The density and viscosity values of the binary mixtures of {poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG400) + methoxybenzene, or + ethoxybenzene} have been measured at T = (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K. From these experimental values, the excess molar volume, apparent specific volume, partial specific volume of solute, partial specific volume of solvent and excess Gibbs free energy of activation have been computed over the entire range of composition at three temperatures. From the experimental data, the thermodynamic functions of activation have been estimated for each binary mixture. The obtained results have been interpreted in light of polymer-solvent interactions and packing effects. The signs of excess molar volume and deviations of excess Gibbs free energy of activation have been used to obtain some information in regard to existence of specific interactions between PEG400 and solvents molecules. The changes in entropy and enthalpy of activation from the initial state to the transition state were also calculated in order to see which one of these functions controls viscous flow process in the studied polymer solutions. The excess molar volume and excess Gibbs free energy of activation values have been adequately fitted to the Redlich-Kister polynomial. Apparent specific volume values were correlated with the suitable equation. The different models proposed for correlating the viscosity of polymer solutions or liquid mixtures (segment-based-Eyring-NRTL, segment-based-Eyring-Wilson, Grunbreg-Nissan, Frenkel, Hind et al., Katti-Chauddhri, Tamura-Kurata, Auslander and McAllister) have also been used to fit the viscosity values. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.