Woburn to Saugus Commute? (Lowell, Lynn: apartment, theatre, high school)

[Meesherbeans]

I'm already locked into that commute one way or the other, so I'm more looking for advice and/or assurances as to the commute itself rather than where I should live! I recently got a job in Saugus, right on Route 1. My fiance, after looking around quite a bit, settled on an apartment in Woburn. We'll be looking to start a family in the next few years, and we both absolutely adore the suburban lifestyle/atmosphere--Woburn was an obvious choice, given location. (He's a teacher, so he's surrounded by lots of districts!)

The commute I'm planning on taking is the 95N route in the morning, passing by 93 and getting off on Walnut St. I was told by my new manager that that's the route she would suggest. How bad will this commute be? I'm not sure how bad the traffic will be for me, since I'll be bypassing 93 on my commute...but at the same time, I've lived on a mountain in Vermont for the past year! I'm not yet used to this type of traffic again! What time allotment would you suggest I try to aim for? I was thinking a 40 minute commute, to be safe; is that hopeful or overkill? I'm really worried about this commute, but at the same time very excited to be moving into the area! Any advice on this drive?

Edit: also, any advice you guys would have on theatre and/or puppetry programs in schools around the Woburn area would be greatly appreciated! My guy is a theatre specialist with lots of experience in puppetry and rudimentary sign language. High school would be preferred, but anything to get his foot in the door...even subbing!

[Cliff Clavin]

I did a Saugus -> Lowell commute for years, and took 95 south, through Woburn, to rt 3 north. Took me 40-1hr depending on traffic. I'd say you're looking at ~25 minutes. The only suggestion I'd make to your route would be (depending on where on rt 1 you were going) to consider getting off in Wakefield by the lake, and shooting down Northern Ave. I was coming from Main St in Saugus, and that's how I always did it.

Good luck.

[Meesherbeans]

Thank you for the estimate on time--that makes me feel much better! As for where I'm working on Route 1.. let me put it this way: if I take the Walnut St. exit off of 95N and drive down to Route 1, I am the first right off of it. If I got off an exit early, I'd have to drive down Route 1 for a little ways (wanna say half a mile to 3/4 a mile) and then do a turn around, since I'm on the other side of the highway.

Thank you again, Cliff; very helpful!!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by Meesherbeans

As for where I'm working on Route 1.. let me put it this way: if I take the Walnut St. exit off of 95N and drive down to Route 1, I am the first right off of it. If I got off an exit early, I'd have to drive down Route 1 for a little ways (wanna say half a mile to 3/4 a mile) and then do a turn around, since I'm on the other side of the highway.

Not sure I follow this. If you get off at Main St Wakefield or North Av you can take Water St (129) and it leads right into Walnut St. You hit Route 1 in the exact same place as you would exiting at Walnut St.

The only issue is which is faster: Staying on 128 all the way to Exit 43 (Walnut St) or getting off at Exit 39 or 40 and taking the streets through Wakefield. I don't know the answer personally, but getting off sooner wont cause you to have to spend more time on 1 or turn around if you take Water St.

[Meesherbeans]

Originally Posted by holden125

Not sure I follow this. If you get off at Main St Wakefield or North Av you can take Water St (129) and it leads right into Walnut St. You hit Route 1 in the exact same place as you would exiting at Walnut St.

The only issue is which is faster: Staying on 128 all the way to Exit 43 (Walnut St) or getting off at Exit 39 or 40 and taking the streets through Wakefield. I don't know the answer personally, but getting off sooner wont cause you to have to spend more time on 1 or turn around if you take Water St.

Yes, I was remembering the commute wrong. I've been making the commute for about a week now, and the Walnut Street exit (43) makes my whole drive--in the morning, at least--only about 20 to 25 minutes. Cliff was spot on with his estimate!

[NorthShoreMA]

You could also take 93 to the Stoneham/Melrose exit where you can pick up Lynn Fells Parkway and end up on Route 1 (N or S) to your destination.