About 70 percent of Boston leases turn over on September 1, and more than 150,000 students move at once. Allston and Brighton take the brunt of it, but the moving crunch hits every neighborhood with student housing. A moving truck without a city permit risks a ticket or a tow, and the famous Storrowing trap claims a rental truck or two every year. Quick Tow Boston explains how to move in Boston on September 1 without a tow.
What Allston Christmas is
Locals call September 1 “Allston Christmas” because of the furniture and the moving trucks that line every curb in Allston, Brighton, and the other student-heavy neighborhoods. The mass move is a real phenomenon: an estimated 70 percent of Boston leases turn over on the same day, and the city’s universities add more than 150,000 students moving in over a few days.
The infrastructure strains. Streets are blocked with trucks. Parking disappears. Trash piles up. And the city’s parking enforcement does not take the day off.
A moving truck parked illegally, blocking a hydrant, or double-parked on a posted street is a ticket waiting to happen. In some cases, it is a tow. The city publishes the rules in advance, and a mover who knows the rules avoids the ticket.
The city moving permit
The City of Boston requires a moving permit on most residential streets on September 1 and the days around it. The permit reserves a section of curb for the moving truck, and the cost is a few hundred dollars for the day.
A mover applies for the permit through the city’s website in the weeks before September 1. The permit covers a specific address on a specific date, and the reserved curb is marked with the city-issued signs. A truck parked at the reserved curb with the signs up is legal.
A truck parked at the wrong curb, or on a street that requires a permit and does not have one, is exposed. The ticket is several hundred dollars, and the tow fee is more on top.
The Storrowing trap
Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive have a series of low bridges, with the lowest around 9 feet. A rental truck that is 10 to 13 feet tall does not fit. Every year, a few rental trucks misjudge the clearance and hit the bridge, peeling back the roof of the truck and shedding cargo onto the road. The locals call it Storrowing.
A Storrowing incident shuts lanes on Storrow Drive for hours. The State Police arrive, the truck has to be unloaded and recovered, and the cargo has to be salvaged. The cost of the recovery is on the truck renter, and the rental contract usually excludes bridge strikes.
A driver renting a moving truck should know the truck’s height before driving. The clearance number is on the truck’s paperwork and on a sticker on the dashboard. A driver who does not know the height should not drive under any bridge.
How to move without a tow
Five moves keep a Boston move legal.
Get the city permit. Apply in advance for the specific address and the specific date. The reserved curb eliminates most of the risk.
Know the truck height. A rental truck that is 10 feet or taller does not fit under Storrow, Memorial Drive’s low bridges, or any of the South Boston underpasses. Plan a route that avoids them.
Block the curb legally. The reserved curb with the city signs is legal. A truck blocking a hydrant, blocking a crosswalk, or double-parked is a ticket.
Time the move. The early-morning slot is the easiest parking. The afternoon is the hardest. Plan around the worst of the rush.
Have a backup plan. A truck that breaks down, a mover that does not show, or a piece of furniture that does not fit is a real risk on September 1. A backup plan keeps the move on track.
What to do if the truck gets ticketed or towed
A truck that is ticketed can be paid at the city’s parking ticket portal, and the fine is several hundred dollars depending on the violation. A truck that is towed goes to the city’s contracted tow lot or the city lot, depending on the regime.
A truck that has Storrowed is a recovery job. The operator pulls the truck out with a heavy-duty wrecker, and the truck goes to a shop for assessment. The rental company usually sends its own recovery operator, but a private operator can also handle it.
How Quick Tow Boston helps on September 1
Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent local operators who handle the September 1 rush. The operator quotes the price before the truck rolls, and the dispatch runs at any hour.
For a moving truck that has broken down, the operator sends a wrecker with the right equipment for the truck class. The job is a regular tow or a heavy-duty tow, depending on the truck.
For a car that has been towed during the September 1 enforcement surge, the plate lookup at cityofboston.gov/towing/search confirms the tow and the city lot at 200 Frontage Road holds the car.
For a moving truck that has Storrowed, the operator sends a heavy-duty wrecker with a boom and the rigging to clear the bridge. The job is a recovery, and the operator quotes it as such.
Frequently asked questions
When is Allston Christmas? September 1. About 70 percent of Boston leases turn over on that day, and more than 150,000 students move in over a few days.
Do I need a moving permit in Boston? Most residential streets require a city moving permit on September 1 and the surrounding days. Apply through the city’s website in advance.
What is Storrowing? Storrowing is when a rental truck hits one of the low bridges on Storrow Drive or Memorial Drive. The truck is taller than the 9-foot clearance, and the bridge peels back the roof.
What happens if my truck gets Storrowed? The State Police shut lanes, the truck has to be recovered with a heavy-duty wrecker, and the cargo has to be salvaged. The cost of the recovery is on the truck renter.
Does Quick Tow Boston handle Storrowing recoveries? We connect drivers with independent local operators who run heavy-duty wreckers. The operator quotes the recovery before the truck rolls.
When to call us
Call when a moving truck or a personal car is disabled on September 1 and needs an operator who knows the rush. Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent local operators across Greater Boston, and the operator quotes the price before anyone is dispatched. Calls are recorded after a notice. Reach the dispatch line at (857) 858-5057.