Origin
Cambridge, MA
Late night in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, MA to Cotuit, 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 44m
Distance
70 mi
113 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cotuit, MA
Italo Melo
Trip Overview
This 70-mile drive from Cambridge, MA, to Cotuit, MA, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. The route primarily utilizes MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway, with a significant portion on the Southeast Expressway, making about 60% of the journey highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this trip is quite economical for a single day's excursion. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, offering a familiar travel environment. This drive is straightforward, ideal for a quick getaway without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35 miles from Cambridge, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3 | 31.4 mi | 40m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Southeast Expressway | 8 mi | 10m |
| Cotuit Road | 4.7 mi | 11m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 31.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and Cotuit, MA.
1
Start on Leonard Avenue
267 ft
·
16 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
2
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Merge onto MA 28
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Monsignor O'Brien Highway
5
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
MA 3
Toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport
7
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi
·
39 min
·
MA 3
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
11
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
12
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
13
Continue on US 6
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 59
Toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
15
Keep slight right at fork
153 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn straight onto MA 130
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Forestdale Road
17
Turn left onto Cotuit Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Cotuit Road
18
Continue on Sandwich Cotuit Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sandwich Cotuit Road
19
Continue on Cotuit Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Cotuit Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Cotuit Road
76 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cotuit Road
21
Continue on Cotuit Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Cotuit Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto MA 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
23
Continue on MA 130
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Cotuit Road
24
Turn left onto MA 28
360 ft
·
10 sec
·
Falmouth Road
25
Turn right onto Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
26
Turn right onto School Street
416 ft
·
13 sec
·
School Street
27
Turn left
208 ft
·
15 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the modest 1 hour and 44-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart Cambridge at your convenience, perhaps aiming to miss the worst of peak traffic by leaving mid-morning or early afternoon. There are no specific stops recommended in the data, so you have the flexibility to make spontaneous breaks or push through to Cotuit directly. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the $11 estimated cost suggests a relatively efficient journey. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on the Southeast Expressway, especially during traditional commuting hours, which could extend your travel time beyond the estimated 1 hour and 44 minutes.
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 35 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cotuit, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cambridge, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cambridge, MA
This is one driving day of about 70 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Cambridge, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 31.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35 miles from Cambridge, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 60.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
MA 3
Take the exit onto MA 3 toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
60.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59
Toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.20 one way
$22.41 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.22 | $24.43 |
| premium | $4.82 | $13.29 | $26.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.46 | $30.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| Efficient EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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
Cotuit, MA
Late night in Cotuit on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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.
Road read
1h 44m 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, blending efficient highway travel with some potentially less direct road segments. Roughly 60% of the drive will be on highways, including MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway, which generally allow for steady progress. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 31.4 miles on MA 3, providing a good opportunity to settle in. As you move from the urban outskirts of Cambridge towards the Cape Cod region, the character of the drive may subtly shift, though the main roads keep the pace relatively consistent.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.4 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near Cambridge Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (Cambridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles (I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Cambridge, MA to Cotuit, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Mashpee along the way.
Mashpee
60.5 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.4 miles on MA 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cotuit, 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 0.1 miles (Cambridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles (I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cotuit, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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