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How to Get a Car to Martha’s Vineyard on the Ferry
Wondering how to get a car to Martha’s Vineyard for your vacation? You’re not alone! Figuring out the logistics of bringing your car on the ferry sounds overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting or you want to travel during peak summer months.
After 25 years of travelling to the island and countless trips with a car, I’ve learned all the ins and outs and will share them with you in this guide. Here’s everything you need to know about taking your car to Martha’s Vineyard by ferry.
How to Bring a Car to Martha’s Vineyard
The island sits about 7 miles off the coast of Massachusetts and there’s no bridge connecting the Vineyard to the mainland.
The Steamship Authority (often abbreviated as SSA) operates the only ferry service that transports vehicles to Martha’s Vineyard. This year round ferry departs from Woods Hole on Cape Cod and arrives at either Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, depending on the season.
The most important thing to understand about getting a car to Martha’s Vineyard is that advance reservations are essential, especially during peak season and around holiday weekends.
You can make your reservation over the phone, in person at the terminals, by postal mail or on the SSA website.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking the Car Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard
Here’s a simple video tutorial on how to make a reservation to bring your car to Martha’s Vineyard.
The video shows you how to set up an account on the Steamship Authority website, how to add a vehicle, what to do if you’re taking a rental car, how to check the schedule and how to use the wait-list to get your preferred sailing.
If you don’t want to watch the video, the steps are also outlined below. Follow these and you’ll have your account created and reservation booked in less than 5 minutes.
1. Create an Account on the Steamship Authority Website
Go to Steamshipauthority.com and select “New User” on the top left of the screen. Choose a username and password and click next. Add your contact details and I recommend checking the box for text alerts.
2. Add Your Vehicle to Your Account
Once your account is created, you’ll need to add your vehicle details – make sure you have your plate number, year, make and model to hand. The website will automatically calculate the dimensions based on the make and model you enter.
You can add multiple vehicles to your account. If you’re bringing a rental car, skip this step.
3. Check Availability and Make Your Reservation
Click the “Book Now” tab and choose your desired departure and return dates. Choose the vehicle you’re bringing from the drop down menu or select “Rental car”.
Note here if you’ll have anything on your roof rack or if you’re towing or carrying anything on the back (eg, bikes), as this affects pricing and availability.
Enter your passenger numbers if you want to pay the fare now, or leave blank if you want to buy passenger tickets at a later date.
Click continue and you’ll see all available sailings on the ferry schedule for those dates.
4. Using the Wait-list System
If your preferred sailing is unavailable, don’t despair! The Steamship Authority has an excellent wait-list system. Here’s how it works:
- Select any available sailing (even if it’s not ideal)
- Scroll down to the yellow box that says “Click here to wait-list”
- Select your preferred date and time range for travel. Add yourself to the wait-list.
- Choose how long you want to remain on the wait-list (can stay up to the day of travel)
- If a spot opens up, you’ll be automatically moved to your preferred sailing
I’ve had great success with the wait-list when travelling on midweek days, even in the summer months. Weekend days are definitely more difficult. Watch the video for a more detailed look at using the wait-list feature.
According to the Steamship Authority, they get around 90 same-day cancellations so there’s always the chance you’ll be lucky and get your preferred time slot!
When to Book Your Car on the Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard
The Steamship Authority is a year-round ferry and releases reservations in batches:
- Summer Season (mid-May through mid-October) – Reservations typically open in late January/early February. Exact dates will be announced around November/December.
- Fall Season (mid-October through December) – Reservations open in spring
- Winter/Spring Season (January through mid-May) – Reservations open in fall (usually mid-October)
For holiday weekends and peak summer dates (July and August), reservations to take your car to Martha’s Vineyard can fill up within hours or days of becoming available.
I recommend setting a reminder on your calendar for when the summer bookings open up if you plan to visit during this busy period.
How Much is the Car Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard?
The basic cost of taking your car to Martha’s Vineyard in 2025 ranges from $170 round trip up to $340. The price varies depending on the length of your vehicle, the time of year and whether you travel mid-week or on the weekend.
The car reservation does not include passenger tickets unless you specifically add them during the booking process. You can also incur additional charges if you bring bikes or kayaks, or if you are carrying a load that extends beyond your front or back bumper.
Day of Travel: Taking Your Car to Martha’s Vineyard
The Woods Hole terminal is located at 1 Cowdry Road. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time
When you arrive at the ferry terminal:
- Give your last name and time of sailing to the SSA staff at the entrance booth.
