Origin
Hanson, MA
Afternoon in Hanson on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hanson, 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
49m
Distance
29 mi
47 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 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hanson, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 29-mile drive from Hanson, MA to Cambridge, MA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under an hour, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll navigate primarily on MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway, with a 39% share of highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this short journey is just $5, reflecting its manageable distance. Given the brief duration and minimal cost, this route is perfect for a quick day trip, offering a convenient connection within the Northeast region of Massachusetts. It’s a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without a significant time commitment.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Plymouth Street | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Whitman Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Bedford Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 8.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanson, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on MA 58
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
Liberty Street
2
Continue on MA 58
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Washington Street
3
Continue on MA 58
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Spring Street
4
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Whitman Street
5
Continue on MA 58
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Plymouth Street
6
Enter roundabout onto MA 58
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
Plymouth Street
7
Continue on MA 58
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Plymouth Street
8
Turn left onto MA 139
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Avenue
9
Turn right onto MA 18
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Street
10
Continue on MA 18
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on MA 18
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward MA 3 North: Boston
13
Merge onto MA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MA 3
Exit 43B
Toward I 93 North: Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
MA 3
Exit 18
Toward Storrow Drive
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
18
Keep slight left at fork
213 ft
·
9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
20
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.
21
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
23
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 27.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway
Merge onto MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
26.1 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
MA 3
Take the exit onto MA 3 toward Storrow Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 18
Toward Storrow Drive
6
26.6 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
26.7 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
27.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.64 one way
$9.28 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.06 | $10.12 |
| premium | $4.82 | $5.51 | $11.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.40 | $12.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| Efficient EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.54 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.06 | $1.86 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Cambridge, MA
Afternoon in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
12:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Areas Of Fog then Cloudy
NE 5 to 9 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
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
10 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
49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 driving experience on this route, blending highway speeds with more local road conditions. With 39% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter stretches where you can maintain a consistent pace. The longest continuous segment without a major change is 8.9 miles on MA 3, offering a brief period of uninterrupted travel. As you progress, the road character will shift, transitioning from the more open feel of the highway to potentially more built-up or residential areas closer to your destination. This varied profile means you'll need to stay engaged as the driving conditions evolve.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8.9 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 11.1 miles in near MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway.
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 14 decision points packed into just 29 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 11.1 miles (MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.1 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hanson, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Station and Somerville.
Station
26.6 mi in
|
~41m
Somerville
27.1 mi in
|
~42m
|
via MA 28
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 29 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 (39%). 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 8.9 miles on MA 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 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: at 11.1 miles (MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.1 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.6 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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