Need to drive out of state
June 8, 2020 4:47 AM Subscribe
I need to take a day trip from New Jersey to Massachusetts to pick something up from a friend's porch. I will be driving. Will I be stopped at the state border(s) for driving out of state?
I've looked at the laws and cannot figure out if I'm going to get pulled over for driving out of state at some kind of checkpoint. My friend and I really wanted to have some socially distanced and masked time in their backyard but are planning on not doing that, even though it would probably be good for us (we both are otherwise alone). To complicate things, my car registration has expired and can't be renewed until the DMV reopens. I'm not sure how much this matters.
If it makes any difference, I'm picking up our mutual friends ashes to spread, which I will do legally. We don't want to ship these for obvious reasons. I will drive during the day, mostly on major highways, and will lock the remains in my glove box for the drive and they'll be in a safe container that won't spill. I am a 39 year old white woman, I drive no more than 7mph over the speed limit, and I won't stop for restroom or food breaks. Our friend did not die of covid and we have no concerns about transmitting the virus through the ashes or container, so that is not the focus of this question. Please also don't question my need to do this now. It is what it is, it's tragic and horrible, and we are all doing our best here. I have isolated for much longer than 14 days and there's no way I'll transmit the virus to anyone else; my concern is somehow having an interaction with law enforcement that results in me being infected.
I'm in a high risk category, but no one else can do this job. I really don't want to have any interactions with law enforcement: what if they're not wearing a mask, or what if they decide that I shouldn't be driving remains (even though it is legal) and they arrest me or something awful? I have a lot of anxiety about being pulled over in this situation so I'm just looking for information about whether I'm allowed right now to drive out of state, or whether my Jersey plates and/or my expired registration will trigger a pull-over. Thanks.
I've looked at the laws and cannot figure out if I'm going to get pulled over for driving out of state at some kind of checkpoint. My friend and I really wanted to have some socially distanced and masked time in their backyard but are planning on not doing that, even though it would probably be good for us (we both are otherwise alone). To complicate things, my car registration has expired and can't be renewed until the DMV reopens. I'm not sure how much this matters.
If it makes any difference, I'm picking up our mutual friends ashes to spread, which I will do legally. We don't want to ship these for obvious reasons. I will drive during the day, mostly on major highways, and will lock the remains in my glove box for the drive and they'll be in a safe container that won't spill. I am a 39 year old white woman, I drive no more than 7mph over the speed limit, and I won't stop for restroom or food breaks. Our friend did not die of covid and we have no concerns about transmitting the virus through the ashes or container, so that is not the focus of this question. Please also don't question my need to do this now. It is what it is, it's tragic and horrible, and we are all doing our best here. I have isolated for much longer than 14 days and there's no way I'll transmit the virus to anyone else; my concern is somehow having an interaction with law enforcement that results in me being infected.
I'm in a high risk category, but no one else can do this job. I really don't want to have any interactions with law enforcement: what if they're not wearing a mask, or what if they decide that I shouldn't be driving remains (even though it is legal) and they arrest me or something awful? I have a lot of anxiety about being pulled over in this situation so I'm just looking for information about whether I'm allowed right now to drive out of state, or whether my Jersey plates and/or my expired registration will trigger a pull-over. Thanks.
No worries!
I live in the corner of Rhode Island that Massachusetts sort of wraps around, and our streets and highways cross the border with bewildering abandon. At no point were there checkpoints to travel in or out of Massachusetts.
Now, for a weekend there were supposedly State Police cars stopping motorists from NY, and then checking around some of the vacation/beach communities, but that ended back in....late March?
Last week I drove over the border probably five times in one thirty-minute trip.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:30 AM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
I live in the corner of Rhode Island that Massachusetts sort of wraps around, and our streets and highways cross the border with bewildering abandon. At no point were there checkpoints to travel in or out of Massachusetts.
Now, for a weekend there were supposedly State Police cars stopping motorists from NY, and then checking around some of the vacation/beach communities, but that ended back in....late March?
Last week I drove over the border probably five times in one thirty-minute trip.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:30 AM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
I live in Massachusetts, and I do not know of any border checkpoints. I have traveled to New Hampshire and New York since the lockdown, and helpfully, my car registration is also expired and can't be renewed right now. I have not been stopped.
posted by woodvine at 5:34 AM on June 8, 2020
posted by woodvine at 5:34 AM on June 8, 2020
For your registration: you can renew online, and the new registration will be effective immediately. Also, you may not need to: the front page of the MVC's web site says that All driver licenses, non-driver IDs, vehicle registrations, inspection stickers, and temporary tags expiring before May 31 have been extended to July 31.
As for checkpoints, they did exist in Delaware in early April (obviously this isn't on your way), and at a similar time, Rhode Island was stopping cars with out-of-state plates. But that's over now.
