If you are planning a trip from Barre to Cambridge, expect a straightforward 63.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate spending roughly $10 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. Your path will take you through the heart of the Northeast, transitioning from the more rural setting of Barre into the dense urban environment of Cambridge. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to power through the drive in one go or take your time as you navigate between these two Massachusetts locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.8 miles from Barre, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
34 mi
40m
Pleasant Street
6.8 mi
12m
Worcester Road
6.1 mi
11m
Barre Paxton Road
4.5 mi
6m
Grafton Street
3.4 mi
4m
Chandler Street
2.9 mi
4m
Summer Street
1.2 mi
1m
River Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 34 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barre, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on MA 32; MA 122
171 ft·2 sec·Concert Mall
2
Continue on MA 32; MA 122
1.2 mi·1 min·Summer Street
3
Continue on MA 122
6.1 mi·11 min·Worcester Road
4
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
5
Continue on MA 122
3.6 mi·5 min·Barre Paxton Road
6
Continue on MA 122
6.8 mi·12 min·Pleasant Street
7
Turn right onto MA 122
2.9 mi·4 min·Chandler Street
8
Turn left onto Murray Avenue
301 ft·9 sec·Murray Avenue
9
Turn right onto Austin Street
232 ft·6 sec·Austin Street
10
Continue on Myrtle Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Myrtle Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto McGrath Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·McGrath Boulevard
12
Continue on Foster Street
101 ft·2 sec·Foster Street
13
Turn slight right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Franklin Street
14
Turn right onto Harding Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Harding Street
15
Turn left onto Winter Street
326 ft·8 sec·Winter Street
16
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi·41 sec·Grafton Street
17
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
39 ft·0 sec·Grafton Street
18
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi·3 min·Grafton Street
19
Continue on MA 122
0.4 mi·59 sec·Grafton Road
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
22
Merge onto I 90
34 mi·40 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway ParkUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft·6 sec·Cambridge Street
26
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi·2 min·River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Prospect Street
28
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Line Street
31
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth transition into the city, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as the final stretch into Cambridge can be quite busy. Since the drive is relatively short at under two hours, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it best fits your schedule without needing to plan for long-distance fatigue. Keep in mind that while there are no scheduled stops on this 63.7-mile route, keeping a light snack or water in the car will keep you comfortable during the ride. Since you will be spending about $10 on fuel, it is wise to check your levels before leaving Barre to avoid unnecessary detours once you reach the busier roads near your destination. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to your advantage, allowing you to reach Cambridge refreshed and ready for your day.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.8 miles from Barre, MA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 14 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.8 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barre, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barre, MA
This is one driving day of about 63.7 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Barre, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 63.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.1 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
27.1 mi into trip|~46m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
8
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
5
63.1 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|Hampshire Street
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.19 one way
$20.39 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.12
$22.23
premium
$4.82
$12.10
$24.19
diesel
$5.61
$14.06
$28.13
Estimated Tolls: $2.04
Massachusetts Turnpike
(34 mi)$2.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.1
0
$6.69
$3.06
Efficient EV
15.9
0
$5.57
$2.55
EV Truck/SUV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Barre, MA
Morning
in Barre on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Morning
in Cambridge on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Worcester, MA
32 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 34m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 63.7
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 54.9
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 63.7
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 63.7
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 54.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, balancing local roads with faster highway segments. You will spend approximately 53% of your time on highways, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike, Pleasant Street, and Worcester Road to reach your destination. Be prepared for a change in pace, as the route transitions from local surface streets to a more consistent highway flow. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Massachusetts Turnpike, where you will cover 34 miles of highway driving. Whether you are navigating the initial local segments or cruising along the turnpike, the character of the road shifts significantly as you head toward the Greater Boston area.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 26.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 27.1 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 63.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). 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 34 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.04 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts 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 Cambridge, 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 27.1 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Minute Man 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 Cambridge, MA before heading back.
