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Trip from Falmouth, MA to Cambridge, 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 48m

Distance

74.7 mi

120 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Massachusetts, United States

Falmouth, MA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 74.7-mile drive from Falmouth, MA, to Cambridge, MA, will take approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. You'll primarily travel on Pilgrims Highway, MA 3, and West Falmouth Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this route is quite budget-friendly. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, so be prepared for a more engaging local road experience rather than a simple highway cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

37.3 miles from Falmouth, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pilgrims Highway 42.3 mi 53m
MA 3 8.9 mi 12m
West Falmouth Highway 8.3 mi 11m
General MacArthur Boulevard 4.1 mi 6m
Sandwich Road Connector 3.5 mi 6m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway 2.5 mi 4m
Cambridge Street 1.4 mi 4m
Palmer Avenue 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Pilgrims Highway — 42.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

94 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Elm Arch Way

185 ft · 15 sec · Elm Arch Way
3

Turn left onto MA 28

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Main Street
4

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 28

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
5

At end of road, turn right onto MA 28

0.1 mi · 9 sec · North Main Street
6

Continue on MA 28

1.0 mi · 2 min · Palmer Avenue
7

Continue on MA 28

8.3 mi · 11 min · West Falmouth Highway
8

Enter roundabout onto MA 28

0.1 mi · 17 sec · General MacArthur Boulevard
9

Continue on MA 28

4.0 mi · 5 min · General MacArthur Boulevard
10

Enter roundabout onto Sandwich Road Connector

171 ft · 5 sec · Sandwich Road Connector
11

Continue on Sandwich Road Connector

3.5 mi · 6 min · Sandwich Road Connector
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto Adams Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Adams Street
13

Turn right onto MA 6A

239 ft · 5 sec · Cranberry Highway
14

Take the ramp onto MA 6A

0.2 mi · 21 sec · MA 6A
15

Merge onto US 6

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Sagamore Bridge
16

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Pilgrim Highway
17

Continue on MA 3

42 mi · 53 min · Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on MA 3

8.4 mi · 11 min · MA 3
Exit 43B Toward I 93 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

2.5 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit onto MA 3

0.5 mi · 58 sec · MA 3
Exit 18 Toward Storrow Drive
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
22

Keep slight left at fork

213 ft · 9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on MA 28

0.3 mi · 1 min · Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on MA 28

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway, Somerville Use the straight lane.
25

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

1.4 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Turn right onto Line Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Line Street
27

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

Leonard Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 48-minute trip, flexibility is your best friend. Leaving Falmouth, MA, outside of peak morning or evening commute times into the Boston area will significantly improve your travel time. While there are no mandated stops, the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means you might want to take short breaks to stretch your legs and reorient yourself. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Pilgrims Highway, MA 3, and West Falmouth Highway, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 42 miles, meaning you'll be making more frequent adjustments before that point.

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 37.3 miles from Falmouth, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.3 miles or 53m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Falmouth, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Falmouth, MA

This is one driving day of about 74.7 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Falmouth, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 42.3 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

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

Monument Beach, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norwell, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.3 miles from Falmouth, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Hen Chicken Rice

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Somerville, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 74.7

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16177641285

Visit website

Hen Chicken Rice

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 74.7

Somerville, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16177641285

Visit website

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.7

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16174961027

Visit website

Plymouth Rock

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 32

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15087475360

Visit website

Museum of Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 74.7

Boston, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16177232500

Visit website

Nelson Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 32

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15087471620

Visit website

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 69.3

Boston, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–11:30 pm

+16176354505

Visit website

LEGO® Discovery Center Boston

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 74.7

Somerville, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16177025593

Visit website

Boston National Historical Park - Charlestown Navy Yard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 74.7

Boston, MA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16172425601

Visit website

USS Constitution Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 74.7

Charlestown, Massachusetts

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+16174261812

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 73 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Elm Arch Way

Turn right onto Elm Arch Way

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | MA 28 / Main Street

Turn left onto MA 28 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
72.3 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Stat...
8
72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
6
73 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.95 one way

$23.91 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.04 $26.07
premium $4.82 $14.18 $28.37
diesel $5.61 $16.49 $32.99

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: 26.1 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 22.4 0 $7.84 $3.59
Efficient EV 18.7 0 $6.54 $2.99
EV Truck/SUV 29.9 0 $10.46 $4.78

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 Mar 8, 2022

Origin

Falmouth, MA

Late night in Falmouth on Sunday

Local time

3:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Late night in Cambridge on Sunday

Local time

3:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

16 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

1h 48m 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 72.1
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $15 near mile 61.8
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 66.9
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 near mile 74.7
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 72.1
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 2.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 74.7-mile journey. While only 15% of the route is on highways, you'll experience a longest continuous stretch of 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. This suggests a significant portion of your travel will involve navigating local roads, potentially with more traffic signals and varied speed limits. The character of the drive will likely shift between these open highway segments and the more intricate, town-influenced local road sections.

Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on Pilgrims Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elm Arch Way.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.7 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (Elm Arch Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 28 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 74.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. 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 Cambridge, 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: near the start (Elm Arch Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 28 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Cambridge, 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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