North Reading to Longwood

[NS-GR]

I use the North Station - LMA shuttle. At 7:30AM, you should be looking at about 20 minutes. The evening commute is more difficult to predict. At 4:30PM, it could be 20 minutes, but it could also be over 45 minutes. I usually check the updates on twitter (of the shuttle service provider) and I get an idea of how difficult the commute will be. If things are tough, I take a shuttle to Ruggles and then orange to North Station.

For 7:30AM-4:30PM commute, I would not drive. It is not worth the time if you factor in cost and aggravation (rush hour commute time is exactly the same as taking public transportation). For example, exit 26 to Storrow will give you a lot of aggravation... you will need to find ways to come in through Somerville etc...
Off rush hour though, North Reading to LMA is approximately a 30 minute drive (door to door), which is very straightforward.

I would not take the green line either (E line for North station to LMA). It is really annoying and packed and slow and it breaks down more often than the orange.

So, I think that driving to orange line and taking the train to Ruggles and then the shuttle is probably the plan that you will need to try first. I recommend to try it even now, before you commit to a house or a town and see what you think. Driving to commuter rail stops would be my alternative plan. I would try all other options if these two were not satisfactory...

[ECPCVC]

Thanks so much! That is a lot of useful information

[flowbe202]

Another negative for driving - lot parking costs. Depending where you work, your parking options are limited and expensive. For an extra $200-300 a month, ypu could up the housing options.

[robr2]

There is also a bus from Reading Depot that goes to Malden where you can catch the Orange line.

Also consider using Hubway in nicer weather. You can grab a bike at North Station and drop it off and BI.