How far is Swampscott, MA from Waltham, MA?

The driving distance from Swampscott, MA to Waltham, MA is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
23.21 mi
00h 48m
Flight
17.49 mi
28.14 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Swampscott.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.49 mi
Kilometers
28.14 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.21 mi
Kilometers
37.35 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waltham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:05 AM EDT
Return by in Swampscott
Thu, Apr 23, 2:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Swampscott
2026-04-23T01:17
Arrive Waltham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:05 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Swampscott
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Everett
MA

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

From Swampscott
10.4 mi
00h 24m
To Waltham
12.8 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Swampscott and Waltham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Swampscott and Waltham.

  1. 1

    Start on Hardy Road

    65 m · 10 sec · Hardy Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Monument Avenue

    114 m · 12 sec · Monument Avenue

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Monument Avenue

    22 m · 2 sec · Monument Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Monument Avenue

    136 m · 20 sec · Monument Avenue

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Humphrey Street

    660 ft · 13 sec · Humphrey Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Lynn Shore Drive

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Lynn Shore Drive

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Nahant Circle

    26 m · 1 sec · Lynnway

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto Lynnway

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Lynnway

  9. 9

    Continue on North Shore Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · North Shore Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Revere Street

    2393 ft · 50 sec · Revere Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Revere Street

    2547 ft · 1 min · Revere Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Broadway

    2755 ft · 56 sec · Broadway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Park Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Elm Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Ferry Street

    1226 ft · 33 sec · Ferry Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Broadway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Broadway

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sweetser Circle

    69 m · 4 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

  18. 18

    Exit the rotary onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

    2041 ft · 36 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Santilli Circle

    55 m · 5 sec

  20. 20

    Exit the rotary

    556 ft · 15 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Revere Beach Parkway

    2944 ft · 58 sec · Revere Beach Parkway

  22. 22

    Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Mystic Valley Parkway

  23. 23

    Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway Connector

    1412 ft · 32 sec · Mystic Valley Parkway Connector

  24. 24

    Continue on Harvard Street

    1 km · 1 min · Harvard Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Warner Street

    927 ft · 20 sec · Warner Street

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Powder House Square

    39 m · 3 sec · Powder House Boulevard

  27. 27

    Exit the rotary onto Powder House Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Powder House Boulevard

  28. 28

    Turn left onto North Street

    628 ft · 20 sec · North Street

  29. 29

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Broadway

    1962 ft · 47 sec · Broadway

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Cleveland Street

    1689 ft · 1 min · Cleveland Street

  31. 31

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    68 m · 13 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn left onto Lake Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Lake Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Pleasant Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Pleasant Street

  34. 34

    Turn straight onto Trapelo Road

    1419 ft · 36 sec · Trapelo Road

  35. 35

    Turn left onto Waverley Oaks Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Waverley Oaks Road

  36. 36

    Continue on Linden Street

    2172 ft · 41 sec · Linden Street

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2834 ft · 56 sec · Main Street

  38. 38

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Swampscott and Waltham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
38 steps
26 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
1 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
163.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lynnway
2.21 mi · 10%
North Shore Road
2.18 mi · 9%
Broadway
1.95 mi · 8%
Pleasant Street
1.94 mi · 8%
Waverley Oaks Road
1.32 mi · 6%
Lake Street
1.22 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Lynnway

Exit the rotary onto Lynnway

2.2 mi · 00h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.7 mi
17.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Everett
00h 24m from Swampscott
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Swampscott and Partly Sunny near Waltham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Swampscott to Waltham?

The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Everett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.4 miles from Swampscott and 12.8 miles from Waltham.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 17.5 miles (28.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.19 one way or $6.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Swampscott and Partly Sunny near Waltham.

Stop Ideas Near Everett

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Everett and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 3 mi away

Cocobeet - Boston

Boston , MA
100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
Rating 4.4/5 198 reviews Health food restaurant,Juice shop,Raw food restaurant,Vegan restaurant
Boston's Old City Hall
Scenic stop 3.1 mi away

Boston's Old City Hall

Boston , MA
45 School St, Boston, MA 02108, United States
Rating 4.6/5 346 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , MA
93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
Rating 4.2/5 84 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 3 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Boston , MA
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203
Rating 4.4/5 208 reviews City park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Everett.

RAIL

North Station

5 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

South Station

6 mi away
2 South Station
RAIL

Back Bay station

7 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

14 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Swampscott and Waltham. Straight-line distance: 17.49 mi (28.14 km).

Swampscott

#1 Swampscott

Town in Massachusetts

Population15,462
Coordinates42.4709300, -70.9175500
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Waltham

#2 Waltham

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population62,069
Coordinates42.3764900, -71.2356100
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Hardy Road (-70.917588, 42.47088)
End: Main Street (-71.235588, 42.376412)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 37 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.82 gal
3.1 L · about $3.19
Round trip
$6.38
1.64 gal · 6.2 L
Estimated CO2
7.3 kg one way
Round trip: 14.6 kg / 32 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $3.19 $6.38
Mid-grade $4.40 $3.61 $7.21
Premium $4.80 $3.94 $7.87
Diesel $4.49 $3.68 $7.36

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

There is no time difference between Swampscott and Waltham. The current time is 01:17:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.