Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
46.3 mi
75 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Boston, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Auburn to Boston is a straightforward 46.3-mile journey that typically takes about an hour and one minute. Since this trip is entirely within the Northeast, you won't encounter major regional shifts, making it a perfect candidate for a simple day trip. You can comfortably budget around $7 for fuel, ensuring this is an affordable excursion. Because the drive is so short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or mid-route accommodations. It is a highly practical connection for those looking to reach the city efficiently without turning the commute into a major expedition.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 40.3 mi | 48m |
| Washington Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Cutoff | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Lincoln Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Devonshire Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Kneeland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MA and Boston, MA.
Start on Central Street
Turn left onto South Street
Turn left onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn left onto Kneeland Street
Turn right onto Lincoln Street
At end of road, turn left onto Summer Street
Turn right onto Devonshire Street
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Turn right onto Arch Street
Turn left onto Milk Street
Continue on Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto Court Street
Turn left onto Tremont Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.2 miles from Auburn, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 45 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 90, MA 146
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward South Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$7.41 one way
$14.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $8.08 | $16.16 |
| premium | $4.82 | $8.79 | $17.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
| Efficient EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.48 | $2.96 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Boston on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of your travel time will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which accounts for a 40.3-mile stretch of your total distance. As you transition off the turnpike, the character of the road shifts slightly as you navigate local segments via Washington Street and South Street. This is an interstate-heavy grind designed for speed rather than leisurely cruising. The transition from the open highway to the final local road stretches marks the final leg of your arrival into the city.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Washington Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
350 ft
Total Descent
911 ft
Highest Point
610 ft
Elevation Range
612 ft
A city of history and tradition, Boston offers a proud legacy of culture, education, and numerous sporting championships. The "shining city on a hill"s independent spirit has been displayed to the world ever since colonists were angry over a British tax on their beloved tea and dumped shiploads of it into the harbor in protest. In the early 1600s, the peninsula in Massachusetts that would become known as Boston was controlled by Native Americans until John Smith (English soldier, explorer, colonial governor, Admiral of New England, and author) named the area New England to attract European settlers. Boston was founded in 1630 by John Winthrop, making it one of the oldest cities in the U.S. No other American city has made more of an effort to preserve its history, and you'll find buildings that pre-date the republic dotted throughout the region.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 1m. Total distance: 46.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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