Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH MSA

Boston ER Wait Times

Note: ER wait times can change quickly. Sometimes an ER may not appear busy to those waiting in the lobby, but there can be a separate entrance for patients who arrive by ambulance.

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Historical Average ER Wait Time

This data comes from CMS emergency department performance data for Jan 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2025. ERcost averages the historical benchmark across ER locations in this metro area.

3 hr 43 min

CMS median ED time, 37 of 41 ER locations

Pediatric ERs

Pediatric ERs in this metro area:Boston Children's HospitalMass General for Children Pediatric Emergency DepartmentSouth Shore Hospital Pediatric Emergency ServiceTufts Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department

Showing 1-5 of 41 ER locations

Showing 1-10 of 41 ER locations

Metrowest Medical CenterVoluntary non-profit - Private

Reported

Wait Time

20 min

Last Updated

Aug 31, 2026, 2:11 AM EDT

Overall rating: 1 star
Source: Patient-reported wait time
Source info: Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.
Historical Benchmark: Historical emergency department benchmark measures
ER volume: medium
Median time spent in ER i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.: 3 hr 47 min
Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.: 3%

View ER Costs

Nashoba Valley Medical CenterProprietary

Reported

Wait Time

30 min

Last Updated

Aug 27, 2026, 8:56 AM EDT

Overall rating: Not available
Source: Patient-reported wait time
Source info: Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.
Historical Benchmark: Historical emergency department benchmark measures
ER volume: data unavailable
Median time spent in ER i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.: data unavailable
Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.: data unavailable

View ER Costs

North Shore Medical Center -Voluntary non-profit - Private

Reported

Wait Time

35 min

Last Updated

Aug 28, 2026, 11:11 AM EDT

Overall rating: 4 stars
Source: Patient-reported wait time
Source info: Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.
Historical Benchmark: Historical emergency department benchmark measures
ER volume: very high
Median time spent in ER i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.: 4 hr 36 min
Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.: 7%

View ER Costs

Umass Memorial Healthcare-Marlborough HospitalVoluntary non-profit - Private

Reported

Wait Time

40 min

Last Updated

Jul 9, 2026, 8:23 PM EDT

Overall rating: 2 stars
Source: Patient-reported wait time
Source info: Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.
Historical Benchmark: Historical emergency department benchmark measures
ER volume: medium
Median time spent in ER i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.: 3 hr 56 min
Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.: 5%

View ER Costs

Lowell General HospitalVoluntary non-profit - Private

Reported

Wait Time

45 min

Last Updated

Jun 7, 2026, 11:43 PM EDT

Overall rating: 2 stars
Source: Patient-reported wait time
Source info: Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.
Historical Benchmark: Historical emergency department benchmark measures
ER volume: very high
Median time spent in ER i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.: 4 hr 22 min
Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.: 9%

View ER Costs

Emergency room wait times by facility
Facility Name	Overall Rating		Last Updated	Historical Benchmark (Jan 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2025)
Facility Name	Overall Rating		Last Updated		i Median time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving.	Left before being seen i Percentage of patients who left the ER before being seen.
Metrowest Medical CenterVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	1 star	20 min Not a live wait estimate	Aug 31, 2026, 2:11 AM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	medium	3 hr 47 min	3%
Nashoba Valley Medical CenterProprietaryView ER Costs	Not available	30 min Not a live wait estimate	Aug 27, 2026, 8:56 AM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	data unavailable	data unavailable	data unavailable
North Shore Medical Center -Voluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	4 stars	35 min Not a live wait estimate	Aug 28, 2026, 11:11 AM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	very high	4 hr 36 min	7%
Umass Memorial Healthcare-Marlborough HospitalVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	2 stars	40 min Not a live wait estimate	Jul 9, 2026, 8:23 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	medium	3 hr 56 min	5%
Lowell General HospitalVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	2 stars	45 min Not a live wait estimate	Jun 7, 2026, 11:43 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	very high	4 hr 22 min	9%
Winchester HospitalVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	3 stars	50 min Not a live wait estimate	Jun 10, 2026, 2:28 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	high	3 hr 49 min	3%
Emerson Hospital -Voluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	3 stars	60 min Not a live wait estimate	Aug 28, 2026, 3:02 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	medium	3 hr 30 min	2%
Anna Jaques HospitalVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	3 stars	70 min Not a live wait estimate	Jun 2, 2026, 2:23 AM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	low	3 hr 12 min	23%
Lawrence General HospitalVoluntary non-profit - PrivateView ER Costs	3 stars	70 min Not a live wait estimate	Jul 14, 2026, 11:26 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	very high	4 hr 5 min	5%
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - MiltonGovernment - FederalView ER Costs	4 stars	75 min Not a live wait estimate	Jul 26, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT Patient-reported arrival-to-first-seen time. Not verified by a hospital and not a measure of total ER visit time.	medium	3 hr 59 min	4%

Showing 1-10 of 41 ER locations

Data Sources: Live wait-time values and recent patient reports are compiled from hospital-published sources, patient submissions, and verified updates. Historical data represents CMS-audited annual performance benchmarks and is not a live estimate of current ER volume. Hospital ownership labels and hospital overall ratings come from the CMS Hospital General Information dataset. CMS ratings are a broad summary, not a perfect measure of whether a hospital is best for a specific service.

Recent Patient Reports

Patient reports are submitted by site visitors. Wait times can change quickly and do not represent total ER visit time.

METROWEST MEDICAL CENTER

20 min wait

Patient-reported

Arrival date and time: Aug 31, 2026, 1:51 AM EDT
Seen date and time: Aug 31, 2026, 2:11 AM EDT

EMERSON HOSPITAL -

60 min wait

Patient-reported

Arrival date and time: Aug 28, 2026, 2:02 PM EDT
Seen date and time: Aug 28, 2026, 3:02 PM EDT

Alternatives to the ER

Call 911 or go to the ER for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing trouble, major injury, severe allergic reaction, or any symptom that may be life-threatening.

For non-emergency symptoms, these options can help you get guidance and decide whether home care, urgent care, or a trip to the ER is the right call.

Call Your Insurer's free 24/7 Nurse Line

Many insurance plans include a free 24/7 nurse line where a registered nurse can help you weigh your symptoms and figure out the right next step.

See major insurance nurse line numbers

Use 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care

24/7 virtual urgent care lets you see a provider from home, often in minutes, without waiting room time or an ER bill. Self-pay rates start as low as $59 per visit, and many plans cover it for free.

See virtual urgent care options

Nearby Supported Metro Areas

Providence ER wait times