Drive from Natick to Needham during rush hours (Wellesley: house, school)

[oc931]

How long would it take?
Is there any public transportation, like buses?
Any comments/advice/suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you very much!

[MikePRU]

What part of Natick and what part of Needham are we talking about? I can't imagine it would take more than 20 minutes going from the furthest corner of one to the furthest corner of the other. However, if you can give me an idea of where you're coming from and where you're going I can give you route suggestions.

As far as public transportation . . . I would try using the trip planner on MBTA.com.

[oc931]

Thanks a lot. center to center.
I hope someone who commute every day could give some inputs too.

[MikePRU]

I wouldn't say Natick Center to Needham Center is a common commute. I'm pretty sure there's not a public transportation option but double check on MBTA.com. Driving this shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes. I would avoid Wellesley Center by cutting through the Dana Hall area and going by the Ten Acre School. Otherwise, I would stick to 135 for the remainder of the drive.

[beth98]

There are no public transportation options. I would say 10-15 minutes is probably overly optimistic. 20-30 minutes is probably more realistic.

[mmyk72]

I used to drive from W.Natick to the east side of Needham and if no traffic, only takes 20 min. During rush hour (7:15 to 8:30 roughly), itd take 2x as long.

Diff is that I can get right on Rt 9 easily from the house and the destination is right off I95 N. It sounds like you'd have to add 5-10 min to either end if using rt 9. 135 thru Wellesley is prob most direct and it is really not that bad in the morning. The wellesley center traffic is only backed up at the light where wellsley college is - you may have to wait for 3-4ight changes to get thru. I suggest to plan 40 min.

I used to detour to Dana Hall but found that it really doesn't help too much - lots of turns and stop signs. You can try taking union st from natick, then west on charles st(?) Most of the way into needham.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by mmyk72

The wellesley center traffic is only backed up at the light where wellsley college is - you may have to wait for 3-4ight changes to get thru.

You can completely avoid that light if you take Pond St. off of 135. Then cut over through the Dana Hall area. I do it all the time and it's about a 15 minute drive from center to center. If you know where the traffic is and avoid those areas, it doesn't matter too much what time of day it is.

I do a lot of business in Natick and my office and home are in Needham. I zip through that area all the time at various times of day.