About this Location

Facility Overview

The Thomas B. Landers Parking Lot, located at 22 Technology Park Drive in East Falmouth, Massachusetts, is an expansive, purpose-built surface parking facility operated by the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority. Because dockside public parking is not available at the Woods Hole Ferry Terminal, this extensive facility serves as one of the primary Mainland park-and-ride gateways for travelers journeying across Vineyard Sound to Martha's Vineyard. Designed as an expansive, open-air paved surface lot, the grounds feature wide driving aisles, well-delineated parking stalls, designated passenger boarding areas, and well-lit walkways.

Thanks to its wide-open surface configuration with unobstructed vertical clearance, the Thomas B. Landers lot easily accommodates high-profile passenger vehicles that cannot enter conventional parking garages. Standard sedans, crossover SUVs, full-size pickup trucks, passenger vans, and vehicles equipped with roof racks, rooftop cargo boxes, and standard bicycle carriers can navigate and park throughout the lot with complete ease. Designated parking bays for oversized vehicles and accessible parking spots close to passenger boarding shelters are also clearly marked.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

While the lot is positioned within the tranquil Falmouth Technology Park corridor just off Route 28, its primary role is connecting motorists directly with Cape Cod's maritime gateways and local Upper Cape attractions:

Steamship Authority Woods Hole Terminal: Located approximately 9.5 miles southwest, reachable in roughly 15 to 20 minutes via the complimentary dedicated Steamship Authority shuttle bus service, offering frequent passenger and vehicular ferry sailings to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard.
Francis A. Crane Wildlife Management Area: Situated less than 2 miles to the northeast, offering more than 2,000 acres of scenic pine-oak barrens, walking trails, and open conservation land.
Cape Cod Country Club & Paul Harney Golf Course: Premier public golf destinations located within a 5-to-8-minute drive (2 to 4 miles) from the lot.
Cape Cod Fairgrounds: Located roughly 3.5 miles south, home to the annual Barnstable County Fair, seasonal craft fairs, and local festival gatherings.
Downtown Falmouth Historic Village: Approximately 6 miles south, featuring boutique coastal shopping, artisanal cafes, and celebrated seafood restaurants along Main Street.
Shining Sea Bikeway: Cape Cod's renowned 10.7-mile paved multi-use rail trail, accessible from nearby trailheads in North Falmouth and downtown Falmouth.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The Thomas B. Landers facility boasts one of the most accessible locations of any Cape Cod ferry lot. Positioned immediately off the Route 28 (Falmouth / Bourne corridor) exit for Thomas B. Landers Road, incoming motorists avoid the heavy stop-and-go coastal traffic of central Falmouth and the narrow village roadways of Woods Hole. Ingress from Technology Park Drive is controlled through clearly signed entry lanes with ticket issuance or attendant booths, ensuring smooth vehicle staging even during peak Friday evening and Saturday morning turnouts.

Public transit connectivity is anchored by the Steamship Authority's dedicated fleet of complimentary, continuous shuttle motorcoaches. These shuttles run on frequent headways aligned with ferry departures and arrivals from before the first morning sailing until after the arrival of the final evening boat. The shuttle buses drop passengers directly curbside at the Woods Hole terminal slips. Regional road transit links effortlessly with Massachusetts Route 28, connecting northbound drivers seamlessly to Route 151, the Bourne Bridge, Route 25, and Interstate 495 for outbound travel back toward Boston, Providence, and New York.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Expansive Open-Air Surface Parking: Ample parking spaces arranged across paved, well-maintained asphalt bays with wide turning radii and clear wayfinding signs.
Complimentary Terminal Express Shuttles: High-frequency shuttle bus transport directly to and from the Woods Hole Ferry Terminal, operating seven days a week.
Bicycle-Friendly Equipment: Traditional shuttle buses are fitted with front-mounted exterior bike racks capable of carrying standard pedal bicycles on a first-come, first-served basis (note: heavy e-bikes are excluded from bus racks).
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations: Level 2 EV charging spaces available on-site for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle travelers.
Comprehensive Lighting & Safety: High-mast pole lighting, perimeter fencing, regular security patrols, and driver assistance from on-site Steamship Authority personnel.
Covered Waiting Shelters: Weather-protected passenger loading areas with benches, route information, and real-time electronic transit updates.
Multiple Payment Methods: Major credit and debit cards accepted at automated pay kiosks or exit booths upon vehicle retrieval.
Full ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking bays situated in immediate proximity to the passenger waiting pavilion, supported by ADA-compliant wheelchair-lift-equipped shuttles.

Ideal For

Martha's Vineyard Vacationers & Day-Trippers: Mainland visitors boarding passenger ferries at Woods Hole who want convenient parking without navigating village traffic.
Commuters & Island Residents: Island homeowners, seasonal staff, and business professionals requiring reliable multi-day or long-term vehicle staging with frequent shuttle transfers.
High-Headroom & Cargo-Laden Vehicles: Travelers driving full-size pickups, SUVs, or vehicles fitted with luggage racks and kayak holders that cannot fit into standard covered parking garages.
Bikers & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Visitors transporting standard pedal bicycles across to Martha's Vineyard using shuttle-mounted bike racks.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Check Real-Time Lot Status: The Steamship Authority dynamically directs traffic between off-site lots (Palmer Avenue, Thomas B. Landers, and Cataumet) depending on lot fill levels. Before reaching Falmouth, tune your radio to 1610 AM, check overhead digital highway signs along Route 28, or consult the mobile site at SteamshipAuthority.com to confirm that the Thomas B. Landers lot is currently welcoming vehicles.
Allow Ample Buffer Time: During the busy summer season, holiday weekends, and changeover days, plan to arrive at the parking facility at least 60 to 75 minutes prior to your scheduled ferry departure to allow adequate time for parking, luggage handling, and the shuttle ride down to Woods Hole.
Remember Your Parking Space: Take a photo of your aisle letter or numbered section on your smartphone, as the vast lot can look uniform when you return after dark or days later.
Flat Calendar-Day Billing: Parking charges are assessed per calendar day rather than on a rolling 24-hour cycle. Entering the lot early in the morning and leaving late the following afternoon counts as two calendar days.
E-Bike Considerations: If traveling with an electric bike, note that due to weight restrictions, e-bikes cannot be placed on Steamship Authority shuttle bus racks; travelers should plan to ride their e-bike directly down to Woods Hole or arrange alternative mainland transport.