Evening traffic on I-93 · Photo: Robbie Shade · CC BY 2.0
How Early to Leave the South Shore for a Flight at Logan
Drive times to Logan from Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell, and the traffic and security rules to plan around.
4 min read
For a domestic flight from Boston Logan, plan to be at the terminal about two hours before departure, and three hours for an international flight. From the South Shore, that usually means leaving home two and a half to three and a half hours before takeoff, depending on your town, the time of day and the day of the week.
The drive itself is short on paper. The traffic between the South Shore and the Ted Williams Tunnel is what makes the difference. This guide assumes you go by car; for the ferry, the train and the bus, see every way to get from the South Shore to Logan.
Drive times to Logan from each South Shore town
These are typical distances and drive times from each town center to Logan in light traffic, the kind you get at 5 a.m. or late in the evening. Your own address can add or take off a few minutes.
| From | Distance to Logan | Light traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Braintree | about 15 miles | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Weymouth | about 18 miles | 30 to 35 minutes |
| Hingham | about 18 miles | 35 to 40 minutes |
| Hull | about 22 miles | 40 to 45 minutes |
| Cohasset | about 22 miles | 40 to 45 minutes |
| Norwell | about 27 miles | 40 to 45 minutes |
| Scituate | about 32 miles | 50 to 55 minutes |
At weekday rush hour, the same trips can take half an hour longer or more. Friday afternoons, holiday weekends and snowy mornings are worse.
The three bottlenecks between you and Logan
Route 3 and Route 3A
From Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell, the trip starts on two-lane roads and Route 3. Morning traffic builds early here because so many commuters head for the same highway at the same time.
The Braintree Split
Route 3 and I-93 meet at the Braintree Split, one of the slowest interchanges in the state at rush hour. It is the reason a 15-mile trip from Braintree can still take an hour on a bad afternoon.
The Southeast Expressway and the tunnel
North of the Split, I-93 becomes the Southeast Expressway, then dives under downtown Boston. The airport exit leads into the Ted Williams Tunnel and on to the terminals. An accident or a lane closure anywhere along this stretch slows everything behind it.
How much time to allow at the airport
Once you reach the curb, you still have to check bags and clear security. As a rule of thumb:
- Domestic flights: be at the terminal two hours before departure.
- International flights: three hours before departure.
- Holidays and school vacation weeks: add another 30 minutes.
- Checked bags: your airline closes bag drop well before boarding, often 45 minutes or more before an international departure. Check your airline's cut-off time.
TSA PreCheck and a carry-on can shorten the wait inside, but they don't change how long it takes to get from Scituate to the tunnel.
Working backward from your flight
Here is how we plan an early pickup, using a 7:30 a.m. domestic flight from Hingham as an example:
- Be at the terminal by 5:30 a.m., two hours before departure.
- Allow 35 to 40 minutes for the drive at that hour, when traffic is light.
- Add a cushion of 15 to 20 minutes for loading bags and the unexpected.
- Pickup at about 4:30 a.m.
The same flight at 5:30 p.m. on a Friday needs a much earlier pickup, because the drive happens in the evening rush. When you book, tell us your flight time and we will suggest a pickup time that fits.
Coming home: when to schedule your pickup
For arrivals, the timing works the other way. Nobody can control how long it takes the plane to reach the gate or your bags to reach the carousel. Add your flight number when you book online so we know which flight to expect, and read how a Logan pickup works for what to do once you land.
Frequently asked questions
Is two hours before a domestic flight really necessary at Logan?
It is the safe standard. On a quiet weekday with no bags to check, you may wait less. On a Sunday evening at the end of a school vacation week, you will be glad you left early.
What is the worst time to drive to Logan from the South Shore?
Weekday mornings from about 6:30 to 9:30 and afternoons from about 3:30 to 7 are the slowest, along with Friday afternoons in summer. A winter storm can make any hour slow. Read our tips for traveling in nor'easter season.
Should I book the ride home at the same time?
It helps. Book both directions together and add the return flight number, so the ride home is in place before you leave. If your return changes while you are away, call us and we move the pickup.
