Does anyone know the average auto commute from Worcester to Winchester (and Worcester to Braintree)? (Medford: house)

[Irishgirl3]

I tried searching the forums and online - I could only find the *current* drive time, not what to expect when commuting from Worcester to Winchester Center or commuting from Worcester to Braintree.

I'm hoping this will be a short term thing since our house is about to go on the market and will move further East. My main office would be Winchester if all goes well.

Does anyone have an idea? I know bother are over an hour during non-rush or non "pre-rush" hours.

Thanks!

[Thomas144]

I knew someone who commuted daily from Oxford to Medford, as far as I know she still does - that's essentially the same commute as Worcester to Winchester. I think you would probably take the Mass Pike in to Watertown and then drive back roads through Arlington to Winchester (I used to commute from Winchester to Watertown and it's not bad).

It would probably take less than 2 hours each way. You could experiment with driving the mass pike all the way into the city and then taking 93 north to Medford (and from there to Winchester).

What google maps suggests, taking the mass pike to 128 and then I suppose route 2 to Arlington, doesn't strike me as the best alternative because of traffic, but it might work.

You could also take the commuter rail from Worcester to South Station, then the Orange Line to North Station, then the commuter rail to Winchester Center. The MBTA trip planner says that's 154 minutes but I think it can be done faster, but 2 and 1/2 hours is probably sensible.

[professeurpablo]

Just a total crapshoot thought, but I would try 290E to 495N to 2E to Park Ave in Arlington north to Winchester or 290E to 495N to 93S to Winchester. I'm not sure on the times, but I'd think that the first option above would probably cut out the most traffic congestion time. The worst stretch would probably be through the lights in Concord on Route 2. The second option could be tricky in stretches along 93 between 495 and Winchester. I'd guess 1 1/2 hours perhaps, but I'm really not sure on the time!

[scorpio516]

I did that last week, but at lunch time. Without traffic 9 to pike to 95 to 2 to Park Rd exit through Arlington takes just under 1 hour - I think I did it in 55 or 57 minutes. The only backup was at the Pike to 95 N ramp that was under construction.

Taking 2 all the way from 495 is a crap shoot due to the lights in Concord. If it were a limited access highway the whole way, IMHO that would be the best route.

Could also take 290 -> 495 -> 3 -> 95 -> 3. Right now it would be awful due to the bridge construction on 495 around 2.