Published August 28, 2025

Which Boston Suburbs Have the Best Commute to Downtown?

Written by Emily Wangia

Boston Red Line train passing alongside cars during morning commute with city skyline in the background

Choosing a Boston suburb often comes down to one thing: how fast you can get to work. We pulled 8 AM rush hour times from Google Maps for popular suburbs and compared both public transit and driving to Downtown Crossing. Your exact time will vary based on where you live in each town and how close you are to a T stop or highway entrance.

How to use this guide

Times below reflect typical 8 AM weekday travel, not best case.
Transit is often more consistent than driving during peak hours.
If you want live, block-by-block advice, we can help you compare areas.

Quick Compare: 8 AM Commute Times to Downtown Crossing

Suburb	Transit time	Drive time
Cambridge	~17 min (Red Line)	~16–28 min
Somerville	~19 min (Red Line from Davis)	~16–35 min
Brookline	~34 min (Green Line D)	~20–40 min
Medford	~27 min (Lowell Line to Orange)	~20–40 min
Newton	~52 min (Green Line D)	~22–40 min
Arlington	~44–47 min (bus to Red or Orange)	~28–55 min
Quincy	~23 min (Red Line)	~28–55 min
Winthrop	~37 min (bus to Blue Line)	~24–50 min

Source: Google Maps, depart at 8:00 AM on a weekday to Downtown Crossing. Times are typical ranges and will vary.

Best Suburbs for a Fast Commute, With Local Insights

Cambridge

Commute Red Line direct to Downtown Crossing in about 17 minutes from many stations.
Price snapshot Condos often trade in the high 900s to low 1Ms. Single family homes are typically well above 1.7M. Estimates only.
Schools Cambridge Public Schools offer diverse programs and strong arts and STEM pathways. District data: DESE profiles.
Local gem Broadsheet Coffee Roasters near Harvard.

Somerville

Commute ~19 minutes from Davis on the Red Line. GLX also added options across the city.
Price snapshot Condos commonly around the 900s. Single family homes often 1.2M to 1.4M. Estimates only.
Schools New Somerville High campus and expanding CTE offerings. See DESE.
Local gem Aeronaut Brewing for live music and food pop ups.

Brookline

Commute ~34 minutes on the Green Line D from Reservoir. Driving can be 20 to 40 minutes depending on Storrow.
Price snapshot Condos often near 1M to 1.2M. Single family homes frequently 2M plus. Estimates only.
Schools Brookline is widely regarded for strong academics. Verify details on DESE.
Local gem Coolidge Corner Theatre.

Medford

Commute ~27 minutes via Lowell Line to the Orange Line. Driving often 20 to 40 minutes via I‑93.
Price snapshot Many single family homes sell near the 900s. Condos often mid 600s to 700s. Estimates only.
Schools Medford Public Schools with CTE pathways at Medford High. See DESE.
Local gem Mystic River Reservation paths and views.

Newton

Commute ~22 to 40 minutes by car via the Pike. Green Line D takes about 52 minutes to downtown.
Price snapshot Single family homes commonly 1.6M to 1.9M. Condos near 900k to 1.1M. Estimates only.
Schools Newton Public Schools are consistently among the top performers in the state. Check DESE.
Local gem Crystal Lake for a summer swim.

Arlington

Commute ~44 to 47 minutes using bus to the Red or Orange Line. Driving 28 to 55 minutes depending on I‑93 and surface streets.
Price snapshot Single family homes often 1.0M to 1.2M. Condos around 700k to 800k. Estimates only.
Schools New Arlington High campus and well regarded K‑5 options. Verify on DESE.
Local gem Minuteman Bikeway for easy cycling into Cambridge and Lexington.

Quincy

Commute ~23 minutes on the Red Line from Quincy Center. Driving typically 28 to 55 minutes on I‑93.
Price snapshot Single family homes often 800k to mid 900s. Condos around 500k to 650k. Estimates only.
Schools Two high schools with expanding career programs. See DESE.
Local gem Marina Bay Boardwalk.

Winthrop

Commute ~37 minutes using bus to the Blue Line. Driving 24 to 50 minutes via MA‑1A.
Price snapshot Single family homes often 650k to 750k. Condos around 400k to 550k. Estimates only.
Schools Small coastal district with a tight knit community. Verify details on DESE.
Local gem Deer Island HarborWalk for skyline views.

Important Notes About Commute Times

Where you live inside each town matters. Being near a T stop or highway on‑ramp can change your commute by 10 to 20 minutes.
Transit reliability and traffic conditions vary by season and day of week.
Use the MBTA trip planner and traffic view when scheduling: MBTA schedules and system map.

Ready to Weigh Price, Commute, and Lifestyle?

Whatever your criteria price, commute, schools, neighborhood feel our team helps you compare trade offs and pick the right fit. Start browsing homes in your target town:

Book a free Buyer Consultation and we will tailor commute options to the exact block and train stop that fit your life.

Disclaimer Commute times and pricing are time sensitive and change with market conditions, service updates, and traffic patterns. The estimates above are based on Google Maps typical 8 AM weekday ranges and informal market observations at the time of writing. Always confirm current data before making decisions.