The biggest problem that you could have is that some states have restrictions on out-of-state travelers staying at hotels. Here's NPR's list of state-by-state restrictions in the Northeast. But it sounds like you're planning this as a day trip anyway.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:04 AM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
As for checkpoints, they did exist in Delaware in early April (obviously this isn't on your way), and at a similar time, Rhode Island was stopping cars with out-of-state plates. But that's over now.
The biggest problem that you could have is that some states have restrictions on out-of-state travelers staying at hotels. Here's NPR's list of state-by-state restrictions in the Northeast. But it sounds like you're planning this as a day trip anyway.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:04 AM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
My friend and I really wanted to have some socially distanced and masked time in their backyard but are planning on not doing that, even though it would probably be good for us
fwiw I think if you are both masked, outside and several meters apart, this would not add considerable risk to your trip? Just considering your mental health. I'm sorry about your friend.
posted by stray at 6:10 AM on June 8, 2020 [18 favorites]
fwiw I think if you are both masked, outside and several meters apart, this would not add considerable risk to your trip? Just considering your mental health. I'm sorry about your friend.
posted by stray at 6:10 AM on June 8, 2020 [18 favorites]
"I drive no more than 7mph over the speed limit"
This will definitely arouse suspicion in Massachusetts. You should increase your speed to at least 30mph over the speed limit to blend in with the locals.
But seriously, you should not have any trouble. This should be a quick trip with no hassles. As others have noted, New England... isn't particularly observant about borders. It's quite common to cross a border without even realizing it. The mall in my town is built in such a way that the structure is in New Hampshire, but the parking lot is in Massachusetts. The state line is a doorway into JC Penney. The point I'm trying to make is that there are just too many points of entry into the state for anyone to enforce any sort of blockade. Even if there were some sort of checkpoint on the highways, all you'd have to do is get off at the last exit before the border and find a surface street to take you over.
I also wouldn't worry about registration. For one thing, it's unlikely you'll be asked for it, and for another, everyone understands that it's not always possible to renew right now. The Massachusetts RMV has been closed for a couple of months, and there has been an indefinite grace period for renewals. If NJ is the same, you should be able to just explain that. Plus everyone knows how hard NJ has been hit; it won't surprise anyone that they closed their offices.
Anecdotally, I'll add that I've found getting pulled over in New England to be much less common for any reason than in other parts of the country. When I had a highway commute in Ohio, I would see 3-4 people pulled over for speeding each day. On the contrary, I've only seen maybe a dozen people get pulled over up here in three years of highway commuting. Unless you're driving so dangerously that they can't ignore it, they'll generally let it go. (Hence my joke about driving 30mph over the speed limit.) Highway police seem to be there more to respond to accidents (again, 30mph over the speed limit) than to enforce speeding laws. I've only driven from Mass to NJ once, so I can't speak as much to Connecticut or New York, but Massachusetts shouldn't give you any problems.
I will point out that the Mass Pike (I-90) uses license plate scanners for tolling, so if you're really concerned about someone finding out you drove through the state, maybe avoid that. Although, the Mass Pike generally sucks anyway, so unless you're going somewhere that's only accessible by the Pike, I'd avoid it anyway. And coming from NJ, it's likely not the route you'd be taking anyway.
You should absolutely spend some time in your friend's backyard. It would be a real missed opportunity if you didn't.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:30 AM on June 8, 2020 [11 favorites]
This will definitely arouse suspicion in Massachusetts. You should increase your speed to at least 30mph over the speed limit to blend in with the locals.
But seriously, you should not have any trouble. This should be a quick trip with no hassles. As others have noted, New England... isn't particularly observant about borders. It's quite common to cross a border without even realizing it. The mall in my town is built in such a way that the structure is in New Hampshire, but the parking lot is in Massachusetts. The state line is a doorway into JC Penney. The point I'm trying to make is that there are just too many points of entry into the state for anyone to enforce any sort of blockade. Even if there were some sort of checkpoint on the highways, all you'd have to do is get off at the last exit before the border and find a surface street to take you over.
I also wouldn't worry about registration. For one thing, it's unlikely you'll be asked for it, and for another, everyone understands that it's not always possible to renew right now. The Massachusetts RMV has been closed for a couple of months, and there has been an indefinite grace period for renewals. If NJ is the same, you should be able to just explain that. Plus everyone knows how hard NJ has been hit; it won't surprise anyone that they closed their offices.
Anecdotally, I'll add that I've found getting pulled over in New England to be much less common for any reason than in other parts of the country. When I had a highway commute in Ohio, I would see 3-4 people pulled over for speeding each day. On the contrary, I've only seen maybe a dozen people get pulled over up here in three years of highway commuting. Unless you're driving so dangerously that they can't ignore it, they'll generally let it go. (Hence my joke about driving 30mph over the speed limit.) Highway police seem to be there more to respond to accidents (again, 30mph over the speed limit) than to enforce speeding laws. I've only driven from Mass to NJ once, so I can't speak as much to Connecticut or New York, but Massachusetts shouldn't give you any problems.
