Traveling from Russell to Cambridge covers 102.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes. This trip is ideally suited for a single day, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Massachusetts Turnpike, Westfield Road, and Russell Road to reach your destination. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly transit across the Northeast. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, it works perfectly for travelers looking to move between these two Massachusetts locations without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Russell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
89.8 mi
1h 45m
Westfield Road
3.8 mi
5m
Russell Road
3.6 mi
6m
North Elm Street
0.8 mi
2m
Franklin Street
0.8 mi
1m
River Street
0.8 mi
2m
Prospect Street
0.6 mi
1m
Union Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russell, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on US 20
65 ft·1 sec·Huntington Road
2
Continue on US 20
3.8 mi·5 min·Westfield Road
3
Continue on US 20
3.6 mi·6 min·Russell Road
4
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
5
Turn left onto Maple Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Maple Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Orange Street
279 ft·14 sec·Orange Street
7
Turn left onto US 202; MA 10
343 ft·11 sec·Elm Street
8
Turn slight right onto US 202; MA 10
0.4 mi·1 min·Union Avenue
9
Merge onto US 202; MA 10
0.8 mi·2 min·North Elm Street
10
Turn right
0.1 mi·22 sec
11
Turn left onto Friendlys Way
355 ft·12 sec·Friendlys Way
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
14
Merge onto I 90
90 mi·1 hr 45 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway ParkUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft·6 sec·Cambridge Street
18
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi·2 min·River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Prospect Street
20
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Line Street
23
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in Cambridge, consider your departure time to avoid potential peak-hour congestion on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you likely won't need a formal stop, giving you the flexibility to complete the trip in one go. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, as there are limited opportunities to exit the turnpike for cheaper gas once you are in the flow of traffic. Since the majority of your time is spent on a single highway, stay alert during the long 89.8-mile stretch to remain focused behind the wheel. Use this direct route to your advantage by keeping your schedule open for activities once you arrive at your destination.
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 51.3 miles from Russell, MA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 23 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 1h 7m 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 46m
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 Russell, 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 Russell, MA
This is one driving day of about 102.6 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Russell, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 89.8 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 8.3 and 100.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in|Orange Street
At end of road, turn right onto Orange Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in|US 202; MA 10 / Elm Street
Turn left onto US 202; MA 10 / Elm Street
Navigation decision point
5
9.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
100 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
100.5 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
$16.42 one way
$32.84 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$17.91
$35.81
premium
$4.82
$19.48
$38.96
diesel
$5.61
$22.65
$45.31
Estimated Tolls: $5.39
Massachusetts Turnpike
(89.8 mi)$5.39
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.77
$4.92
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$8.98
$4.10
EV Truck/SUV
41
0
$14.36
$6.57
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Russell, MA
Night
in Russell on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Night
in Cambridge on Saturday
Local time
10:53 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
22 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 12m 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 102.6
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 21.2
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 102.6
. . . 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 102.6
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 102.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 102.6-mile trek is distinctly highway-focused, with 88% of your travel time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 89.8 miles along the Massachusetts Turnpike. While the initial segments involve local roads like Westfield and Russell, the majority of the drive is a high-speed interstate experience. It lacks the technical curves of backroads, favoring directness and speed to get you to Cambridge efficiently. Expect a consistent, predictable driving environment that prioritizes time-saving over winding, scenic detours.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Westfield Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near Orange Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 102.6 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 8.3 miles (Orange Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (US 202; MA 10 / Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 102.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.39 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 8.3 miles (Orange Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (US 202; MA 10 / Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
