Origin
Ashby, MA
Late night in Ashby on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashby, MA to Somerville, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
49.6 mi
80 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashby, MA
Ron Lach
Somerville, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 49.6-mile drive from Ashby, MA to Somerville, MA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway, and Cambridge Turnpike (Route 2). With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region, both starting and ending within Massachusetts. Its mixed drive profile means you won't be stuck on a monotonous highway for the entire duration. Consider this a convenient connection between two points in the state, perfect for a quick transit or a leisurely exploration.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Turnpike | 21.5 mi | 29m |
| Captain Isaac Davis Highway | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Concord Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Ashby State Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Fitchburg State Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| John Fitch Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 21.5 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashby, MA and Somerville, MA.
1
Start on Common Road
121 ft
·
10 sec
·
Common Road
2
Turn left onto MA 119
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on MA 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Fitchburg State Road
4
Continue on MA 31
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ashby State Road
5
Enter roundabout onto John Fitch Highway
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
John Fitch Highway
6
Continue on John Fitch Highway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
John Fitch Highway
7
Continue on Coolidge Avenue
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Coolidge Avenue
8
Turn right onto Townsend Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Townsend Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto MA 2A
18 ft
·
3 sec
·
Lunenburg Street
10
Turn right onto Boutelle Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Boutelle Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto Summer Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Summer Street
12
Turn slight right onto Bemis Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bemis Road
13
Turn left onto MA 12
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Water Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 12
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Water Street
15
Continue on MA 12
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
17
Merge onto MA 2
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Concord Turnpike
18
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Turnpike
21
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft
·
4 sec
·
Elm Street
22
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Elm Street
23
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Concord Turnpike
24
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
25
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Highway
26
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
473 ft
·
13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
29
Turn right onto MA 2A
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn left onto Russell Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Russell Street
31
Continue on Cutter Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Cutter Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on Highland Avenue
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Highland Avenue
33
Turn left
163 ft
·
12 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.8 miles from Ashby, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 7.9 and 47.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MA 2A / Lunenburg Street
At end of road, turn left onto MA 2A / Lunenburg Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Summer Street
At end of road, turn left onto Summer Street
Navigation decision point
6
12.9 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
46.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
6
47.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.94 one way
$15.88 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $8.66 | $17.31 |
| premium | $4.82 | $9.42 | $18.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.79
Concord Turnpike
(17.7 mi)
$1.24
Concord Turnpike
(3.7 mi)
$0.26
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
(3.5 mi)
$0.25
Union Turnpike
(0.6 mi)
$0.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Somerville, MA
Late night in Somerville on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive experience on this route, with 52% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 21.5 miles along Concord Turnpike, offering a period of steady travel. As you progress, the road will transition, blending faster highway sections with potentially more localized routes as you approach Somerville. This dynamic means you'll experience varying speeds and driving conditions, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding. It's a practical mix that balances efficiency with a sense of movement through different types of terrain.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.5 mi on Concord Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in near MA 2A / Lunenburg Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles (MA 2A / Lunenburg Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 8.6 miles (Summer Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashby, MA and Somerville, MA, road signs point toward Woburn and Medford.
Woburn
46.8 mi in
|
~1h 13m
Medford
46.9 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via US 3; MA 16
About the Cities
Arriving in Somerville, MA
Full guide →Older Bostonians might still derisively call it "Slummerville", but today that tired old moniker couldn't be further from the truth. Packed with upwardly mobile professionals and longtime residents, Somerville is often voted an "All-America City" and the best-run city in Massachusetts. It would seem civically engaged folks can achieve uncommon results; and Somerville fosters an environment of cooperation like no other. Its 81,000 residents (2020) are quick to enjoy the fruits of their artistry, and you'll find top notch options for dinner, drinks, and dancing all in abundance within Somerville's borders. Lurking just to the south, big brothers Boston and Cambridge provide options and opportunities for many of Somerville's creative class residents.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 49.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.5 miles on Concord Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.79 in tolls one way, starting with Concord Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Somerville, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles (MA 2A / Lunenburg Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 8.6 miles (Summer Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.9 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Minute Man National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Adams National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Somerville, MA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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