Map

Getting Around Cape Cod

The Cape is shaped like an arm. The part of the arm closest to the mainland is called the 'upper cape' and the end farthest from the mainland is referred to as the 'lower cape'. This is admittedly a little counter-intuitive since much of the 'lower cape' is actually north of the 'upper cape'. Remember Cape Cod has been shaped by the ocean on all sides and it’s really just a large sand bar. What people do is go to the beach.

'Upper' Cape towns include Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich. 'Mid' Cape towns include Barnstable, Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, and Yarmouth. 'Lower' Cape towns include Chatham, Eastham, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet. Also in the area are the Islands of Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands including Cuttyhunk.

Our Best Cape Cod Travel Tips

Best Times to Drive to Cape Cod in Season

•Sunday - Thursday

•Fridays before 2 pm or after 9 pm

•Saturdays before 8 am or after 2 pm

Times to Avoid:

•Fridays 2-9 pm

•Saturdays 8 am - 2 pm

Nantucket

Martha’s Vineyard

South Monomoy

North Monomoy

Click Here for the Cape Cod Satellite Map

Featured Historical Map

A detail of Samuel de Champlain’s 1607 map of the northeast coast of America, showing Cape Cod and a prominent depiction of Monomoy, something often left off of early maps. Monomoy was often left off of the Cape’s early maps due to the fact that few navigators braved its rips. Champlain was one of those few and he spent 2 weeks in Chatham’s Stage Harbor in October of 1606 repairing his rudder.