How far is Waltham, MA from Boston, MA?

The driving distance from Waltham, MA to Boston, MA is about 13.7 miles (22 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
13.7 mi
00h 24m
Flight
9.07 mi
14.59 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waltham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.07 mi
Kilometers
14.59 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
13.7 mi
Kilometers
22.05 km
Drive Time
00h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boston
Wed, Apr 22, 10:28 PM EDT
Return by in Waltham
Wed, Apr 22, 10:53 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waltham
2026-04-22T22:04
Arrive Boston
Wed, Apr 22, 10:28 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:24 AM to 7:24 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Waltham
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Brookline
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Waltham
5.7 mi
00h 12m
To Boston
8 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S
Destination
47°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    56 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Elm Street

    1103 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto River Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · River Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Farwell Street

    865 ft · 17 sec · Farwell Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North Street

    2590 ft · 57 sec · North Street

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Crafts Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Crafts Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Washington Street

    3101 ft · 2 min · Washington Street

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Centre Street

    135 m · 16 sec · Centre Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Centre Street

    21 m · 3 sec · Centre Street

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward Centre Street

    653 ft · 24 sec · Centre Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Washington Street

    87 m · 7 sec · Washington Street

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street

    92 m · 6 sec · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Saint James Street

    55 m · 4 sec · Saint James Street

  14. 14

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Boston

    1159 ft · 28 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight left toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy

    156 m · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on South Station

    1718 ft · 47 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Kneeland Street

    525 ft · 22 sec · Kneeland Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Lincoln Street

    1345 ft · 51 sec · Lincoln Street

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Summer Street

    25 m · 6 sec · Summer Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Devonshire Street

    687 ft · 32 sec · Devonshire Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Franklin Street

    53 m · 8 sec · Franklin Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Arch Street

    141 m · 20 sec · Arch Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Milk Street

    84 m · 9 sec · Milk Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Washington Street

    737 ft · 33 sec · Washington Street

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Court Street

    144 m · 20 sec · Court Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Tremont Street

    102 m · 12 sec · Tremont Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tremont Street

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
204.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Massachusetts Turnpike
6.17 mi · 45%
Crafts Street
0.96 mi · 7%
River Street
0.92 mi · 7%
Washington Street
0.84 mi · 6%
North Street
0.49 mi · 4%
South Station
0.33 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Massachusetts Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

6.17 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 24m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
9.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookline
00h 12m from Waltham
Leave By
7:42 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Waltham 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 Waltham to Boston?

The road trip is about 13.7 miles (22 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?

Brookline is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.7 miles from Waltham and 8 miles from Boston.

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

The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.87 one way or $3.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Waltham and Light Rain Likely near Boston.

Stop Ideas Near Brookline

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 Brookline and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 4.3 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 4.2 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
Cambridge City Hall
Meeting point 2 mi away

Cambridge City Hall

Cambridge , MA
795 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Rating 4.4/5 47 reviews City Hall,City government office
Shoppers World
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Shoppers World

Framingham , MA
1 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01701, United States
Rating 4.3/5 2,625 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Back Bay station

4 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

6 mi away
2 South Station
RAIL

North Station

6 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Route 128 station

14 mi away
50 University Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waltham and Boston. Straight-line distance: 9.07 mi (14.59 km).

Waltham

#1 Waltham

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population62,069
Coordinates42.3764900, -71.2356100
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Boston

#2 Boston

The twenty-first most populous city in the United States and the center of the Boston metropolitan area.

Population691,531
Coordinates42.3584300, -71.0597700
Altitude14
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-71.235588, 42.376412)
End: Tremont Street (-71.060061, 42.358547)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 22 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.48 gal
1.83 L · about $1.87
Round trip
$3.73
0.96 gal · 3.66 L
Estimated CO2
4.3 kg one way
Round trip: 8.5 kg / 19 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $1.87 $3.73
Mid-grade $4.40 $2.11 $4.22
Premium $4.80 $2.30 $4.61
Diesel $4.49 $2.15 $4.31

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 Waltham and Boston. The current time is 22:04:38.

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.