Departures · Timing guide
When to leave for Logan Airport
The right pickup time depends on three things: how far you are from the airport, the traffic at that hour, and how early your airline wants you at the terminal. Here is how we plan it with customers every day.
- Domestic
- Arrive 2 h early
- International
- Arrive 3 h early
- Worst traffic
- Weekday 7–9 am
- Also busy
- Fri 2–7 pm
How early should I leave for Logan Airport?
Plan to reach the terminal about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, then add the drive time. From most suburbs within 20 miles, that means leaving 2.5 to 3 hours before a domestic departure, and 30 to 45 minutes earlier on weekday mornings or Friday afternoons.
Pickup times we recommend
| Distance from Logan | Typical drive | Leave this long before a domestic flight |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Boston, Cambridge | 15–25 min | About 2 h 30 min |
| Inner suburbs (Newton, Quincy, Lexington) | 25–40 min | About 2 h 45 min |
| Outer suburbs (Framingham, Andover, Plymouth) | 40–60 min | About 3 h 15 min |
| Worcester, Cape Cod, South Coast | 60–100 min | 3 h 30 min to 4 h |
For international departures add about an hour. For a 6 am flight we often pick up at 3 or 3:30 am: the roads are empty, but security lines open early.
Traffic patterns to plan around
- Weekday mornings, roughly 6:30 to 9:30, on I-93 from the south and north and on the Mass Pike from the west
- Friday afternoons and the start of school holidays, when the tunnels back up
- Summer weekends to and from Cape Cod, especially on Route 3 and at the Sagamore Bridge
- Red Sox home games and big events at TD Garden, which slow traffic near downtown
Why a booked car makes departures easier
Your chauffeur arrives at the time you set, loads the bags and drops you at the right door on the departures level. No parking garage, no shuttle from the economy lot, and no surge pricing at 4 am.
Common questions
What time should I book my pickup for a 7 am flight?
From 20 miles out, a 4:15 am pickup gives a comfortable margin for a domestic flight. We are happy to suggest a time when you book.
Which level is departures at Logan?
Departures are on the upper level at every terminal. Your chauffeur drops you at the door for your airline.
What if traffic is unexpectedly heavy?
Chauffeurs check live traffic before leaving and choose the fastest route, including the Ted Williams or Sumner Tunnel depending on conditions.