This 83.5-mile journey from Shutesbury, MA to Boston, MA is a straightforward, single-day trip taking about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Primarily utilizing Concord Turnpike and MA 2, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of the drive on faster roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. The drive offers a practical way to travel between these two Massachusetts locations, fitting comfortably into a single day without the need for an overnight stop. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region for the entire trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Shutesbury, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Concord Turnpike
19.8 mi
27m
US 202
18.2 mi
25m
MA 2
12.2 mi
17m
Daniel Shays Highway
10 mi
16m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi
9m
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi
5m
Concord Highway
3.4 mi
4m
I 93
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 19.8 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shutesbury, MA and Boston, MA.
1
Start on Wendell Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·Wendell Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Cooleyville Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Cooleyville Road
3
Continue on Prescott Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Prescott Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 202
10 mi·16 min·Daniel Shays Highway
5
Take the ramp onto US 202
18 mi·25 min·US 202
6
Continue on MA 2
12 mi·17 min·MA 2
7
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi·17 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi·9 min·Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi·1 min·Union Turnpike
10
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
11
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi·35 sec·Elm Street
12
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Concord Turnpike
13
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·5 min·Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
14
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Highway
15
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·4 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
473 ft·13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, WoburnUse the straight / left lanes.
17
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
1.0 mi·2 min·Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
18
Turn right onto Powder House Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·Powder House Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Enter roundabout
234 ft·4 sec
20
Continue
28 ft·0 sec
21
Continue on Warner Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Warner Street
22
Continue on Harvard Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Harvard Street
23
Turn right onto MA 38
1.3 mi·2 min·Mystic Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
26
Merge onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 17B-AToward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government CenterUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 17AToward Government CenterUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road
0.1 mi·26 sec·John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road
30
Turn right onto State Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·State Street
31
Continue on Court Street
473 ft·20 sec·Court Street
32
Turn left onto Tremont Street
333 ft·11 sec·Tremont Street
33
Arrive at destination
Tremont Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 6 minutes for this 83.5-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving Shutesbury, MA, after morning rush hour to avoid congestion closer to Boston. The longest stretch without a break is under 20 miles, so you won't need to worry about extensive stretches without services. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $13 for the trip, and it’s wise to top off before leaving Shutesbury to ensure a smooth arrival in Boston. Pay attention to signage as you transition between Concord Turnpike, US 202, and MA 2 to stay on course.
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 41.7 miles from Shutesbury, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.8 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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 1h 2m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boston, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shutesbury, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shutesbury, MA
This is one driving day of about 83.5 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Shutesbury, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 19.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 42 and 82.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
42 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|Powder House Boulevard
Turn right onto Powder House Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
82.5 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17B-A
Toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center
9
82.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Government Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward Government Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.36 one way
$26.73 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$14.57
$29.15
premium
$4.82
$15.86
$31.71
diesel
$5.61
$18.44
$36.87
Estimated Tolls: $1.67
Concord Turnpike
(16.1 mi)$1.12
Concord Turnpike
(3.7 mi)$0.26
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
(3.5 mi)$0.25
Union Turnpike
(0.6 mi)$0.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.77
$4.01
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.69
$5.34
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Shutesbury, MA
Night
in Shutesbury on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Boston, MA
Night
in Boston on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
2h 6m 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.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 83.5
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
. . . 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 83.5
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...
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 54.7
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 83.5-mile route. With 69% of the mileage on highways, you'll experience stretches of consistent speed, particularly on Concord Turnpike, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.8 miles. While primarily a faster-paced journey, be aware that portions of US 202 and MA 2 might incorporate some local road elements as you get closer to your destination. This blend means you'll likely experience a mix of efficient travel and slightly more varied conditions.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.8 mi on Concord Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Concord Turnpike and US 202. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 83.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 42 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77 miles (Powder House Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shutesbury, MA and Boston, MA, road signs point toward Woburn and Medford.
Woburn
75.9 mi in|~1h 51m
Medford
76 mi in|~1h 51m|via US 3; MA 16
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 83.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.8 miles on Concord Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.67 in tolls one way, starting with Concord Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Boston, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 42 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77 miles (Powder House Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (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 Boston, MA before heading back.
