So.. how bad is the snow, really?

Submitted by springrollsissy t3_10j03zk in Maine

I know Mainers are a tough bunch so I'm a bit concerned about all the weather warnings and closures. I'm supposed to take a bus from Boston Logan to Bangor tomorrow and Concord says so far they haven't cancelled any services. Is the snow really as bad as some people make it sound? Is it generally better to travel during mid-day instead of morning, or is it about the same? Thanks!

UPDATE: Kudos to Concord Coach Lines! The drivers impressed this West Coaster. The bus from Boston to Portland arrived slightly early and from Portland to Bangor, it took a bit longer than scheduled but the driver was super skillful, too. It felt totally safe on both rides. Getting a ride into the mountains from Bangor.. now that I'm a little nervous about.

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Tronbronson t1_j5hl71u wrote

you'll be fine on the bus, plenty of plows around

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yupuhoh t1_j5hlew7 wrote

No it's not. Snow driving is simple if you aren't an idiot. Good tires and slow the fuck down. You will be on a bus. Nothing to worry about.

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maineiacess t1_j5hlsf4 wrote

The main roads and highways are usually ok, slight delays if everyones driving carefully, more delayed if traffic gets stuck behind a snowplow. Side roads will be a disaster but that's why so many people have AWD vehicles and 4WD pickups.

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outer_fucking_space t1_j5hlyp9 wrote

Nah it’s fine. Not that much worse than Boston. People who live on the coast bitch about it a lot though.

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Henbogle t1_j5hml93 wrote

I took a Concord Trailways to Logan through a snowstorm that left me stranded at Logan for 2 nights

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InterstellarDeathPur t1_j5hmqzu wrote

It's an extended storm, not a huge quick dumper. Here in the Midcoast the predictions are 6-10", but that's over the course of 24+ hrs. So I don't expect any issues. Plows will easily keep up.

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thebeerbabe t1_j5hn217 wrote

The bus takes main roads like 95, and they keep up with plowing just fine. You will be fine and the trip will not be cancelled.

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Mixedthought t1_j5hnwk6 wrote

It's just snow. On that ride the only concern would be if it were to turn to freezing rain

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Runnah5555 t1_j5hp1e9 wrote

I don’t start getting concerned about snow until it passes the 2ft mark.

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PrincessSheHulk t1_j5hqaun wrote

The bus is great, and they do cancel when the conditions call for it. If they don’t you’ll be fine. Worse case you’ll have a delay, but you’ll get there.

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plink420 t1_j5huekx wrote

Snow is snow, heavy snowfall times vary and how that affects travel is equivalent. Main roads are usually plowed adequately in populated areas of Southern Maine with the highway or Maine Turnpike being one of the best as far as being salted/plowed.

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MaineGal2022 t1_j5huibx wrote

You are going from Boston to Bangor? You should be fine. Plows will be out and bus drivers know what they are doing. Have a safe trip.

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IamSauerKraut t1_j5hzn41 wrote

If it as bad as you fear, don't worry. It'll be a long trip either because the bus will travel slowly, or it will not travel slowly and you'll end up in a ditch. Make sure your devices are fully charged and you have backup batteries!

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Yourbubblestink t1_j5i0kci wrote

Maine State is Set up for winter. I-95 almost always stays open, the buses might be slow, but they’re likely to keep going.

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ptmtp26 t1_j5i8z4l wrote

Roads are a bit crappy at the moment, we just got home from boothbay to Portland. We still did 55 no problem, but the plows weren’t out in force being the middle of the night and it’s just started, buy 9 am tomorrow the highway will look like it’s raining out with all the salt they will put down.

That bus is going to Bangor on time, or early.

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Lady-Kat1969 t1_j5iip3h wrote

It's a fair amount of snow, but not a major storm. As long as your driver has half a brain, you should be okay.

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yupuhoh t1_j5j1xwa wrote

Replying to IamSauerKraut (#1,445,849)

Buses weigh 20,000 lbs? (guessing completely on the weight) they have just weee bit better contact to the road than a 2,000lb car. There is a reason people put weight in the back of their truck for traction.

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JAP42 t1_j5jeuz8 wrote

Bus lines mainly stay on interstates which are kept up with as long as the snow fall is spread out enough. Too many flatlandrs in the weather service now, the put out winter warnings for every snow flake.

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remiandthenoogs t1_j5jfy4p wrote

The main issue (at least here) seems to be ice, not the snow. Main roads should be fine, but I fell flat on my ass taking the dogs out this morning 😂

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IamSauerKraut t1_j5jm9zk wrote

Replying to yupuhoh (#1,448,914)

I remember this one: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/as-seen-on-tv/tour-bus-crash-on-i-95-in-burnham-caused-by-driver-falling-asleep-at-the-wheel/97-27030595-af65-457c-a0e3-afa780055fce

This site provides some statistics: https://www.paulsoncoletti.com/bus-accident-statistics/

btw, when I was in college, almost always took Greyhound to get b/w home and school. Twice went off the road, once in rain another in snow. They drive too fast, imho.

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IamSauerKraut t1_j5jsqia wrote

Replying to yupuhoh (#1,451,022)

Shannon Ainslee probably thought the same thing every time he went surfing.

Then he got bit.

Shit happens.

And bus drivers often drive too fast for conditions, especially in wet weather. Nearly 70,000 crashes each year. Just a wee bit more than a one-off event.

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Darcola123 t1_j5jua5a wrote

This morning we had nearly a foot but it was super fluffy, but the plows hadn't been out yet as of 9am when I came in from shoveling.

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mymaineaccount46 t1_j5jz0os wrote

I imagine the Main roads to and around Bangor are fine but our back roads are pretty bad right now. Wouldn't worry about getting to Bangor but depending on where you're going up here you may have some issues.

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78FANGIRL t1_j5l49cw wrote

We're not Buffalo. Travel tomorrow will be ok.

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