Origin
Dunstable, MA
Late night in Dunstable on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunstable, MA to Somerville, MA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
32.6 mi
52 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunstable, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Somerville, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 32.6-mile drive from Dunstable, MA to Somerville, MA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 49 minutes, making it ideal for a single day. You'll primarily navigate via US 3 and local roads like Main Street and Cambridge Road. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $5, this journey is budget-friendly. The drive offers a mixed experience, not requiring an overnight stop. Since both locations are within the Northeast region of Massachusetts, you won't encounter significant geographical shifts. Plan this trip for a convenient transition between these two Massachusetts communities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 18.7 mi | 23m |
| Main Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Dunstable Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Winthrop Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Lowell Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Medford Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 18.7 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunstable, MA and Somerville, MA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Lowell Street
3
Continue on Dunstable Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Dunstable Road
4
Turn left onto Westford Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Westford Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 3 South: Burlington
6
Merge onto US 3
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 3
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 3
9
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 3
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 3
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Road
13
Continue on US 3
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cambridge Street
14
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Bacon Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bacon Street
16
Enter roundabout onto MA 38
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
17
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Main Street
18
Continue on MA 38
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Winthrop Street
19
Enter roundabout onto MA 60
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
High Street
20
Continue on MA 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
High Street
21
Turn slight right onto Clippership Drive
114 ft
·
6 sec
·
Clippership Drive
22
Turn slight right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Main Street
23
Continue on Main Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
24
Continue on Medford Street
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Medford Street
25
Continue on Medford Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Medford Street
26
Turn right onto School Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
School Street
27
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
279 ft
·
14 sec
·
Highland Avenue
28
Turn right
163 ft
·
12 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Dunstable, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 26.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 3
Merge onto US 3
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
20.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
7
23.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 South: Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 3 / Cambridge Street
Merge onto US 3 / Cambridge Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
26.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
Church Street
Turn left onto Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.22 one way
$10.43 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.69 | $11.38 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.19 | $12.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.85 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.56 | $2.09 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Somerville, MA
Late night in Somerville on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Lexington, MA
16 mi in
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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 57% of it being on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18.7 miles on US 3, which will likely feel like a more consistent, faster-paced segment. As you transition off the main highway onto roads like Main Street and Cambridge Road, the character of the drive will change, becoming more local and potentially involving more traffic signals or varied speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and more community-focused driving.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.7 mi on US 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 3.7 miles in near US 3.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 32.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (US 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles (US 3): 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.
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 Dunstable, MA to Somerville, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
Peabody
20.8 mi in
|
~28m
|
via US 3
About the Cities
Arriving in Somerville, MA
Full guide →Founded 1630
Older Bostonians might still derisively call it "Slummerville", but today that tired old moniker couldn't be further from the truth. Packed with upwardly mobile professionals and longtime residents, Somerville is often voted an "All-America City" and the best-run city in Massachusetts. It would seem civically engaged folks can achieve uncommon results; and Somerville fosters an environment of cooperation like no other. Its 81,000 residents (2020) are quick to enjoy the fruits of their artistry, and you'll find top notch options for dinner, drinks, and dancing all in abundance within Somerville's borders. Lurking just to the south, big brothers Boston and Cambridge provide options and opportunities for many of Somerville's creative class residents.
Top landmarks
- • Mystic Valley Parkway — Historic road in Massachusetts
- • Alewife Brook Parkway — highway in Massachusetts
- • Martin W. Carr School
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 32.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). 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 18.7 miles on US 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 Somerville, 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 3.7 miles (US 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Minute Man 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 Somerville, 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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