Once each week I get more than enough of rush hour, Boston style, which doesn’t rush at all when you consider the traffic’s at a standstill. Don’t know how people do it morning and evening, day after day, week after week.
It’s what I’m calling “crush hour,” even though it’s more than an hour.
Even if it’s where the jobs are, especially the ones that pay.
Jnana's Red Barn 
Years ago, I drove through this type of traffic, and it reminded me how amazing people can be – how they can adapt to all kinds of situations.
In my case, I used the experiences as a laboratory.
I tried books-on-tape (it was so long ago there really were tapes).
I listened to language CDs and deepened my skills a bit which helped a lot in my travels.
Sometimes I’d just sit.
The other drivers and how they were acting became a fascination.
I kept my boogie-board, trunks, and towel in the back of my car, and would just pull over and have a swim or a ride. (I should note this was along the Pacific Ocean)
Once in awhile, I’d blow bubbles out the window.
You mention Boston, and in the times I’ve driven there it’s felt more like a competitive sport, so I suppose that’s one way to adapt.
I continue to refuse to use a phone in the car for speaking or texting. I’ve seen too many close calls (and worse).
The best is simply to enjoy the ride.
Vincent
Thankfully when i was working shift work i would be at work before the morning crush would begin and home before or after the evening one, but as i went on a bus (big thing with lots of people on it :D) i would always take along a book to read.