I-290 West Traffic in Boston

As of 1:45 am EST, I-290 West in the Boston area is averaging 62 mph across 8 sensors, about normal for this time.

Is I-290 West moving right now?

Yes. No stretch of I-290 West in Boston is under 40 mph right now (as of 1:45 am EST).

Best time to drive I-290 West

Traffic is usually worst on Friday around 4 pm (about 34 mph). On weekdays the morning slowdown peaks around 10 am (63 mph on Tuesdays) and the evening slowdown around 4 pm (34 mph on Fridays). Midday (10 am to 2 pm) averages 61 mph. On weekends it is slowest on Sundays around 12 pm (55 mph).

Typical average speed (mph) on I-290 West in Boston, by day and hour (local time)
Day	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	67	67	66	64	63	63	63	61	62	57	49	46	47	63	65	65	65
Tue	66	66	66	64	64	63	62	61	62	55	47	42	43	59	65	65	65
Wed	67	67	66	63	63	63	62	62	62	56	46	42	41	57	64	65	65
Thu	66	67	66	65	64	63	62	62	61	54	46	41	41	57	65	65	65
Fri	67	67	66	65	64	64	59	50	47	41	37	34	36	48	61	65	65
Sat	66	69	70	69	68	63	58	57	58	62	62	65	66	67	67	66	67
Sun	66	68	70	70	69	68	62	55	57	63	64	65	66	67	67	66	66

Averages of every 5-minute reading we have recorded at this time of the week. Colors match the live map.

Questions

When is traffic worst on I-290 West in Boston?

Traffic on I-290 West is usually worst on Friday around 4 pm (about 34 mph).

What is the best time to drive I-290 West in Boston?

On weekdays, avoid around 10 am (63 mph on Tuesdays) and around 4 pm (34 mph on Fridays). Midday (10 am to 2 pm) averages 61 mph, and early mornings and late evenings are fastest.

Is I-290 West busy right now?

As of 1:45 am EST, I-290 West in the Boston area is averaging 62 mph across 8 sensors, about normal for this time.

Drives that use I-290 West

Best times to leave for these trips, from typical traffic on I-290 West and the roads around it:

Marlborough to Worcester · Acton to Worcester · Westford to Worcester · Billerica to Worcester · Chelmsford to Worcester · Wakefield to Worcester · Tewksbury to Worcester · Malden to Worcester · Reading to Worcester · Lawrence to Worcester

Plan ahead: Boston traffic tomorrow · Traffic estimator

Other freeways in Boston

US-1 South · MA-3 North · MA-3 South · US-3 South · MA-24 North · I-90 East · I-90 West · I-93 North · I-93 South · I-95 North · I-95 South · I-290 East · I-495 North · I-495 South

Day	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	67	67	66	64	63	63	63	61	62	57	49	46	47	63	65	65	65
Tue	66	66	66	64	64	63	62	61	62	55	47	42	43	59	65	65	65
Wed	67	67	66	63	63	63	62	62	62	56	46	42	41	57	64	65	65
Thu	66	67	66	65	64	63	62	62	61	54	46	41	41	57	65	65	65
Fri	67	67	66	65	64	64	59	50	47	41	37	34	36	48	61	65	65
Sat	66	69	70	69	68	63	58	57	58	62	62	65	66	67	67	66	67
Sun	66	68	70	70	69	68	62	55	57	63	64	65	66	67	67	66	66

Day	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	67	67	66	64	63	63	63	61	62	57	49	46	47	63	65	65	65
Tue	66	66	66	64	64	63	62	61	62	55	47	42	43	59	65	65	65
Wed	67	67	66	63	63	63	62	62	62	56	46	42	41	57	64	65	65
Thu	66	67	66	65	64	63	62	62	61	54	46	41	41	57	65	65	65
Fri	67	67	66	65	64	64	59	50	47	41	37	34	36	48	61	65	65
Sat	66	69	70	69	68	63	58	57	58	62	62	65	66	67	67	66	67
Sun	66	68	70	70	69	68	62	55	57	63	64	65	66	67	67	66	66

Day	5am	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm	9pm
Mon	67	67	66	64	63	63	63	61	62	57	49	46	47	63	65	65	65
Tue	66	66	66	64	64	63	62	61	62	55	47	42	43	59	65	65	65
Wed	67	67	66	63	63	63	62	62	62	56	46	42	41	57	64	65	65
Thu	66	67	66	65	64	63	62	62	61	54	46	41	41	57	65	65	65
Fri	67	67	66	65	64	64	59	50	47	41	37	34	36	48	61	65	65
Sat	66	69	70	69	68	63	58	57	58	62	62	65	66	67	67	66	67
Sun	66	68	70	70	69	68	62	55	57	63	64	65	66	67	67	66	66