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Trip from Cambridge, MA to East Falmouth, 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 49m

Distance

75.4 mi

121 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 41m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown East Falmouth, MA, MA

East Falmouth, MA

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

Cambridge, MA to East Falmouth, MA is 75.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m via MA 3 and Southeast Expressway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Massachusetts, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll find this trip is largely highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip between these two points without much complexity. Consider this a smooth transition from urban to coastal settings.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.7 miles from Cambridge, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MA 3 31.4 mi 40m
Pilgrims Highway 12 mi 15m
Southeast Expressway 8 mi 10m
MA 28 6.5 mi 8m
General MacArthur Boulevard 4.1 mi 6m
Sandwich Road 3 mi 5m
Brick Kiln Road 3 mi 6m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway 2.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: MA 3 — 31.4 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and East Falmouth, 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

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Mid Cape Highway
14

Take the exit onto MA 6A

0.5 mi · 1 min · MA 6A
Exit 55 Toward MA 6A: Sagamore Use the straight lane.
15

At end of road, turn left onto Sandwich Road

2.8 mi · 4 min · Sandwich Road
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on Sandwich Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Sandwich Road
17

Enter roundabout onto MA 28

466 ft · 15 sec · General MacArthur Boulevard
Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery
18

Continue on MA 28

4.0 mi · 5 min · General MacArthur Boulevard
Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery
19

Enter roundabout onto MA 28

0.1 mi · 15 sec · MA 28
20

Continue on MA 28

6.4 mi · 8 min · MA 28
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward West Falmouth, East Falmouth
22

At end of road, turn left onto Brick Kiln Road

3.0 mi · 6 min · Brick Kiln Road
23

At end of road, turn right onto Ox Bow Road

317 ft · 11 sec · Ox Bow Road
24

Turn left onto MA 28

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Teaticket Highway
25

Continue on MA 28

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Falmouth Highway
26

Arrive at destination

MA 28

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to plan for overnight stops. While there are no designated stops in the data, keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 31.4-mile stretch on MA 3, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. The estimated fuel cost of $12 suggests a budget-friendly excursion.

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 37.7 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 54m 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 17 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.7 miles or 54m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Falmouth, 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 75.4 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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.

town in Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hingham, MA

38 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

Quincy, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.7 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 60.6 — 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.
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
7
57 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | MA 6A

Take the exit onto MA 6A toward MA 6A: Sagamore

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 55 Toward MA 6A: Sagamore
7
57.6 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | Sandwich Road

At end of road, turn left onto Sandwich Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
60.6 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | MA 28 / General MacArthur Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto MA 28 / General MacArthur Boulevard toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.07 one way

$24.13 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.16 $26.32
premium $4.82 $14.32 $28.63
diesel $5.61 $16.65 $33.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.6 0 $7.92 $3.62
Efficient EV 18.9 0 $6.60 $3.02
EV Truck/SUV 30.2 0 $10.56 $4.83

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Cambridge, MA

Late night in Cambridge on Sunday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Falmouth, MA

Late night in East Falmouth on Sunday

Local time

4:10 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 49m 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

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.

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 2.6
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
Park Closure: Great Hall of Faneuil Hall
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $15 near mile 13
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . 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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 7.8
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 2.6
View on nps.gov
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

National Historical Park

"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 70.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 64% of it being on major roadways like the Southeast Expressway and MA 3. You'll experience a solid stretch of 31.4 miles on MA 3, which forms the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. The character of the drive leans towards efficiency, allowing for consistent speeds for much of the trip. Expect a more urban feel initially, transitioning to a more open highway environment as you head south.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway. 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 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.4 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 13.2 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles (MA 6A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Cambridge, MA and East Falmouth, MA, road signs point toward Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery and Falmouth.

Joint Base Cape Cod

60.6 mi in | ~1h 25m | via MA 28

National Cemetery

60.6 mi in | ~1h 25m | via MA 28

Falmouth

71.2 mi in | ~1h 40m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 75.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (64%). 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 East Falmouth, 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 13.2 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles (MA 6A): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Adams National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (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 East Falmouth, 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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