I will point out that the Mass Pike (I-90) uses license plate scanners for tolling, so if you're really concerned about someone finding out you drove through the state, maybe avoid that. Although, the Mass Pike generally sucks anyway, so unless you're going somewhere that's only accessible by the Pike, I'd avoid it anyway. And coming from NJ, it's likely not the route you'd be taking anyway.
You should absolutely spend some time in your friend's backyard. It would be a real missed opportunity if you didn't.
posted by kevinbelt at 6:30 AM on June 8, 2020 [11 favorites]
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I drove from New York to New Jersey, then back through New York to Connecticut, then back to New York again on Friday. I did not have any difficulties. The only real difference being on the roads was less traffic, but honestly it wasn't even enough to be like, wow there's nobody on the roads. There were plenty of people out and about, just slightly less.
Be safe and well!
posted by firei at 8:13 AM on June 8, 2020
I drove from New York to New Jersey, then back through New York to Connecticut, then back to New York again on Friday. I did not have any difficulties. The only real difference being on the roads was less traffic, but honestly it wasn't even enough to be like, wow there's nobody on the roads. There were plenty of people out and about, just slightly less.
Be safe and well!
posted by firei at 8:13 AM on June 8, 2020
Rhode Island was the only state in New England doing this, and only at the CT border (I-95 and a few other spots), never the MA border. All cars with out-of-State plates were asked to pull over, and a member of the National Guard would ask if you were staying in RI or passing through. If passing through, they would let you get back on your way. The whole process took a few seconds per car.
posted by Seeking Direction at 8:20 AM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Seeking Direction at 8:20 AM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
Spend time in your friend's backyard and maybe spend time in your car in their driveway taking a little nap. That's a lot of driving to do in one day even without the additional stress factors.
I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
posted by mareli at 8:44 AM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
posted by mareli at 8:44 AM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
I dont have any idea about traffic in the present circumstances, but in normal times I'd advise avoiding the NY to CT area during rush hours, say before 9 am or after 4 PM. There was at least one isolated incident of the CT Tpke being blocked by protesters.
posted by SemiSalt at 8:47 AM on June 8, 2020
posted by SemiSalt at 8:47 AM on June 8, 2020
If you decide not to risk the trip, it is possible to have them sent. I have shipped (one-third of) my mother's ashes across country via USPS Registered Mail and everything was fine. IIRC Registered Mail means the item is signed for every time it changes hands so it really can't get lost; it's what USPS recommends for items that you really truly can't bear to have go missing. It adds a few days to the transit time, though.
posted by DrGail at 9:22 AM on June 8, 2020
posted by DrGail at 9:22 AM on June 8, 2020
I just did Central NJ to Boston and back in the same day. You'll be fine. Trip took 7 hours round trip total. On a good day, pre-Covid, just one way would take 5 1/2 hours.
You'll be fine.
posted by rich at 9:59 AM on June 8, 2020
You'll be fine.
posted by rich at 9:59 AM on June 8, 2020
You should increase your speed to at least 30mph over the speed limit to blend in with the locals.
In case the "But seriously" didn't tip you off, this is an exaggeration. 7 over the highway posted limit is pretty slow in MA, but not dangerously so, and you'll never be stopped by the cops. I typically drive 10 over, and while most people are faster than that, I do pass a few. This advice only applies to highways; if you exceed the speed limit by much on surface streets, you do risk a ticket, at least in some places.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:21 PM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
In case the "But seriously" didn't tip you off, this is an exaggeration. 7 over the highway posted limit is pretty slow in MA, but not dangerously so, and you'll never be stopped by the cops. I typically drive 10 over, and while most people are faster than that, I do pass a few. This advice only applies to highways; if you exceed the speed limit by much on surface streets, you do risk a ticket, at least in some places.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:21 PM on June 8, 2020 [1 favorite]
The USPS has a special sticker that they put on parcels containing the ashes of loved ones "to ensure visibiilty and importance of the package contents," if that would ease your mind about this.
The FAQ & instructions are at https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Shipping-Cremated-Remains-and-Ashes The package does need ot be brought to a Post Office for mailing, I think; watch the video to be sure.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:22 PM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
The FAQ & instructions are at https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Shipping-Cremated-Remains-and-Ashes The package does need ot be brought to a Post Office for mailing, I think; watch the video to be sure.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:22 PM on June 8, 2020 [2 favorites]
Your NJ EZ-Pass will work all the way up through Mass., if that takes one thing off your mind: no interacting with tollbooth operators.
There aren't many tolls (mostly on I-90) in Mass., but more than zero, depending on where you are headed.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:24 PM on June 8, 2020
There aren't many tolls (mostly on I-90) in Mass., but more than zero, depending on where you are headed.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:24 PM on June 8, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fancypants at 4:59 AM on June 8, 2020 [14 favorites]