Origin
Petersham, MA
Morning in Petersham on Tuesday
Local time
10:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Petersham, MA to Cambridge, MA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
64.5 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Petersham, MA
Noland Live
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 64.5-mile drive from Petersham, MA to Cambridge, MA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 41 minutes. Operating primarily on Concord Turnpike and MA 2, with a significant 64% of the route on highways, this trip is ideal as a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it's an economical option for getting between these two points in Massachusetts. The drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel within the Northeast region, making it a convenient choice for many travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.2 miles from Petersham, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Turnpike | 19.8 mi | 27m |
| MA 2 | 17.2 mi | 24m |
| Captain Isaac Davis Highway | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Concord Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Queen Lake Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Popple Camp Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Dudley Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 19.8 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersham, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on Common Street
185 ft
·
15 sec
·
Common Street
2
Turn sharp left onto MA 32
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto MA 101
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Popple Camp Road
4
Continue on MA 101
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Petersham Road
5
Continue on MA 101
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Queen Lake Road
6
Continue on MA 101
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Dudley Road
7
Turn right onto MA 2A; MA 101
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Patriots Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto MA 2
17 mi
·
24 min
·
MA 2
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Turnpike
13
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft
·
4 sec
·
Elm Street
14
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Elm Street
15
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Concord Turnpike
16
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
17
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Highway
18
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
473 ft
·
13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
21
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cooney Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft
·
19 sec
·
Line Street
26
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 41-minute duration, this 64.5-mile journey offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart Petersham at your leisure, though avoiding peak traffic hours into Cambridge is always a good idea. With no specific stops recommended and a low fuel cost of around $10, you can easily make this trip in one go. Keep an eye out for the transition onto MA 2, as this will signal the primary highway segment of your drive.
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 32.2 miles from Petersham, MA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.8 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 49m 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 23m
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 Petersham, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Petersham, MA
This is one driving day of about 64.5 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Petersham, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 19.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Petersham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 64.3 — 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
|
MA 32 / South Main Street
Turn sharp left onto MA 32 / South Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
27.5 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
6
61.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.32 one way
$20.65 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $11.26 | $22.51 |
| premium | $4.82 | $12.25 | $24.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.24 | $28.48 |
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
$10
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.77 | $3.10 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.64 | $2.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Morning in Cambridge on Tuesday
Local time
10:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
19 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 41m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 51.1
View on nps.gov
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 64.4
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 64.4
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . 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 64.4
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 42.2
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 64.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 64.5-mile trip, with 64% of the drive utilizing faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.8 miles along the Concord Turnpike. While largely highway, the route incorporates sections of Captain Isaac Davis Highway, suggesting a potential shift in road character as you progress. This mix means you'll spend a good portion of your time at higher speeds, making for a relatively quick transit.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.8 mi on Concord Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Concord Turnpike and MA 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MA 32 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 (MA 32 / South Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.5 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Cambridge, MA
Full guide →Cambridge is a city in Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston. It is renowned as the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both widely considered to be among the best universities in the world. The city's population was 118,000 in 2020; the fourth largest in the state.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 64.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.8 miles on Concord Turnpike. 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.
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 (MA 32 / South Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 27.5 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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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