How far is South Boston, MA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance from South Boston, MA to Boston, MA is about 3.1 miles (5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 26m 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 13m.
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.
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Boston and Boston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Boston and Boston.
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1
Start on Dorchester Street
85 m · 17 sec · Dorchester Street
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2
Turn left onto West Sixth Street
1583 ft · 56 sec · West Sixth Street
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3
Continue on Orton-Marotta Way
1105 ft · 40 sec · Orton-Marotta Way
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto B Street
89 m · 15 sec · B Street
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5
Turn left onto West Fifth Street
547 ft · 19 sec · West Fifth Street
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6
Turn right onto Dorchester Avenue
130 m · 19 sec · Dorchester Avenue
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7
Turn left onto West Fourth Street
1349 ft · 52 sec · West Fourth Street
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8
Turn right onto Frontage Road
49 m · 3 sec · Frontage Road
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9
Continue on Frontage Road
550 ft · 12 sec · Frontage Road
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10
Continue on Frontage Road
2103 ft · 41 sec · Frontage Road
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11
Continue on Atlantic Avenue
109 m · 20 sec · Atlantic Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Beach Street
555 ft · 21 sec · Beach Street
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13
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
977 ft · 39 sec · Lincoln Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Summer Street
25 m · 6 sec · Summer Street
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15
Turn right onto Devonshire Street
687 ft · 32 sec · Devonshire Street
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16
Turn left onto Franklin Street
53 m · 8 sec · Franklin Street
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17
Turn right onto Arch Street
141 m · 20 sec · Arch Street
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18
Turn left onto Milk Street
84 m · 9 sec · Milk Street
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19
Continue on Washington Street
737 ft · 33 sec · Washington Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Court Street
144 m · 20 sec · Court Street
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21
Turn left onto Tremont Street
102 m · 12 sec · Tremont Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tremont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Boston 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.
Frontage Road
Continue on Frontage Road
0.4 mi · 41 sec
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving South Boston and Rain Showers Likely near Boston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Boston to Boston?
The road trip is about 3.1 miles (5 km) and usually takes 00h 13m 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?
Cambridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 1.3 miles from South Boston and 1.9 miles from Boston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.3 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 8:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.43 one way or $0.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around South Boston and Rain Showers Likely near Boston.
Stop Ideas Near Cambridge
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 Cambridge.
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Boston and Boston. Straight-line distance: 1.81 mi (2.91 km).
#1 South Boston
This historic Boston neighborhood, often called "Southie," is situated south of downtown Boston and the Fort Point Channel, with Dorchester Bay to its east and south.
| Population | 571,281 |
| Coordinates | 42.3334300, -71.0494900 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| 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 (-71.060035, 42.358548)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 5 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $0.43 | $0.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $0.48 | $0.97 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $0.53 | $1.06 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $0.49 | $0.99 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.