Avoiding Tolls When Driving To Logan Airport

Boston is a tricky city to navigate, especially for visitors. The fastest way to travel from the city centre to Logan Airport is via highway 1A or I-90. These routes take around 10 minutes but come with around $2.75 in tolls each way. It is possible to avoid these tolls by taking a detour via Charlestown Bridge or I-93, which takes 20-25 minutes over a distance of 7 miles. The directions for leaving Logan Airport by car are similar, with a few minor changes. The easiest and fastest way to avoid toll roads between Boston and the airport is to take public transportation, such as the SL1 bus line, the Massport Shuttle, subway or ferry.

Take the SL1 bus to Silver Line Way, then walk to Budget Car Rental

If you're looking to avoid tolls when leaving Logan Airport, one option is to take the SL1 bus to Silver Line Way and then walk to your rental car pickup location at Budget Car Rental. Here's a detailed guide on how to do that:

Take the SL1 Bus to Silver Line Way:

When you arrive at Logan Airport, make your way to the SL1 bus stop. The SL1 bus departs from every terminal at the airport and takes you directly to Silver Line Way without having to change buses. The SL1 bus is a convenient and affordable option, with trips from the airport being free. At the airport, the SL1 bus stops are located on the arrivals level, along the curb directly outside of the baggage claim area. Look for the large Silver Line signs hanging at the designated pick-up points. The SL1 bus usually departs every 10 minutes, so you won't have to wait long.

Walking to Budget Car Rental:

Once you arrive at Silver Line Way, you can walk to the Budget Car Rental location to pick up your rental car. The distance between Silver Line Way and Budget Car Rental is not far, and walking will take you less than 10 minutes. When you get off the SL1 bus, simply follow signs or use a map on your phone to guide you to the Budget Car Rental location. Make sure you have your rental car confirmation and necessary documents with you to expedite the process.

Advantages of Taking the SL1 Bus:

Taking the SL1 bus is a great way to avoid tolls when leaving Logan Airport. It offers a direct connection between the airport and Silver Line Way, and you won't have to worry about navigating toll roads or paying any tolls. Additionally, the SL1 bus is accessible, with wheelchair ramps and securement spaces, as well as luggage racks for your convenience. The trip from the airport to Silver Line Way is relatively quick, taking around 15 minutes, and you can enjoy a stress-free journey without the hassle of driving in unfamiliar areas.

Things to Consider:

While taking the SL1 bus is a convenient option, it may be important to consider the limitations. The SL1 bus can sometimes be crowded, especially during peak travel times, and there might be limited space for luggage. If you have a lot of baggage or large items, it might be a bit cramped. Additionally, the SL1 bus operates on a set schedule, and you may need to plan your trip accordingly to ensure you don't miss the bus.

By following these instructions, you can easily avoid tolls when leaving Logan Airport by taking the SL1 bus to Silver Line Way and then walking to your rental car pickup location at Budget Car Rental. This option offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative to driving, allowing you to start your journey in a hassle-free manner.

Drive via Chelsea and Everett, cross the river via Alford St

If you want to avoid tolls when travelling to or from Logan Airport, you can drive via Chelsea and Everett, crossing the river via Alford St. This route will add 20 minutes to your drive, but it will save you the $2.75 toll each way.

Driving to Logan Airport:

• Take the Tobin Memorial Bridge, which spans the Mystic River, to get to Chelsea, MA.
• From Chelsea, continue on to Everett.
• In Everett, get on Alford Street.
• Turn right onto Bow Street.
• Turn right onto Beacham Street and stay on this road for 1 mile.
• Merge onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Marginal Street.
• Take a sharp right onto Chelsea Street.
• Turn left onto Curtis Street.
• Turn right onto MA-1A South.
• Continue onto I-90 West.
• Use the right two lanes to exit toward Logan Airport.

Driving from Logan Airport:

• From Airport Road, get on MA-1A South for about a mile.
• Keep right to follow signs for Boston, then take a slight left onto George R. Visconti Road.
• Continue onto Porter Street.
• Turn right onto Meridian Street.
• Continue via Pearl Street onto the Andrew McArdle Bridge.
• Turn left onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Beacham Street.
• Turn left onto Robin Street.
• Take a right onto Dexter Street.
• Turn left onto Alford Street.
• From Alford Street, take a slight left onto Rutherford Avenue and stay on this road for 1.5 miles.
• Continue onto North Washington Street, which will take you over the Charlestown Bridge and back into the city.

Note that this route involves a total distance of about 7 miles, and the drive will take around 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic.

