This 63.3-mile drive from Monument Beach to Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an easy 1 hour and 32-minute trip, making it perfect for a single day. You'll primarily navigate via Pilgrims Highway and MA 3, with a short section on Sandwich Road. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Northeast region. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so expect a more engaged driving experience than a straightforward interstate journey. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip requires no overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.7 miles from Monument Beach, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pilgrims Highway
42.3 mi
53m
MA 3
8.9 mi
12m
Sandwich Road
4.1 mi
7m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
2.5 mi
4m
Shore Road
2 mi
3m
Cambridge Street
1.4 mi
4m
Sagamore Bridge
0.4 mi
<1m
Charles River Dam Road
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 42.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monument Beach, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on Pine Street
223 ft·15 sec·Pine Street
2
Turn left onto Linwood Avenue
452 ft·21 sec·Linwood Avenue
3
Turn right onto Shore Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Shore Road
4
Turn left onto Sandwich Road
4.1 mi·7 min·Sandwich Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto Adams Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Adams Street
6
Turn right onto MA 6A
239 ft·5 sec·Cranberry Highway
7
Take the ramp onto MA 6A
0.2 mi·21 sec·MA 6A
8
Merge onto US 6
0.4 mi·47 sec·Sagamore Bridge
9
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi·20 sec·Pilgrim Highway
10
Continue on MA 3
42 mi·53 min·Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi·11 min·MA 3
Exit 43BToward I 93 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.5 mi·4 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi·58 sec·MA 3
Exit 18Toward Storrow Drive
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
15
Keep slight left at fork
213 ft·9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien HighwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi·1 min·Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on MA 28
0.2 mi·34 sec·Monsignor O'Brien Highway
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway, SomervilleUse the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.4 mi·4 min·Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Line Street
20
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 63.3-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving Monument Beach in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic closer to Cambridge. While there are no designated stops in the data, the drive's 1 hour and 32-minute duration allows for spontaneous breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making numerous directional changes. The $10 fuel cost is minimal, so you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops.
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 31.7 miles from Monument Beach, MA, or about 45m 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.7 miles or 45m 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 13m
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 Monument Beach, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monument Beach, MA
This is one driving day of about 63.3 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Monument Beach, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61.6 — 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|Linwood Avenue
Turn left onto Linwood Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
6.4 mi into trip|~12m in|MA 6A / Cranberry Highway
Turn right onto MA 6A / Cranberry Highway
Navigation decision point
6
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.13 one way
$20.26 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.05
$22.10
premium
$4.82
$12.02
$24.04
diesel
$5.61
$13.98
$27.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19
0
$6.65
$3.04
Efficient EV
15.8
0
$5.54
$2.53
EV Truck/SUV
25.3
0
$8.86
$4.05
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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 16, 2026
Origin
Monument Beach, MA
Late night
in Monument Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Late night
in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
12:18 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
7 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 32m 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.
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 61.1
Park Closure: Great Hall of Faneuil Hall
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
. . . 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 54.6
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 63.3
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 61.1
"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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this route, characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches. With only an 18% highway share, much of your journey will be on local roads, interspersed with a 42.3-mile segment on Pilgrims Highway. This blend means you'll be actively steering and navigating for a significant portion of the 1 hour and 32-minute drive. The road character shifts from a more open highway feel to a more intricate local road network as you approach your destination.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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?
7/10
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 Linwood Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Linwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (MA 6A / Cranberry Highway): Navigation decision point; at 60.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
166 ft19 ft
Total Climb
318 ft
Total Descent
322 ft
Highest Point
166 ft
~40.7 mi in
Elevation Range
148 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 63.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m 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 (Linwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (MA 6A / Cranberry Highway): Navigation decision point; at 60.9 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.
