Commute from Natick to Boston (Sturbridge: buying a home, buying, live in)

[Kaymarie142]

My fiancé and I are considering buying a home in Natick. We currently live on the north shore and aren’t familiar with traveling on the Pike during rush hour. I’d like to hear from residents of Natick, who drive into Boston, what your average drive time is. Is the Pike a parking lot every week day, as is 93? (pre-Covid data, please).

The house would be no more than 2 miles from the Pike. My office is in the Back Bay.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by Kaymarie142

Is the Pike a parking lot every week day, as is 93? (pre-Covid data, please).

Yes, although it's not as bad once you get past the 128 interchange as you lose some commuters that need to go north or south. So 90>93, but not by a lot.

[CaseyB]

Any reason you can’t take the train?

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by Kaymarie142

Is the Pike a parking lot every week day, as is 93? (pre-Covid data, please).

If you work early enough, no. If you're getting to Back Bay before 7, traffic isn't bad inside 128. From 9 or 30 to 128? That's stop and go by about 6:15.
Coming home? Traffic stops at Boston Landing and doesn't get moving again until outside 495. On Fridays, make that 84 in Sturbridge...

Commuter Rail to Natick Center even today is 36 minutes from Back Bay. Normally it would be a little under 30.

[Kaymarie142]

I get to my office for 8:30am and leave anywhere from 5:30-6:30pm usually. If anyone could share their average drive times, I would really appreciate it.

[BosYuppie]

Sorry but this is not a good time to make accurate estimates of driving time. Nobody know what it will be like post-covid either.

Again, the Commuter Rail is a very good option from natick

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

Sorry but this is not a good time to make accurate estimates of driving time. Nobody know what it will be like post-covid either.

Again, the Commuter Rail is a very good option from natick

Parking is an issue.

[Kaymarie142]

I am merely asking for pre-Covid drive times so that I can make a rough comparison.

Again, I will be driving. I will not be taking public transportation. Historical drive time data is all I’m after. Thank you.

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by Kaymarie142

I am merely asking for pre-Covid drive times so that I can make a rough comparison.

Again, I will be driving. I will not be taking public transportation. Historical drive time data is all I’m after. Thank you.

I would recommend seeking out a Natick FB group. People ask these questions all the time in the town I live in, and there are always dozens of responses specific to the exact commute.

[scorpio516]

Westbound, probably about 45 minutes. Longer on Fridays in the summer.
Eastbound, at least the same. Longer during the months your driving into the sunrise.

It has gotten a lot better since the 128/90 interchange was rebuilt, but it's still only 2 or 3 lanes right there. Even if you hit great traffic, you'll still stop there.