Dennis.-About Route 134:...
— West Harwich, Dennis PortDennis Port is a census-designated place in the town of Dennis in Barnstable County, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At the 2000 census, its population was 3,612....
, DennisDennis is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,973 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Dennis, please see the articles on Dennis , Dennis Port, East Dennis, South Dennis, and West...
|
Split into 9A and 9B |
| Harwich Harwich is a town on Cape Cod, in Barnstable County in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape Cod; the...
|
10 |
80 |
 Route 124Route 124 is a north-south state route located in the towns of Brewster and Harwich, Massachusetts.The road begins at the intersection of Route 6A and Harwich Road. It crosses Route 137 after less than a half-mile. After two miles , the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path crosses over and follows...
— HarwichHarwich is a town on Cape Cod, in Barnstable County in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The town is a popular vacation spot, located near the Cape Cod National Seashore. Harwich's beaches are on "the Sound side" of Cape Cod; the...
, BrewsterBrewster is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 10,094 at the 2000 census.Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom....
|
| 11 |
84 |
 Route 137Route 137 is a north-south state route on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is located within the towns of Brewster, Harwich and Chatham.Route 137 begins in Brewster at the intersection of Route 6A and Long Pond Road. It intersects with Route 124 after before continuing on through South Brewster, with...
— BrewsterBrewster is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 10,094 at the 2000 census.Brewster is twinned with the town of Budleigh Salterton in the United Kingdom....
, ChathamChatham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,625 at the 2000 census...
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| Orleans Orleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,341 at the 2000 census....
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12 |
88 |
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
— OrleansOrleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,341 at the 2000 census....
, East Brewster |
Orleans/EasthamEastham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,453 at the 2000 census....
line |
(13) |
90 |
JCT at Orleans Rotary
U.S. Route 6 (west) — Barnstable, Bourne
U.S. Route 6 (east) — Provincetown
Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
— Chatham
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
— Brewster |
Orleans to Provincetown
| County |
Location |
Mile |
Roads intersected |
Notes |
| Mid-Cape Highway ends at the Orleans Rotary intersection with on the Orleans/Eastham line. |
| Barnstable Barnstable County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, consisting of Cape Cod and associated islands. As of 2000, the population was 222,230. Its county seat is Barnstable.-Geography:According to the U.S...
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Orleans Orleans is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Barnstable County is coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,341 at the 2000 census....
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90.6 |
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
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Southern terminus of (unsigned) US-6/Route 6A concurrency.
To Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
. |
TruroTruro is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located two hours outside Boston, it is a summer vacation community just shy of the tip of Cape Cod. It is named after Truro in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Its name among the natives of Cape Cod was Pamet or Payomet, a name that...
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109.4 |
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
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Northern terminus of (unsigned) US-6/Route 6A concurrency. |
ProvincetownProvincetown is a town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,431 at the 2000 census...
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118.0 |
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
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Northern terminus of Route 6A.
Eastern terminus of U.S. Route 6. |
The Orleans Rotary was once officially Exit 13. A sign labeling the turnoff to Routes 6A/28 once marked it as "Exit 13S", however the signage was removed in 1985.
There are also two freeway-style interchanges on the surface arterial portion in
TruroTruro is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. Located two hours outside Boston, it is a summer vacation community just shy of the tip of Cape Cod. It is named after Truro in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Its name among the natives of Cape Cod was Pamet or Payomet, a name that...
. The first is near Mile 106 for the Pamet Roads, and the second is near Mile 110 for Highland Road. These exits are not numbered.
New England Interstate Route 3
Before the U.S. Highway system, the route from Rhode Island to
BourneBourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
, and from Orleans to Provincetown, was part of
New England Interstate Route 3 (NE-3). Within the Upper Cape, however, NE-3 went along what is now
Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
between Bourne and Orleans. The U.S. 6 designation was instead applied to the route on the north shore of Cape Cod, which was known as New England Interstate Route 6 before 1926 (now
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
).
U.S. Route 6 Bypass
When U.S. 6 was first routed through Provincetown in 1926, the highway was signed along the rather narrow Commercial Street. After the Provincetown U.S. 6 bypass was built, congestion and the increasing size of automobiles forced the town to post most of Commercial Street (all but the easternmost mile that hits the Truro line) as one-way westbound.
Route 6ARoute 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "Route 6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
, when signed, was placed along the paralleling Bradford Street instead. There was an alternate plan at the time to make Bradford one-way westbound and Commercial one-way eastbound (which would have made both roads Route 6A), but this was rejected, as the town decided instead to let incoming traffic through the heavy Commercial Street (almost entirely pedestrian) business district.
U.S. 6 was briefly signed on current I-195 between Route 105 and
Route 28Route 28 is a nominally south-north route in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, running from the town of Orleans on Cape Cod via Boston to the New Hampshire state line in Methuen. Following the route from its nominally southern end, Route 28 initially heads south to the town of Chatham then turns...
; however, when I-195 was completed, and the I-195 designation took over that section of freeway, U.S. 6 reverted back to its older route.
Formerly, U.S. 6 took both sides along the Cape Cod canal (and was signed as "BYPASS 6"), but is now routed only on the north side (The
south sideSandwich Road is a two-lane state highway in Bourne, Massachusetts, United States, running from Bourne center east to Sandwich. It begins at a four-way intersection with Shore Road, County Road and Trowbridge Road in Bourne center; Waterhouse Road and Perry Avenue also once ended there...
is now signed "TO 6" from the
SagamoreThe Sagamore Bridge in Sagamore, Massachusetts carries U.S. Route 6 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
to the
Bourne BridgeThe Bourne Bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts carries Route 28 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
). However, a single "BYPASS 6" sign still exists just north of the
Bourne BridgeThe Bourne Bridge in Bourne, Massachusetts carries Route 28 across the Cape Cod Canal, connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts, USA....
rotary.
Miscellanea
- The bridges from the Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal is a man-made waterway traversing the narrow neck of land that joins Cape Cod to mainland Massachusetts.Part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the canal is roughly 17.4 miles long and connects Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south...
, to Oak Street in Barnstable Village (a half-mile west of Route 132), are unique in their construction since they are made out of concrete and granite.
- The two-lane freeway section has a secondary, less-formal name of "Suicide Alley", due to the high number of fatalities from head-on collisions before the median improvements were constructed. (When the two-lane freeway stretch was first built, it was marked with passing zones like any other two-lane highway. The small asphalt/stanchion median was built in stages beginning in 1989 and finishing in 1992.) The Mid-Cape Highway carries a speed limit
A road speed limit is the maximum speed allowed by law for road vehicles. Speed limits are commonly set and enforced by the legislative bodies of nations or provincial governments, such as countries within the world....
of 55 on the standard freeway and 50 on the two-lane freeway.
Suffixed routes
- Massachusetts Route 6A, alignment in Cape Cod of Route 6 prior to the construction of the freeway segment
Related routes
- Massachusetts Route 28, the original alignment of New England Route 3 in Cape Cod
New England Interstate Route 3, the designation of US-6 (excluding the stretch from Bourne to Orleans) prior to 1926
New England Interstate Route 6, the designation of US-6 between Bourne and Orleans, as well as of U.S. Route 3U.S. Route 3 is a north-south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257....
/Route 3 prior to 1926