Spanning 88.6 miles across Massachusetts, this drive connects Greenfield to Cambridge in approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. It functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stays or planned stops. You can expect to spend about $12 on fuel for the journey. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic context throughout the drive. This trip is ideal for those who prefer navigating local roads over busy interstates, offering a direct path between these two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.5 miles from Greenfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
49.9 mi
1h 13m
Concord Turnpike
19.8 mi
27m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi
9m
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi
5m
Concord Highway
3.4 mi
4m
Federal Street
1.4 mi
2m
Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Beacon Street
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 49.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenfield, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on MA 2A
205 ft·14 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 5; MA 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Federal Street
3
Continue on US 5; MA 10
0.3 mi·22 sec·Bernardston Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
5
Merge onto MA 2
50 mi·1 hr 13 min·MA 2
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi·17 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi·9 min·Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi·1 min·Union Turnpike
9
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
10
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi·35 sec·Elm Street
11
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Concord Turnpike
12
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·5 min·Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
13
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Highway
14
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·4 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
473 ft·13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, WoburnUse the straight / left lanes.
16
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi·51 sec·Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
17
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi·2 min·Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: CambridgeUse the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi·3 min·Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft·12 sec·Cooney Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft·19 sec·Line Street
22
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 48-minute route relies entirely on local roads, you should plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic times to keep your travel time consistent. The lack of planned stops offers you the flexibility to complete the journey in one go, but keep your $12 fuel budget in mind before you head out. Be attentive to the transition between Federal Street and the Concord Turnpike, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires steady focus. Using a reliable GPS is essential here, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be making frequent turns throughout the 88.6-mile trip.
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 44.5 miles from Greenfield, MA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.9 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 51m
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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, MA
This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Greenfield, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 2 for about 49.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.9 and 88.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
85.9 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
5
86 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 3; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway
Merge onto US 3; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medfo...
6
86.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
6
88.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.23 one way
$28.46 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.52
$31.03
premium
$4.82
$16.88
$33.76
diesel
$5.61
$19.63
$39.26
Estimated Tolls: $1.67
Concord Turnpike
(16.1 mi)$1.12
Concord Turnpike
(3.7 mi)$0.26
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
(3.5 mi)$0.25
Union Turnpike
(0.6 mi)$0.04
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
$14
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.33
$4.27
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Greenfield, MA
Late night
in Greenfield on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Late night
in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
12:35 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
6 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
2h 14m 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.
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...
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$15
near mile 88.9
. . . 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 88.9
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 67.5
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 88.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route maintains a zero percent highway share. You will navigate through a series of turns along Federal Street, Bernardston Road, and the Concord Turnpike. Because the longest stretch on Federal Street is zero miles, you should be prepared for constant adjustments and frequent navigation changes. The road's personality is defined by its local character, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific thoroughfares. It is a technical drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying off the major highways.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.9 mi on MA 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.9 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 88.9 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 51.9 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86 miles (US 3; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.9 miles on MA 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.67 in tolls one way, starting with Concord 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 Cambridge, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.9 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86 miles (US 3; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Minute Man National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Adams 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 Cambridge, MA before heading back.
