Lee, MA to Cambridge, MA is 123.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m via Massachusetts Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically Massachusetts, making it a convenient same-day journey. The majority of this drive is highway-focused, offering a straightforward path between these two points. Expect a quick transit with minimal detours, ideal for those prioritizing efficiency. The estimated fuel cost is quite low, adding to its appeal for a budget-conscious traveler.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.8 miles from Lee, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
119.5 mi
2h 19m
River Street
0.8 mi
2m
Prospect Street
0.6 mi
1m
Housatonic Street
0.5 mi
1m
Line Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Park Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Cambridge Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Hampshire Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on US 20
71 ft·2 sec·Park Street
2
Continue on Park Street
80 ft·7 sec·Park Street
3
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·26 sec·Park Street
4
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·Housatonic Street
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
120 mi·2 hr 19 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway ParkUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft·6 sec·Cambridge Street
11
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi·2 min·River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Prospect Street
13
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Line Street
16
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid rush hour traffic in the Boston metropolitan area. Plan for one stop, perhaps towards the middle of the 119.5-mile stretch on the Massachusetts Turnpike, to refuel or stretch your legs. Since the longest stretch is so substantial, ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before you begin your longest segment on the turnpike. The low fuel cost of $20 suggests you won't need to worry much about gas prices along the way.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.8 miles from Lee, MA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 59m
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 Lee, 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 Lee, MA
This is one driving day of about 123.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Lee, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 119.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 123.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
121 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
8
121.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
5
123 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|Hampshire Street
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|Leonard Avenue
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.76 one way
$39.53 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$21.55
$43.11
premium
$4.82
$23.45
$46.90
diesel
$5.61
$27.27
$54.53
Estimated Tolls: $7.17
Massachusetts Turnpike
(119.5 mi)$7.17
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
$20
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.1
0
$12.97
$5.93
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.81
$4.94
EV Truck/SUV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.90
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Lee, MA
Night
in Lee on Saturday
Local time
9:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Night
in Cambridge on Saturday
Local time
9:16 PM
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 30m 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
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.
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 42.6
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 123.5
. . . 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 123.5
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 123.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 119.5 miles primarily on the Massachusetts Turnpike. This means you can expect consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for most of the trip. The main roads involved are the Massachusetts Turnpike, River Street, and Prospect Street, suggesting a transition from the turnpike to more local roads as you approach your destination. The character is largely one of efficient transit rather than scenic exploration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and River Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 123.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 123.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.5 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.17 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (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.
