If you are planning to head from Somerville to Chatham, expect a 91.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to easily complete the drive in one go without needing an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel cost of approximately $12 for the excursion. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than major highways, it is a straightforward trek through the Northeast. It is a practical option for those who prefer avoiding interstate traffic in favor of a more direct, localized path to the coast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Somerville, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
30.9 mi
39m
Mid Cape Highway
26.6 mi
36m
I 93
12.5 mi
17m
Pilgrims Highway
12 mi
15m
Queen Anne Road
3 mi
5m
Old Queen Anne Road
2.8 mi
5m
Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
McGrath Highway
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Somerville, MA and Chatham, MA.
1
Start on this road
163 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Highland Avenue
3
Continue on Medford Street
440 ft·13 sec·Medford Street
4
Turn left onto MA 28
0.6 mi·1 min·McGrath Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
206 ft·5 sec
Toward I 93, MA 38: Medford, Boston
6
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·8 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
7
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
9
Merge onto I 93
12 mi·17 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi·39 min·MA 3
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape CodUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi·15 min·Pilgrims Highway
12
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi·19 sec·Pilgrim Highway
13
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·45 sec·Sagamore Bridge
14
Continue on US 6
27 mi·36 min·Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 82Toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
16
Keep slight right at fork
191 ft·6 sec
Toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
17
Turn straight onto MA 124
363 ft·15 sec·Pleasant Lake Avenue
18
Turn left onto Queen Anne Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Queen Anne Road
19
Enter roundabout onto Queen Anne Road
102 ft·1 sec·Queen Anne Road
20
Continue on Queen Anne Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Queen Anne Road
21
Continue on Old Queen Anne Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Old Queen Anne Road
22
Continue on Old Queen Anne Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Queen Anne Road
23
Turn left onto MA 28
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
24
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
90 ft·2 sec·Main Street
25
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
26
Turn right
72 ft·5 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule, though planning around peak local traffic is always a wise move. Because there are no scheduled stops on this 91.2-mile path, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to cover the $12 estimated cost. You will be traveling entirely on local roads, so keep a close eye on navigation and local signage throughout the journey. Pack your own snacks or drinks beforehand, as the nature of this route means you will be moving through local corridors rather than stopping at typical highway rest areas.
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 45.6 miles from Somerville, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chatham, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Somerville, 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 Somerville, MA
This is one driving day of about 91.2 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Somerville, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 30.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 84.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 South: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 93 South: Boston
6
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 93 South: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 93 South: Boston
8
14.1 mi into trip|~22m in|MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 82
Toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.60 one way
$29.19 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.92
$31.83
premium
$4.82
$17.32
$34.63
diesel
$5.61
$20.14
$40.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.58
$4.38
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
EV Truck/SUV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Somerville, MA
Night
in Somerville on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chatham, MA
Night
in Chatham on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°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 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 7m 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.
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...
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...
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 3.1
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features zero percent highway travel, meaning you will navigate through city streets and local thoroughfares. You will start by navigating sections like Highland Avenue, Medford Street, and McGrath Highway. Because there are no long stretches—with the longest segment being 0 miles on Highland Avenue—the drive requires constant engagement with your surroundings. Expect a hands-on experience that keeps you focused on the road as you transition from the Somerville area toward your destination.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 91.2 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 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.1 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Somerville, MA and Chatham, MA, road signs point toward Brewster and Harwich Port.
Older Bostonians might still derisively call it "Slummerville", but today that tired old moniker couldn't be further from the truth. Packed with upwardly mobile professionals and longtime residents, Somerville is often voted an "All-America City" and the best-run city in Massachusetts. It would seem civically engaged folks can achieve uncommon results; and Somerville fosters an environment of cooperation like no other. Its 81,000 residents (2020) are quick to enjoy the fruits of their artistry, and you'll find top notch options for dinner, drinks, and dancing all in abundance within Somerville's borders. Lurking just to the south, big brothers Boston and Cambridge provide options and opportunities for many of Somerville's creative class residents.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 91.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on MA 3. 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 Chatham, 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 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.1 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chatham, MA before heading back.
