Driving on the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard is a unique experience in the Northeast. Use of the Island’s OSV Corridor requires careful consideration of both your vehicle and supplies needed for a day oversand. The island’s diverse coastline offers a variety of sandy stretches for over-sanders to enjoy, each providing a different perspective of this charming New England destination. To make the most of your beach-driving adventure, it’s crucial to choose the right vehicle and pack the essential supplies for a safe and enjoyable day on the beach.

The Right Vehicle

The sandy terrain of the Vineyard’s beaches demand a capable off-road vehicle. A four-wheel-drive (4WD or 4X4) is essential for navigating through the soft, sandy surfaces common on the Island’s Oversand beaches. Most trucks and 4X4 SUVs meet this requirement, but many locations will restrict access for AWD cars or crossovers such as Audis or Subarus. 

An OSV Permit

In order to hit the sand, you’ll need the all-important OSV permit to drive on any of the Vineyard’s famous oversand beaches. For Martha’s Vineyard, there are two separate OSV Permits, depending on which beaches you would like to enjoy. You can learn more about both the Town of Edgartown’s Oversand Vehicle (OSV) Permit, Cape Poge and Leland Beach Oversand Permit or the ‘All Over’ Permit in our article on how to get Martha’s Vineyard Oversand Permits. 

Required Gear

Tire Pressure Gauge

Lowering tire pressure is required when driving on soft sand to increase the surface area of the tire and improve traction. To safely and accurately do this you will need to come prepared with a tire pressure gauge. These are readily available at most gas stations as well as on Amazon. For the Vineyard’s ultra soft and sandy beaches, it is recommended by both the Town and the Trustees that tires are deflated to between 10 and 15 PSI.

Shovel

A shovel is required to be in the vehicle in case you get stuck and need to dig yourself or other over-sanders out. There are a variety of small, foldable shovels available which will not take up too much space in your vehicle, while still providing the help you need if you get stuck. 

Full Size Spare Tire

Many modern cars are equipped with some kind of spare tire, but for off road driving a full size spare is needed in case you get a flat. A space-saver or ‘donut’ spare tire will not provide the traction needed in an emergency situation. 

Vehicle Jack

Most cars come with some kind of jack in case of a flat tire, but ensure yours is intact and operational. 

Jack Board

Your vehicle jack is intended to be used on a hard surface like pavement. Unfortunately you won’t have that luxury out on the beach. A jack board takes the place of that pavement, providing a stable surface to operate your jack. Simply put, a 12”x12” piece of standard plywood underneath the  jack, to lift the car. 

What else should I have in my car when I drive on the beach?

The items outlined above are what is absolutely required for beach driving on Martha’s Vineyard, but there are plenty of other things you should make sure to bring to have a great day on the beach. Check out our article outlining essential items to bring on your OSV beach day for more.