Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
54m
Distance
39.2 mi
63 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Boston, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning just 39.2 miles, the drive from Plymouth to Boston is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Northeast. You can expect to reach your destination in approximately 54 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating primarily via MA 3, Samoset Street, and the Pilgrims Highway, you will find the trip both efficient and budget-friendly with a fuel cost of about $6. Since both locations are within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this short route offers a practical connection between these two historic Massachusetts hubs.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pilgrims Highway | 27.5 mi | 34m |
| MA 3 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Samoset Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| US 44 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Lincoln Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MA and Boston, MA.
Start on MA 3A
Turn left onto US 44
Take the ramp onto US 44
Merge onto US 44; MA 3
Continue on MA 3
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on 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
20 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from Plymouth, 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 1.2 and 38.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward South Station, Airport
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. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto Summer Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$6.27 one way
$12.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.84 | $13.68 |
| premium | $4.82 | $7.44 | $14.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.65 | $17.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.43 | $1.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Morning in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Boston on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. While 23% of your journey takes place on highways, you will encounter a mix of local streets and faster segments. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip is a 27.5-mile stretch along the Pilgrims Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of the route. As you progress from Plymouth toward Boston, the road environment shifts from local navigation to more sustained highway speeds. Staying alert for these changes in road character will help you manage the transition smoothly behind the wheel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway.
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 39.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.2 miles (US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Founded 1620
Plymouth is on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is most famous for being the final landing place of the Pilgrims who arrived on board the Mayflower in 1620, after storms lead them away from their desired settlement, the Hudson River. The settlement they established, Plimoth Colony, was one of the earliest successful settlements of Europeans in North America. In addition to its obvious historical draws, modern-day Plymouth is a picturesque seaside town with a bustling summer resident population who come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, ponds, and forests. Although summer is Plymouth's peak tourist season, spring (before Memorial Day) and fall (after Labor Day) can be excellent times to visit. These bumper seasons are less crowded and certainly more comfortable temperature-wise.
Top landmarks
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 54m. Total distance: 39.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Plymouth, MA or browse trips ending in Boston, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
