If you are planning a trip from East Dennis to Quincy, you can expect a manageable 70.3-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes of driving time. Because this route is well within a single day’s travel, it serves perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget about $11 for fuel to cover the distance across this Northeast corridor. Navigating the trip involves a mix of East West Dennis Road, the Mid Cape Highway, and the Pilgrims Highway. It is a practical, efficient route that connects the Cape to the greater Boston area without requiring any planned stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from East Dennis, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pilgrims Highway
41.7 mi
52m
Mid Cape Highway
22.3 mi
30m
East West Dennis Road
3 mi
5m
Burgin Parkway
1.2 mi
1m
Sagamore Bridge
0.4 mi
<1m
Pilgrim Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Hancock Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Granite Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 41.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Dennis, MA and Quincy, MA.
1
Start on this road
186 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MA 134
3.0 mi·5 min·East West Dennis Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
4
Merge onto US 6
22 mi·30 min·Mid Cape Highway
5
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·45 sec·Sagamore Bridge
6
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi·20 sec·Pilgrim Highway
7
Continue on MA 3
42 mi·52 min·Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 42Toward Quincy Center, MBTA Station, Burgin ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on this road
413 ft·10 sec·this road
Exit 19Toward Quincy Center, MBTA Station
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Burgin Parkway, Quincy Center, MBTA Drop-OffUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Burgin Parkway
1.2 mi·1 min·Burgin Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto Granite Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Granite Street
Use the right lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto Hancock Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Hancock Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Coddington Street
265 ft·8 sec·Coddington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Faxon Avenue
362 ft·15 sec·Faxon Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Faxon Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule rather than worrying about long-haul fatigue. To ensure a smooth journey, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave East Dennis, as the $11 estimated cost can fluctuate based on local prices. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily power through the 1 hour and 35 minutes in one go, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a quick break from the frequent turns. Pay close attention to the transition points between East West Dennis Road and the highways, as these navigational shifts are where you will likely spend the most focus. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 70.3-mile distance feel quick and effortless.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.1 miles from East Dennis, MA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quincy, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Dennis, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Dennis, MA
This is one driving day of about 70.3 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from East Dennis, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 41.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 70.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
8
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Quincy Center, MBTA Station, Burgin Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42
Toward Quincy Center, MBTA Station, Burgin Park...
9
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Burgin Parkway, Quincy Center, MBTA Drop-Off
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Burgin Parkway, Quincy Center, MBTA Drop...
7
70 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|Hancock Street
At end of road, turn left onto Hancock Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|Faxon Avenue
Turn left onto Faxon Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.25 one way
$22.50 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.27
$24.54
premium
$4.82
$13.35
$26.70
diesel
$5.61
$15.52
$31.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.38
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.15
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Feb 15, 2022
Origin
East Dennis, MA
Late night
in East Dennis on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Quincy, MA
Late night
in Quincy on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
41°F
Plymouth, MA
35 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses...
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 70.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between different road types. While only about 2% of your trip is spent on major highways, the experience is defined by the contrast between local maneuvering and faster stretches. You will spend your longest uninterrupted period covering 41.7 miles on the Pilgrims Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the entire journey. Outside of that stretch, the road profile shifts frequently, requiring you to adjust to the rhythm of local traffic. Being prepared for these constant changes in road character is key to staying comfortable behind the wheel.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.7 mi on Pilgrims Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 70.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.7 miles on Pilgrims Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area and Boston National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Quincy, MA before heading back.
