If you are planning to travel from Phillipston to Cambridge, you are looking at a 60.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, as it covers a manageable distance that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily travel along MA 2, utilizing the Concord Turnpike and Captain Isaac Davis Highway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this is an efficient and budget-friendly way to move between these two Massachusetts locations. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the quieter areas of the Northeast region to the bustling atmosphere of the Cambridge area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.4 miles from Phillipston, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
21.7 mi
30m
Concord Turnpike
19.8 mi
27m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi
9m
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi
5m
Concord Highway
3.4 mi
4m
Baldwinville Road
1.4 mi
3m
Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Beacon Street
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 21.7 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phillipston, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on this road
141 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto The Common
185 ft·6 sec·The Common
3
Continue on The Common
310 ft·9 sec·The Common
4
Turn right onto Baldwinville Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Baldwinville Road
5
Turn right onto MA 2A
380 ft·7 sec·State Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
7
Merge onto MA 2
22 mi·30 min·MA 2
8
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi·17 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi·9 min·Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi·1 min·Union Turnpike
11
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
12
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi·35 sec·Elm Street
13
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Concord Turnpike
14
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·5 min·Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
15
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Highway
16
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·4 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
473 ft·13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, WoburnUse the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi·51 sec·Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
19
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi·2 min·Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: CambridgeUse the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi·3 min·Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft·12 sec·Cooney Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft·19 sec·Line Street
24
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure the smoothest travel experience, plan your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic, which can significantly impact the 1 hour and 33 minute duration. Because the entire trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to complete the 60.7-mile distance without needing formal rest stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Phillipston to take advantage of local pricing, keeping your total transit budget near that $10 estimate. Since this is a single-day journey, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip or finding overnight accommodations. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for speed limit changes as you transition from the open highway onto the Concord Turnpike and Captain Isaac Davis Highway segments.
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 30.4 miles from Phillipston, MA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 13 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.4 miles or 44m 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 16m
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 Phillipston, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Phillipston, MA
This is one driving day of about 60.7 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Phillipston, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 2 for about 21.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 60.6 — 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|The Common
Turn right onto The Common
Navigation decision point
6
23.7 mi into trip|~35m 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
57.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.71 one way
$19.43 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$10.59
$21.19
premium
$4.82
$11.53
$23.05
diesel
$5.61
$13.40
$26.80
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
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.2
0
$6.37
$2.91
Efficient EV
15.2
0
$5.31
$2.43
EV Truck/SUV
24.3
0
$8.50
$3.88
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Phillipston, MA
Late night
in Phillipston on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Late night
in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
2:04 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
24 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 33m 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...
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.
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 60.7
. . . 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 60.7
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 37.7
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 60.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 76% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.7 miles along MA 2. The road maintains a consistent pace, transitioning from the more open surroundings near Phillipston toward the increasingly dense traffic patterns as you approach Cambridge. While the route is functional rather than scenic, the reliable road conditions allow for a predictable driving experience. You should be prepared for the shift from rural transit to the more complex infrastructure that characterizes the final approach to your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.7 mi on MA 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near The Common.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 (The Common): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 1h 33m. Total distance: 60.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.7 miles on MA 2. 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 (The Common): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 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.
