Acton to Belmont in rush hour? (Cambridge, Waltham: home, bus, train)

[bunnyslippers]

Please tell me the best way to get to Belmont Center from Acton by 8 am? I have read that taking the 2East should be avoided early in the am. Thanks.

[miu]

I think that Route 2 eastbound should be alright to travel. I feel that it only gets cloggy entering the Cambridge Fresh Pond area with the traffic lights and rotaries. Study the map and get acquainted with getting to Belmont Center via the early Route 2 exits. That way, if the traffic ever backs up sooner, just jump off Route 2 earlier. For instance, if you take the Arlington Heights exit, but stay along that frontage road that parallels Route 2, you can avoid highway traffic and still get quickly and easily to Pleasant St. and on into Belmont.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by miu

For instance, if you take the Arlington Heights exit, but stay along that frontage road that parallels Route 2, you can avoid highway traffic and still get quickly and easily to Pleasant St. and on into Belmont.

Just to tweak this particular example: if you get off at Arlington Hghts (Park Av), you can turn right on Park Av, take Prospect St (2nd turnoff) at the rotary, and bear right onto Clifton St for a quick and direct route to Belmont Center. In fact, I'd do it this way even without traffic. Going to Pleasant St. sort of requires going slightly past just to double back and it's usually more likely to back up than Prospect and Clifton Sts.

From the Winter St exit, you head into Belmont and go left on Concord Av. Also straight to Belmont Center.

It's a bit of a hassle since the ramp puts you in the wrong direction and you have to turn around, but the Spring St exit in Waltham has you at the western end of Concord Av. I've never really had to do it inbound at rush hour, but generally Concord Av. in this stretch (which runs parallel to Rt. 2) is not heavily trafficked. Could be an alternative if 2 really is backed up.

For getting from Acton to the general Belmont vicinity, it's Route 2 all the way. It's not worth it to get into 128 to the Pike or Route 3.

[brightdoglover]

Rt. 2 east is basically the only way to go. I work in Belmont, right off Winter Street. If I ever have to be in at 8a (rare) I leave at 6:30a and go to breakfast at Andros Diner. If you leave at a "normal" time to get to Belmont at 8a, you will be backed up on 2 east with everyone else.
You shouldn't have to get to Fresh Pond to go to Belmont, but the suggestion to get off at Winter Street is a very good one.

[bunnyslippers]

Took the 2 all the way getting off at Pleasant to Blanchard. The 2 was a breeze except when you get into Concord but afterwards smooth. More backed up on Blanchard to Grove and still got there in 25 minutes. Did I just get lucky with the 2 or not? Left at 7:15.

[brightdoglover]

The Purple Line commuter train runs from South Acton to Waverly Square in Belmont, and the schedule is very good for M-F business hour commuting.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

The Purple Line commuter train runs from South Acton to Waverly Square in Belmont, and the schedule is very good for M-F business hour commuting.

The train goes to Belmont Center as well. If you have to go to Grove St you can take the 75 bus from Belmont Center, or the 73 runs from Waverley down Belmont St and stops at Grove and Belmont.

[bunnyslippers]

The commute turned out to be really easy to Belmont in the Am and on the way home on the 2 until you get near Concord. Takes about 21 minutes in the am and 30 coming home at 5:30. Even so, I'm looking for something closer.