Take the Charlestown Bridge

If you want to avoid tolls when travelling to or from Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, one option is to take the Charlestown Bridge. This route takes around 20 minutes and covers a distance of 7 miles. Here are detailed instructions on how to take the Charlestown Bridge:

Getting to Logan Airport via the Charlestown Bridge:

• Take North Washington Street to cross the Charlestown towards Thompson Square/Bunker Hill.
• Continue onto Rutherford Avenue for 1.1 miles.
• Merge onto Alford Street.
• Turn right onto Bow Street.
• Turn right onto Beacham Street and stay on this road for 1 mile.
• Merge onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Marginal Street.
• Take a sharp right onto Chelsea Street.
• Turn left onto Curtis Street.
• Turn right onto MA-1A South.
• Continue onto I-90 West.
• Use the right two lanes to exit towards Logan Airport.

Leaving Logan Airport via the Charlestown Bridge:

• From Airport Road, get on MA-1A South for about a mile.
• Keep right to follow signs for Boston, then take a slight left onto George R. Visconti Road.
• Continue onto Porter Street.
• Turn right onto Meridian Street.
• Continue via Pearl Street onto the Andrew McArdle Bridge.
• Turn left onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Beacham Street.
• Turn left onto Robin Street.
• Take a right onto Dexter Street.
• Turn left onto Alford Street.
• From Alford Street, take a slight left onto Rutherford Avenue for 1.5 miles.
• Continue onto North Washington Street to take the Charlestown Bridge back into the city.

Take I-93

If you want to avoid tolls when travelling to or from Logan Airport, you can take I-93. This route takes between 20 and 30 minutes over a distance of 7 miles.

• Get on the I-93 North ramp heading toward Concord, New Hampshire, and merge onto I-93 for 1.4 miles.
• Take exit 29 toward MA-28/MA-38, heading toward Somerville/Medford.
• Keep right to continue following signs for MA-28 North, and merge onto MA-28 North/Fellsway.
• Take a right onto Revere Beach Parkway and stay there for 1.5 miles.
• Turn right onto 2nd Street for 1.2 miles.
• Turn right onto Winnisimmet Street.
• Turn left onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Marginal Street.
• Take a sharp right onto Chelsea Street.
• Turn left onto Curtis Street.
• Turn right onto MA-1A South.
• Continue onto I-90 West.
• Use the right two lanes to exit toward Logan Airport.
• From Airport Road, get on MA-1A South for about a mile.
• Keep right to follow signs for Boston, then take a slight left onto George R. Visconti Road.
• Continue onto Porter Street.
• Turn right onto Meridian Street.
• Continue via Pearl Street onto the Andrew McArdle Bridge.
• Turn left onto Williams Street.
• Continue onto Beacham Street.
• Turn left onto Robin Street.
• Take a right onto Dexter Street.
• Turn left onto Alford Street.
• From Alford Street, keep right to reach the traffic circle.
• Take the 1st exit at the traffic circle onto Main Street.
• Continue onto Mystic Avenue.
• Continue onto Bailey Road.
• Turn left onto the I-93 South ramp.
• Keep left to follow signs for I-93 South toward Boston.
• Merge onto I-93 South for 2.3 miles to get back into the city.

Use public transportation

Boston is known to be a tricky city to navigate, especially for visitors. The fastest way to get from the city center to Logan Airport is via highway 1A or I-90, but these routes come with tolls. The easiest and fastest way to avoid tolls is to take public transportation. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides several public transportation services to and from Boston Logan, including the Blue Line, the Silver Line 1 (SL1), and the Water Ferry.

By bus

The SL1 bus line from downtown Boston drops off at every airport terminal. The bus departs every 10 minutes from South Station and makes four stops between there and the airport. The total trip takes about 15 minutes. The SL1 bus is free from the airport to downtown Boston. If you're catching the bus to Logan Airport from the Red Line (subway), the transfer is free.

By shuttle/subway

The Massport Shuttle picks up and drops off at every Logan Airport terminal, and it's completely free. This shuttle takes passengers to Airport Station, where they can connect to the Blue Line (subway). The Blue Line connects to the Orange Line at State Street Station and to the Green Line at Government Center Station. The Blue Line is a great route to Back Bay, Downtown Boston, Fenway Park, Boston University, Northeastern University, Boston College, Brookline, the Longwood Medical Area, Newton, and North Station.

By shuttle/ferry

Commuter ferries run between the Logan Airport dock and Boston every day. The free Massport Shuttle also provides rides between every airport terminal and the Logan Airport dock. The MBTA offers year-round water ferry service between Boston Logan's Water Transportation Dock and Boston's Long Wharf, and Hull and Hingham on the South Shore. Passengers can take the free On-Airport Shuttle (Route 66) to and from the Water Transportation Dock and the terminals.

Frequently asked questions