Compare: New York→Boston (306 km) vs New York→Washington (328 km). New York → Boston wins by 22 km (7%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
306 km
190 miles · Flight: ~53 min · Drive: ~4h 58min
✓ Shorter route
328 km
204 miles · Flight: ~55 min · Drive: ~5h 20min
Difference: 22 km (7%) · Flight time difference: ~2 min
New York → Boston is the shorter route at 306 km, which is 22 km (7%) shorter than New York → Washington. You would save approximately 2 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | New York → Boston | New York → Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 306 | 328 |
| Distance (miles) | 190 | 204 |
| Flight time | ~53 min | ~55 min |
| Driving time | ~4h 58min | ~5h 20min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~398 km | ~426 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
The New York to Boston route covers 306 km (190 miles), staying within North America. New York (population: 8,336,817) is located in Northeast, United States, while Boston (population: 675,647) is in Northeast, United States.
The New York to Washington route covers 328 km (204 miles), remaining within North America. New York (population: 8,336,817) is in Northeast, United States, and Washington (population: 689,545) is in Northeast, United States.
Flying from New York to Boston takes approximately 53 min, while New York to Washington takes 55 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 4h 58min for the first route and 5h 20min for the second.
Since both routes depart from New York, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Boston and Washington as a destination.
The 22 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 398 km and 426 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 28 km of driving.
Boston (United States) has a population of 675,647 and is located in the Northeast region of North America. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Washington (United States) has a population of 689,545 and is situated in Northeast, North America. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose New York → Boston if minimizing travel distance and flight time is your priority. The 22 km difference means a modest saving in fuel, time, and potentially cost. Choose New York → Washington if the destination itself is more important than the journey length.
Boston is closer at 306 km, which is 22 km (7%) shorter.
306 km (190 miles). Flight: ~53 min.
328 km (204 miles). Flight: ~55 min.
Flying to Boston is faster at ~53 min, saving about 2 min compared to Washington.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 7, 2026.