Origin
Cambridge, MA
Late night in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, MA to Ware, 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
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
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
Ware, MA
Aleksander Dumała
Trip Overview
This 73.2-mile drive from Cambridge, MA, to Ware, MA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 44 minutes. With a manageable fuel cost of approximately $12, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing you to spend more time at your destination. The route primarily uses major roads, including the Massachusetts Turnpike, making it a largely highway-focused experience. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within Massachusetts for the entire trip. This route offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Cambridge, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 51.7 mi | 1h 1m |
| Southbridge Road | 4.4 mi | 9m |
| Main Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Brookfield Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Wilbur Cross Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West Warren Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Ware Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Apple Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 51.7 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and Ware, MA.
1
Start on Leonard Avenue
267 ft
·
13 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cambridge Street
3
Turn left onto Ellery Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Ellery Street
4
Turn right onto Harvard Street
0.2 mi
·
59 sec
·
Harvard Street
5
Turn left onto Bow Street
475 ft
·
20 sec
·
Bow Street
6
Continue on DeWolfe Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
DeWolfe Street
Use the straight lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 3; MA 2
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Western Avenue
478 ft
·
18 sec
·
Western Avenue
Toward I 90: Western Avenue, Mass Pike
9
Turn left onto Soldiers Field Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Soldiers Field Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 90: Mass Pike
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 West: Worcester
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 90
52 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilbur Cross Highway
Exit 78
Toward I 84: Hartford, New York City
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 6B
Toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer
15
Merge onto US 20
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Charlton Road
16
Take the exit
392 ft
·
14 sec
17
Continue on US 20
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Charlton Road
18
Continue on US 20
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
19
Turn right onto MA 148
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Brookfield Road
20
Turn slight left onto Warren Road
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Warren Road
21
Continue on Apple Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Apple Road
22
Continue on Southbridge Road Extension
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Southbridge Road Extension
23
Keep slight right at fork onto Southbridge Road Extension
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southbridge Road Extension
24
Turn straight onto Brookfield Road
224 ft
·
4 sec
·
Brookfield Road
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Southbridge Road
4.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Southbridge Road
26
Turn right onto MA 19
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
Maple Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto MA 67
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
28
Turn right onto Ware Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Ware Road
29
Continue on West Ware Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ware Street
30
Continue on West Warren Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Warren Road
31
Continue on South Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
32
Turn left onto MA 9; MA 32
28 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
MA 9; MA 32
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Cambridge in the morning will allow you to maximize your day in Ware. The route is efficient, and with no designated stops in the data, you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps pausing at a service area along the Massachusetts Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel, though the estimated cost of $12 suggests it's not a major concern for this trip. A specific tip: be aware of the transition from the high-speed Massachusetts Turnpike to local roads like Southbridge Road as you get closer to Ware, as this change in road type can affect travel time.
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 36.6 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 47m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ware, 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 73.2 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Cambridge, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 51.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 55.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
Navigation decision point
6
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 3; MA 2 / Memorial Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 3; MA 2 / Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Worcester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 West: Worcester
9
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 84 / Wilbur Cross Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84 / Wilbur Cross Highway toward I 84: Hartford, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78
Toward I 84: Hartford, New York City
6
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6B
Toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.71 one way
$23.43 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.78 | $25.55 |
| premium | $4.82 | $13.90 | $27.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.10
Massachusetts Turnpike
(51.7 mi)
$3.10
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 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 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
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.
Destination
Ware, MA
Late night in Ware on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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 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 drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 71% of the journey on higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 51.7 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, offering a period of consistent travel. As you progress, you'll transition from these main arteries onto local roads like Southbridge Road and Main Street as you approach Ware. While much of the drive is on the turnpike, the latter part will involve more local road driving, so be prepared for a change in pace and potential for more varied traffic.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.7 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Southbridge Road. 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 73.2 miles you will encounter 22 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): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 3; MA 2 / Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: 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 Cambridge, MA and Ware, MA, road signs point toward New York City and Palmer.
New York City
54 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via I 84
Palmer
55.6 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 73.2 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 (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.7 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.10 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 Ware, 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): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 3; MA 2 / Memorial Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ware, 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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