How far is Arlington, MA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance from Arlington, MA to Boston, MA is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 6.3 miles (10.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 19m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Boston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Boston.
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1
Start on the route
62 m · 16 sec
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2
Turn right onto Academy Street
97 m · 15 sec · Academy Street
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3
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
1020 ft · 19 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Mystic Street
600 ft · 11 sec · Mystic Street
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5
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
773 ft · 27 sec · Chestnut Street
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6
Continue on Medford Street
2134 ft · 1 min · Medford Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Medford Street
41 m · 6 sec · Medford Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Medford Street
90 m · 10 sec · Medford Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto High Street
1465 ft · 52 sec · High Street
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10
Turn right onto Boston Avenue
2704 ft · 1 min · Boston Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Mystic Valley Parkway
1.1 mi · 3 min · Mystic Valley Parkway
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12
Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway
608 ft · 10 sec · Mystic Valley Parkway
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13
Take the ramp slight left toward I 93: Boston, Concord New Hampshire
584 ft · 14 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 93 South: Boston
1322 ft · 32 sec
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15
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate 93 HOV lane
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate 93 HOV lane
1.4 km · 1 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane
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18
Merge slight right onto John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
2482 ft · 38 sec · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center
889 ft · 22 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Government Center
1028 ft · 31 sec
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21
Turn straight onto John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road
598 ft · 27 sec · John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road
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22
Turn right onto State Street
1486 ft · 55 sec · State Street
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23
Continue on Court Street
144 m · 20 sec · Court Street
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24
Turn left onto Tremont Street
102 m · 12 sec · Tremont Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tremont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Boston.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Interstate 93 HOV lane
Keep slight left to continue on Interstate 93 HOV lane
1.66 mi · 00h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Arlington and Light Rain Likely near Boston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Boston?
The road trip is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km) and usually takes 00h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Somerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.2 miles from Arlington and 4.3 miles from Boston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 6.3 miles (10.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.17 one way or $2.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Arlington and Light Rain Likely near Boston.
Stop Ideas Near Somerville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Salem City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerville.
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Boston. Straight-line distance: 6.31 mi (10.15 km).
#1 Arlington
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 45,169 |
| Coordinates | 42.4153700, -71.1564400 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Boston
The twenty-first most populous city in the United States and the center of the Boston metropolitan area.
| Population | 691,531 |
| Coordinates | 42.3584300, -71.0597700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tremont Street (-71.060061, 42.358547)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 14 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $1.17 | $2.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $1.32 | $2.64 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $1.44 | $2.88 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $1.35 | $2.69 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.