drive time for Cambridge to Westwood? (working in Westwood) (Boston: house, transfer to)

[mirzlet]

Hi,

How long does a commute by car take from Cambridge (where I would live) to Westwood (where I would work)? Google maps says 33 minutes, but judging by the traffic I've seen in the area, I imagine it could often be much worse? I'd need to arrive in Westwood by 10am, and I could leave around 7pm, so perhaps the off hours might help me dodge a little of the heavy commute hours. Is traffic going to be a problem all hours of the day?

I don't really want to own a car. Luckily, a car pool should be available.

I'd love to take a train instead, but it seems that it would take at least an hour. My job is near the Islington Station, which has the Franklin commuter rail line. I imagine I could take that to south station and then transfer to the red line. An hour commute is too much for me though

I want to live in Cambridge, it seems to be a uniquely suitable place for me in the Boston area. (I'm a single guy with no kids, and I'm not looking to buy a house anytime soon)


Thanks!

[Suericio]

i dont think u will have any problems around that time. i usually take an xtra 10 min off maps depending on how u drive. and looks like u will driving outside of boston on the 128 corridor. so u should be good. less than 1/2hr i would say give or take

[jayrandom]

You'll be going mostly reverse, so that should I help. I'd guess 40 minutes give or take--it takes me 30-35 minutes from MIT to Westwood on Saturday mornings with almost no traffic. I don't think it would better in a reverse commute during the actual workweek .

The train takes about an hour (I live near Islington and work in Cambridge). Where is your company located? I can't think of much that would be a short walk from Islington station--it's pretty residential.

[mirzlet]

Right on, hooray for reverse commute Thanks for the helpful info!

My job is at an office park about a mile south of Islington Station, near the intersection of Providence Highway (1) and Everrett St. It's not a short walk, but I'd be up for it when the carpool falls through. Maybe I could take a bike on the train in that case.

[jayrandom]

Westwood is definitely not the place for young single guys, so I think living in Cambridge will definitely be worth the hour of commuting you'll do a day.

I think I know the office park you speak of--that intersection is in Norwood but it's relatively close to the Islington station. It's about a mile if you brave walking on the sidewalk-free Providence Highway--a bit more if you go the way with sidewalks. Certainly not unthinkable to walk that distance but it might be hard with lots of snow.

If you take a bike, you also have the option of the Route 128 Station, which is about 2.5 miles away and would make a good backup for those times when the Red Line makes you miss the Franklin train.

Depending on where you are in Cambridge, the fastest route to drive may be 93 or it may the Turnpike to 128...if there is ever a major incident on either you should be able to take the other, which should make driving that much better.

Good luck!

[Suericio]

hey man where are u living now? try places like brookline area, i think that is pretty suitable for someone young and single. lots of chicks floating around whether it be college girls or just young professionals. not to familiar w/ cambridge but brookline or chestnut hill area has some nice hangout spots as well as eateries. and its atleast alittle closer to westwood.......