Traveling from Quincy to Burlington covers a straightforward 22.5-mile distance that typically takes about 37 minutes. Because this trip is short, you can easily complete it as a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate the Northeast landscape using the Southeast Expressway, the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, and I-93. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should be sufficient for this direct transit. This route is ideal for those looking to move efficiently between these two Massachusetts locations without the need for multiple stops. It offers a practical way to connect these areas while keeping your travel time well under an hour.
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
11.3 miles from Quincy, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 19m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving profile as you transition between urban expressways and standard interstate travel. With a highway share of 47 percent, you will spend nearly half of your time on major thoroughfares, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 3.3 miles on the Southeast Expressway. The road character shifts from the initial expressway segments into the flow of I-93, providing a consistent driving experience. While you will encounter varying traffic patterns, the road remains functional and direct. You won't face long, monotonous stretches, as the drive balances high-speed highway segments with the necessary transitions required to reach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southeast Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
217 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
284 ft
Total Descent
101 ft
Highest Point
217 ft
~22.5 mi in
Elevation Range
222 ft
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 0.1 miles in near Hancock Street.
Route Complexity9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 22.5 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 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hancock Street
Turn right onto Hancock Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Merge onto MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|MA 3A
Take the exit onto MA 3A toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
7
10.2 mi into trip|~18m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 93 North: Concord NH
8
13.3 mi into trip|~22m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Quincy, MA to Burlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Arlington along the way.
Arlington
13.3 mi in|~22m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southeast Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
I 93
3.1 mi
4m
Cambridge Street
2.8 mi
4m
Newport Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Cambridge Road
2 mi
2m
Winthrop Street
1.4 mi
2m
Mystic Valley Parkway
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Southeast Expressway
— 3.3 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, MA and Burlington, MA.
1
Start on Faxon Avenue
362 ft·17 sec·Faxon Avenue
2
Turn right onto Coddington Street
265 ft·7 sec·Coddington Street
3
Turn right onto Hancock Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Hancock Street
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Adams Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Adams Street
5
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn slight left onto MA 3A
0.3 mi·33 sec·Hancock Street
7
Continue on MA 3A
0.2 mi·19 sec·Neponset Avenue
8
Merge onto MA 3A
247 ft·6 sec·William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Take the exit onto MA 3A
0.3 mi·34 sec·MA 3A
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
10
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.3 mi·4 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
3.1 mi·4 min·I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord NHUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on MA 16
1.1 mi·2 min·Mystic Valley Parkway
15
Turn right onto MA 38
0.1 mi·22 sec·Winthrop Street
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street
117 ft·2 sec·Winthrop Street
17
Continue on Winthrop Street
1.3 mi·1 min·Winthrop Street
18
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi·46 sec·Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street
94 ft·1 sec·Bacon Street
20
Continue on Bacon Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Bacon Street
21
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Church Street
22
Turn right onto US 3
1.1 mi·1 min·Cambridge Street
23
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·2 min·Cambridge Road
24
Continue on US 3
0.6 mi·47 sec·Cambridge Street
25
Continue on MA 3A
1.1 mi·2 min·Cambridge Street
26
Turn right
33 ft·7 sec
27
Turn left
93 ft·6 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 37-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily manage the entire 22.5-mile journey in a single session, as there are no required stops along the way. Be mindful that because the route relies heavily on major expressways, traffic volume can fluctuate, so check current conditions before you head out. With fuel costs estimated at just $4, keep a small amount of cash or a card handy for quick refueling if needed. Use the short duration of this trip to your advantage by planning your arrival in Burlington for a time that avoids peak congestion on I-93.
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 11.3 miles from Quincy, MA, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.3 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 22.5 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.3 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Quincy, 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 Quincy, MA
This is one driving day of about 22.5 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Quincy, 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 Southeast Expressway for about 3.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.3 mi from Quincy, MA
· 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 11.3 miles from Quincy, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Burlington, MA
The final approach into Burlington, 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 Burlington, 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.
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...
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.
. . . 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...
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 21.7
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 22.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.60 one way
$7.20 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg8 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$3.93
$7.85
premium
$4.82
$4.27
$8.54
diesel
$5.61
$4.97
$9.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 63% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
6.8
0
$2.36
$1.08
Efficient EV
5.6
0
$1.97
$0.90
EV Truck/SUV
9
0
$3.15
$1.44
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 2 days ago
Origin
Quincy, MA
Afternoon
in Quincy on Tuesday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Sunny
E 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Burlington, MA
Afternoon
in Burlington on Tuesday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny
S 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
11 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
4 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
37m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Quincy, MA to Burlington, MA covers 22.5 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southeast Expressway, John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, I 93. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.3 miles from Quincy, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.60 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 16 significant decision points across 22.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Quincy, MA to Burlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Arlington along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from -5 ft to 217 ft elevation with about 284 ft of total climbing.
