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Trip from North Amherst, 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

2h 13m

Distance

93.5 mi

150 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 4m ★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m

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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Downtown North Amherst, MA, MA

North Amherst, MA

Phil Evenden

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North Amherst, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 93.5 miles and takes about 2h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, North Liberty Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.5 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.96 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

46.8 miles from North Amherst, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 67.5 mi 1h 19m
Federal Street 5.6 mi 10m
North Liberty Street 4.1 mi 7m
North Main Street 2.6 mi 4m
North Washington Street 2.1 mi 3m
North Pleasant Street 2.1 mi 5m
Belchertown Road 2.1 mi 3m
Palmer Road 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 67.5 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

32 ft · 2 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto MA 63

155 ft · 11 sec · Sunderland Road
3

Continue on North Pleasant Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Pleasant Street
4

Enter roundabout onto North Pleasant Street

87 ft · 1 sec · North Pleasant Street
5

Continue on North Pleasant Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · North Pleasant Street
6

At end of road, turn left onto North Pleasant Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Pleasant Street
7

Enter roundabout onto Triangle Street

93 ft · 1 sec · Triangle Street
8

Continue on Triangle Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Triangle Street
9

At end of road, turn left onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Main Street
10

Turn right onto South Whitney Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · South Whitney Street
11

At end of road, turn left onto MA 9

0.4 mi · 54 sec · College Street
12

Continue on MA 9

2.1 mi · 3 min · Belchertown Road
13

Continue on MA 9

391 ft · 6 sec · USMC League Highway
14

Continue on MA 9

1.8 mi · 2 min · Federal Street
15

Continue on Federal Street

2.5 mi · 4 min · Federal Street
16

At end of road, turn right onto MA 9

1.3 mi · 2 min · Federal Street
17

Turn right onto US 202

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto North Washington Street

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Washington Street
19

Continue on North Liberty Street

4.1 mi · 7 min · North Liberty Street
20

Continue on Belchertown Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Belchertown Street
21

Continue on Bridge Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Bridge Street
22

Turn left onto Palmer Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road
23

Turn right onto MA 181

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Sykes Street
24

Continue on MA 181

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
25

Continue on US 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
26

Turn left onto US 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
27

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Use the left lane.
28

Keep slight right at fork

308 ft · 7 sec
29

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · this road
30

Merge onto I 90

68 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
31

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 131 Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park Use the slight left lane.
32

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
33

Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street

180 ft · 6 sec · Cambridge Street
34

Continue on River Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
35

Continue on Prospect Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Prospect Street
36

Turn left onto Hampshire Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
37

Continue on Cambridge Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
38

Turn right onto Line Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Line Street
39

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue
40

Arrive at destination

Leonard Avenue

Trip Plan

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 46.8 miles from North Amherst, MA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.5 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 21 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46.8 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 48m

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 North Amherst, 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 North Amherst, MA

This is one driving day of about 93.5 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from North Amherst, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 67.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Southbridge, MA

47 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

Palmer, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Worcester, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.8 miles from North Amherst, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Massachusetts Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.5 miles.

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

bōm dough cafe - inman square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.5

Hours: 8 am–3:30 pm

+18577995015

Visit website

Hen Chicken Rice

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Somerville, Massachusetts

0.6 mi

Cancúns Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Grafton, Massachusetts

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

2nd Street Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.5

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16176611311

Visit website

bōm dough cafe - inman square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.5

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–3:30 pm

+18577995015

Visit website

Hen Chicken Rice

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 93.5

Somerville, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16177641285

Visit website

Cancúns Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 60.1

North Grafton, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+15088398800

Visit website

Blue Salt Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 86.8

West Newton, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16174663174

Visit website

Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Third St

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.5

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–7:30 pm

+16173544200

Visit website

Palmer Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20

Palmer, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14132896956

Visit website

Cafe St. Petersburg

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 86.8

Newton Centre, Massachusetts

Hours: 5 pm–1 am

+16174673555

Visit website

Cafe Barada

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.5

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 12–8:30 pm

+16173542112

Visit website

2nd Street Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.5

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16176611311

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Amherst, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Amherst, MA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hadley, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Amherst, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Natick Service Plaza

0 mi from route

Charlton Service Plaza Eastbound

0 mi from route

Charlton Service Plaza Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Framingham Service Plaza Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Westborough Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Newton Service Plaza

0.8 mi from route

Commissioners Landing

1.6 mi from route

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 93.5

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16174961027

Visit website

Museum of Science

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 93.5

Boston, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16177232500

Visit website

LEGO® Discovery Center Boston

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 93.5

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 93.5

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 93.5

Charlestown, Massachusetts

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+16174261812

Visit website

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 93.5

Boston, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–11:30 pm

+16176354505

Visit website

All In Adventures Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Hadley, Massachusetts

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14132008386

Visit website

Boda Borg Boston

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 93.5

Malden, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17813211081

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 91.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | South Whitney Street

Turn right onto South Whitney Street

Navigation decision point

5
3.1 mi into trip | ~8m in | MA 9 / College Street

At end of road, turn left onto MA 9 / College Street

Navigation decision point

6
22 mi into trip | ~42m in | US 20 / Thorndike Street

Turn left onto US 20 / Thorndike Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
91 mi into trip | ~2h 5m 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
91.5 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.96 one way

$29.93 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $16.32 $32.64
premium $4.82 $17.75 $35.51
diesel $5.61 $20.64 $41.29

Estimated Tolls: $4.05

Massachusetts Turnpike (67.5 mi) $4.05

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

$15

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Ocean State Job Lot - Tesla Supercharger

Palmer, MA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Sturbridge Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Sturbridge, MA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Charlton Service Plaza Eastbound - Tesla Supercharger

Charlton, MA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Town of Palmer

Palmer, MA

VIALYNK

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 222

Sturbridge, MA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Holiday Inn Express Sturbridge

Sturbridge, MA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Big Bunny Market

Southbridge, MA

RED_E

4 DCFC

Southbridge Town Hall

Southbridge, MA

RED_E

3 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 6 eVgo Network: 3 Tesla: 3 RED_E: 2 VIALYNK: 1 AUTEL: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.1 0 $9.82 $4.49
Efficient EV 23.4 0 $8.18 $3.74
EV Truck/SUV 37.4 0 $13.09 $5.98

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 16, 2026

Origin

North Amherst, MA

Afternoon in North Amherst on Sunday

Local time

12:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Afternoon in Cambridge on Sunday

Local time

12:11 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

2 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

2h 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

93.5 mi in 2h 13m, mostly highway — 67.5 mi of that is on Massachusetts Turnpike.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.5 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near South Whitney Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 93.5 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 2.9 miles (South Whitney Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (MA 9 / College Street): Navigation decision point; at 22 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 93.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.5 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.05 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (South Whitney Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (MA 9 / College Street): Navigation decision point; at 22 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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