- SSA staff will check you in and direct you to a staging lane
- Wait in your lane until boarding begins
- Purchase passenger tickets if you haven’t already (at the terminal or online)
Loading cars onto the ferry is a well-orchestrated process. Staff will direct you when it’s time for your lane to board. Drive slowly onto the ferry and pull forward until instructed to stop
Put your car in park, engage the parking brake, and shut off the engine. Most importantly, don’t set your alarm! The movement of the ferry tends to set them off and if this happens, the crew will make an announcement and you’ll have to do the walk of shame down to the car deck to take care of it.
The crossing takes 45 minutes. Make a note of where you’re parked. There are multiple ways to access the passenger deck. The doors are usually numbered and open to a stairs or elevator.
The car deck can be confusing so try and keep track of the route you take. When it’s time to return to the car, take the same route back.
The ferry has refreshments like coffee, beer, sandwiches and light snacks. There’s indoor and outdoor seating to choose from and restrooms on board. Now relax and enjoy the trip!
My best tip: The Steamship Authority serves up some truly delicious clam chowder onboard. Don’t skip it!
As the ferry approaches Martha’s Vineyard listen out for the announcement about returning to your vehicle (about 15 mins before docking).
Head down to the car deck straight away but don’t start your engine until the cars in front of you start to move off.
Do you Need a Car on Martha’s Vineyard?
Are you unsure if you really even need a car on the island? Maybe you don’t! It all depends on where you’re staying, how much stuff you want to bring and how long you’ll be on the island.
I created this quiz to tell you whether you need to bring a car or not. Answer 5 questions and you’ll get a yes or no answer (plus explanation) immediately. No email address or sign-up required.
If you can’t get a car reservation or prefer not to bring your vehicle, the island has excellent public transportation. You could also rent a car or bicycle or take a taxi or Uber. The downtown areas of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven are very walkable.
Where do you leave your car when you go to Martha’s Vineyard?
While the Steamship Authority ferry is your only option for car transport, it’s also the primary, passenger ferry service to get to Martha’s Vineyard, docking in Vineyard Haven year-round.
You can drive all the way to Woods Hole and leave your car in one of the SSA parking lots. They provide a shuttle to the ferry. Or, you can take the bus to Woods Hole. Peter Pan busses provide service from Boston South Station and Logan airport and bring you directly to the ferry dock.
These other passenger-only ferry services are also available (from around May to October)and almost all offer parking spaces at a daily rate.
- Island Queen – Falmouth to Oak Bluffs (seasonal)
- Hy-Line Cruises – Hyannis to Oak Bluffs (seasonal)
- Rhode Island Fast Ferry – Fast ferry service is provided from Quonset Point (seasonal)
- Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry – Also known as the Pied Piper (seasonal)
- Seastreak – High-speed service from New Bedford and New York City (seasonal service)
If you’re coming from further away, you could fly to Martha’s Vineyard Airport via Cape Air, Jet Blue, or American Airlines from Boston’s Logan Airport, New York, or Washington DC, then rent a car on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Car to Martha’s Vineyard
Is there a Hyannis car ferry to Martha’s Vineyard?
No, there is no car ferry from Hyannis to Martha’s Vineyard. The only car ferry to Martha’s Vineyard departs from Woods Hole on Cape Cod.
Is there a car ferry to Martha’s Vineyard from Falmouth?
Yes, Woods Hole is a village in the town of Falmouth, and the Steamship Authority car ferry departs from there.
Is there a car ferry from NYC to Martha’s Vineyard?
No, there is no car ferry from New York City to Martha’s Vineyard. Seastreak operates a passenger-only service from NYC to Martha’s Vineyard in peak summer, on weekends.
How many cars fit on the Martha’s Vineyard ferry?
The Steamship Authority ferries can typically carry between 35-58 cars each per trip. In total, the SSA transports between 1,330 and 1,400 vehicles (including motorcycles and trucks) per day.
Do I need to reserve a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard?
Yes, vehicle reservations are required for the car ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. You don’t need a reservation in advance if you plan to walk-on as a foot passenger
Are there Ubers on Martha’s Vineyard?
Yes, Uber and Lyft operate on Martha’s Vineyard, though availability can be limited during peak times. Local taxi services are also available.
Final Words on How to get a Car to Martha’s Vineyard
Bringing your car on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard requires some advance planning, but is well worth the effort, especially in the off-season or if you’re not staying in town.
Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore all six towns on the island and access remote beaches and attractions that might be difficult to reach otherwise.
Book early, but be flexible with your travel times and use the wait-list system if needed.
For more help planning your Martha’s Vineyard vacation, join the Martha’s Vineyard Travel Tips Facebook group where I’m happy to answer any questions about planning your trip!
