Origin
Boston, MA
Afternoon in Boston on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boston, MA to East Dennis, MA
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
79.9 mi
129 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boston, MA
Phil Evenden
East Dennis, MA
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Boston to East Dennis, you are looking at a manageable 79.9-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach the Cape without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend escape. You will navigate primarily via MA 3 and the Mid Cape Highway, transitioning from the urban Northeast corridor toward the coastal atmosphere of the Cape. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40 miles from Boston, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with regional highway travel. With a 50% highway share, the route transitions from the faster pace of the Pilgrims Highway into the Mid Cape Highway as you head toward your destination. You will tackle a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.9 miles on MA 3, which provides a steady rhythm before the road character shifts. The drive is functional and efficient rather than technical, moving you steadily through the Massachusetts landscape. You will find that the transitions between these main roads are clear, keeping the focus on making steady progress toward East Dennis.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near School Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 79.9 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: near the start (School Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Devonshire Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
School Street
Turn left onto School Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Devonshire Street
Turn right onto Devonshire Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
10 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3 | 30.9 mi | 39m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Southeast Expressway | 8 mi | 10m |
| East West Dennis Road | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Sagamore Bridge | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pilgrim Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boston, MA and East Dennis, MA.
1
Start on Tremont Street
230 ft
·
16 sec
·
Tremont Street
2
Turn left onto School Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
School Street
Use the left lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto Washington Street
110 ft
·
4 sec
·
Washington Street
4
Turn right onto Water Street
210 ft
·
11 sec
·
Water Street
5
Turn right onto Devonshire Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Devonshire Street
6
Continue on Otis Street
485 ft
·
18 sec
·
Otis Street
7
Continue on Kingston Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Kingston Street
8
Turn left onto Essex Street
244 ft
·
8 sec
·
Essex Street
9
Turn slight right
86 ft
·
5 sec
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 93 South: Quincy
11
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi
·
39 min
·
MA 3
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
15
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
16
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
17
Continue on US 6
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 78B
Toward MA 134 North: Dennis
19
Turn straight onto MA 134
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East West Dennis Road
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto MA 6A
135 ft
·
11 sec
·
Cranberry Highway
21
Turn left
49 ft
·
3 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 1 hour and 49-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods that often affect the major highways leading toward the Cape. Since this trip requires no mandatory stops to complete the 79.9 miles, you have the freedom to decide whether to push straight through or take a break based on your personal preference. Keep in mind that while the fuel cost is estimated at $13, current gas prices and idling in traffic can shift that total, so it is wise to fill up before leaving Boston. A practical tip for this route is to monitor local traffic reports for the Mid Cape Highway, as road conditions can change quickly as you transition off the main interstate stretches.
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 40 miles from Boston, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 79.9 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 53m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dennis, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boston, 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 Boston, MA
This is one driving day of about 79.9 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boston, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40 mi from Boston, MA · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40 miles from Boston, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Dennis, MA
The final approach into East Dennis, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around East Dennis, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.72 one way
$25.44 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.83 | $27.66 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.10 | $30.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.75 | $35.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24 | 0 | $8.39 | $3.84 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $6.99 | $3.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32 | 0 | $11.19 | $5.11 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
East Dennis, MA
Afternoon in East Dennis on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
26°F
Rocky Point, NY
40 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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Boston, MA to East Dennis, MA covers 79.9 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40 miles from Boston, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 79.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (School Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Devonshire Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Boston, MA to East Dennis, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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