Cambridge, MA to Nantucket, MA is 102.9 miles and takes about 4h 2m via MA 3 and the Mid Cape Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, beginning in the Northeast region and ending on the island of Nantucket. The route offers a mixed driving experience, transitioning from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a manageable trip for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
51.4 miles from Cambridge, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
31.4 mi
40m
Hyannis - Nantucket
28.3 mi
2h 14m
Mid Cape Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Pilgrims Highway
12 mi
15m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
Iyannough Road
2.8 mi
5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
2.7 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 Nantucket, 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 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape CodUse 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
13 mi·17 min·Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 68Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
15
Keep slight left at fork
304 ft·8 sec
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
17
Turn straight onto MA 132
2.8 mi·5 min·Iyannough Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Barnstable Road
228 ft·4 sec·Barnstable Road
19
Continue on Barnstable Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Barnstable Road
20
Continue on Ocean Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Ocean Street
21
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·South Street
22
Turn right onto South Street Dock
369 ft·28 sec·South Street Dock
23
Turn left onto Slip 1
51 ft·3 sec·Slip 1
24
Continue on Slip 1
197 ft·14 sec·Slip 1
25
Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket
28 mi·2 hr 14 min·Hyannis - Nantucket
26
Continue on Slip 1
143 ft·13 sec·Slip 1
27
Turn left onto Steamboat Wharf
67 ft·7 sec·Steamboat Wharf
28
Continue on Steamboat Wharf
244 ft·8 sec·Steamboat Wharf
29
Continue on Broad Street
397 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
30
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·South Water Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto Main Street
513 ft·16 sec·Main Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto Centre Street
120 ft·3 sec·Centre Street
33
Arrive at destination
Centre Street
Trip Plan
For this trip, leaving Cambridge, MA in the morning is advisable to maximize your time on Nantucket. The 4-hour drive is split with only one recommended stop, giving you flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $16, and plan for a brief stop to refuel if needed. The longest continuous stretch on MA 3 is over 30 miles, so be prepared for that segment of consistent driving before transitioning to surface roads.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 51.4 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 1h 11m 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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.4 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nantucket, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cambridge, MA
This is one driving day of about 102.9 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cambridge, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 102.8 — 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
6
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
7
102.6 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|South Water Street
Turn left onto South Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
102.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.47 one way
$32.94 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$17.96
$35.92
premium
$4.82
$19.54
$39.08
diesel
$5.61
$22.72
$45.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.80
$4.94
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$9.00
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.41
$6.59
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Cambridge, MA
Late night
in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nantucket, MA
Late night
in Nantucket on Sunday
Local time
3:35 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 3.5
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
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...
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
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 3.5
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$25
near mile 70.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive splits its time between highway and surface roads, with 41% of the route on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major change in road type at 31.4 miles on MA 3. Expect to transition from faster highway speeds to more local surface streets as you get closer to your ferry connection. The density of exits on the highway sections will be noticeable.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 102.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.
Hyannis
69.6 mi in|~1h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 102.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Nantucket, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nantucket, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
