Trip from Boston, MA to Groton, MA

Drive Time

1h 2m

Distance

41.6 mi

67 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min

4 AM

0h 58m ★

6 AM

1h 3m

8 AM

1h 13m

10 AM

1h 6m

12 PM

1h 5m

3 PM

1h 7m

5 PM

1h 13m

8 PM

1h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Boston, MA

Phil Evenden

town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Groton, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Boston, MA to Groton, MA covers 41.6 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 3, I 495, Boston Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.9 miles on US 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.62 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

20.8 miles from Boston, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Boston, MA to Groton, MA covers 41.6 miles and takes about 1h 2m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 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 around 0.4 miles in near Cambridge Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 41.6 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 0.4 miles (Cambridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 30 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Cambridge Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

4.6 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington

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 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlin...

14.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 3

Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

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 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...

14.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 3

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

24.7 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro

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 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlbor...

Towns Along This Route

Between Boston, MA and Groton, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro - among others.

Arlington

4.6 mi in | ~8m

Lowell

12.7 mi in | ~21m | via US 3

Middlesex Turnpike

14.1 mi in | ~23m | via US 3

Burlington

14.1 mi in | ~23m | via US 3

Nashua New Hampshire

14.1 mi in | ~23m | via US 3

Marlboro

24.7 mi in | ~37m

Acton

34.5 mi in | ~48m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 3	10.9 mi	13m
I 495	8.4 mi	9m
Boston Road	3.9 mi	6m
I 93	2.8 mi	3m
Great Road	2.1 mi	3m
Cambridge Road	2 mi	2m
Cambridge Street	1.8 mi	2m
Winthrop Street	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 3 — 10.9 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boston, MA and Groton, MA.

Start on Tremont Street

230 ft · 11 sec · Tremont Street

Turn right onto Beacon Street

302 ft · 11 sec · Beacon Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Somerset Street

340 ft · 13 sec · Somerset Street

Turn left onto Ashburton Place

210 ft · 7 sec · Ashburton Place

Keep slight right at fork onto Ashburton Place

253 ft · 8 sec · Ashburton Place

Turn straight onto Bowdoin Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Bowdoin Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

439 ft · 21 sec · Cambridge Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Sudbury Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Sudbury Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

1.1 mi · 2 min

Toward I 93 North: Concord NH

Merge onto I 93

2.8 mi · 3 min · I 93

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington Use the slight right lane.

Continue on MA 16

1.1 mi · 2 min · Mystic Valley Parkway

Turn right onto MA 38

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Winthrop Street

Use the right lane.

Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street

117 ft · 2 sec · Winthrop Street

Continue on Winthrop Street

1.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Street

Continue on MA 38

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Main Street

Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street

94 ft · 1 sec · Bacon Street

Continue on Bacon Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bacon Street

Turn left onto Church Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto US 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

Continue on US 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

Continue on US 3

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Cambridge Street

Take the exit onto US 3

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 3

Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell

Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128

1.1 mi · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 3

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 3

Exit 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 3

Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3

9.8 mi · 11 min · US 3

Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.5 mi · 32 sec · US 3

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Exit 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Exit 81B Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Merge onto I 495

8.4 mi · 9 min · I 495

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 80 Toward MA 119: Groton, Acton

Turn left onto MA 119

2.1 mi · 3 min · Great Road

Continue on MA 119

3.9 mi · 6 min · Boston Road

Continue on MA 119; MA 225

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 119

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Main Street

Turn right

136 ft · 15 sec

At end of road, turn left

134 ft · 14 sec

Turn left

37 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 20.8 miles from Boston, MA, or about 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 41.6 miles or 1h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 20.8 miles or 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Groton, 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 41.6 miles and 1h 2m.

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 US 3 for about 10.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.8 mi from Boston, MA · 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

21 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Boston, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Groton, MA

The final approach into Groton, 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 Groton, MA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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 ~1 min detour Free near mile 1.4

Park Closure: Great Hall of Faneuil Hall

Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions

View on nps.gov

Lowell National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 25.8

View on nps.gov

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 15.8

View on nps.gov

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . 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

View on nps.gov

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour $15

View on nps.gov

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

13 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 2.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.62 one way

$13.24 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$7.20	$14.40
premium	$4.80	$7.86	$15.72
diesel	$5.64	$9.24	$18.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	12.5	$4.37	$2.00
Efficient EV	10.4	$3.64	$1.66
EV Truck/SUV	16.6	$5.82	$2.66

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Boston, MA

Afternoon in Boston on Monday

Local time

3:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Groton, MA

Afternoon in Groton on Monday

Local time

3:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

3 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 2m 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 Groton, MA covers 41.6 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 3, I 495, Boston Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 20.8 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 $6.62 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.

Between Boston, MA and Groton, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro - among others.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Groton, MA to Boston, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

47.2 mi 54m

Explore more options from Boston, MA or browse trips ending in Groton, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Explore maps for Boston, MA or Groton, MA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Boston, MA to Groton, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Groton, MA

National Parks Near This Route

Boston National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Adams National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Boston, MA

Groton, MA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 2m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Groton, MA

More from Boston, MA

More trips to Groton, MA