Commute from the Milton / Quincy / Braintree area to the Bedford / Burlington / Billerica area

[CathMac]

Has anyone commuted from South of Boston to North of Boston (more specifically from the Milton / Quincy / Braintree area to the Bedford / Burlington / Billerica area)?

Mapquest recommends taking Rt 128 around Boston.  Would it be faster to go through Boston?  Or would it depend upon the time of day?

I'm guessing that either way it would be a 2 hour ride at the peak of rush hour.  But could you keep it to 1 1/2 hours if you left at 6:30 - 7:00 AM?  

Could I find an alternate route somewhere between the 128 belt and the west of Boston or even perhaps to the West of Rt 128?

And which is the better commute home:  Rt 128 around Boston, through Boston, or something in between?

I'd appreciate any insight from anyone that may have done a similar commute.

Thanks,

~Cath

[jessjgh1]

Are you looking for a one time thing/occasional, or daily (ugh)?

I think it is really going to depend on the time of day... but there is often congestion on 95/93, too, if you go that way to get onto 128.  Plus, it is really going to depend on where you are in that area and how far off the highways you are at either end. 

It also depends on how 'on time' you have to be.  Do you HAVE to be somewhere by 8:00, or can you get stuck being late if the traffic is impossible on occasion.  When I lived in Quincy I rarely drove in, but when I did it was very speedy... unless something was going on  From Quincy area it can be a very quick shot thru Boston- but you'll have to get past Storrow, etc to avoid other traffic issues.

Google mapquest, etc do actually give good time estimates for 'normal' traffic.  Play around a bit with that (I didn't know at first that you can drag the routes around- so you can see the mileage and time estimates for the quick shot thru Boston verses going around 128).  Where you area starting and ending up may add a LOT of time to the total- quick shots onto the highways will help out a lot.  There's not much that goes E-W to connect to 128.

Good luck.

Jessica

[HollyBearsMom]

Well I did the opposite, Woburn (Burlington side) to Quincy and honestly it was a corn toss which way to go and often it was a nightmare. If its just the occasional drive get up early and watch the traffic reports and then decide.

If its a daily commute (which is no fun, I ended up moving to the South Shore)  both ways for me were *roughly* the same for the AM commute if there were no traffic issues. I agree with Jess is that you should mapquest/google maps the exact driving directions to get an idea of the "average" commuting time and miles. Try different options too (fastest, most direct, etc) 

If you have a smart phone or GPS I would run the drive at the times you would be driving for a few days and monitor the traffic patterns. This will give you a sense which roads tend to be the clearest.

Lastly, if this is for a job or some kind of interview, Dr's app't, etc talk to the HR dept or the receptionist for any back road hints/options. 

Good luck!

[CathMac]

Jess and HBM,

Thanks so much for the input.  The good news / bad news is that while it would be full time it's only temporary, to cover someone's maternity leave over the summer.  At least I wouldn't have to deal with snow and ice.

The interview went well and I don't think they have any other candidates under consideration, but they have a while to decide so I'm not expecting to hear back right away.  

But if they were to offer me a position it wouldn't interfere with my Cobra and Cobra assistance so it's a no brainer.  If I have a 2 hour commute each way I'll just have to tough it out and deal with it and everything thing that goes with it, including DH's attitude.

Kel