How far is Amherst, MA from Cambridge, MA?

The driving distance from Amherst, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 90.7 miles (145.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
90.68 mi
01h 49m
Flight
72.12 mi
116.07 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Amherst.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.12 mi
Kilometers
116.07 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
90.68 mi
Kilometers
145.93 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cambridge
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM EDT
Return by in Amherst
Thu, Apr 23, 3:20 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Amherst
2026-04-22T23:41
Arrive Cambridge
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Amherst
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Auburn
MA

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

From Amherst
45.7 mi
00h 54m
To Cambridge
45 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph S
Destination
47°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Amherst and Cambridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amherst and Cambridge.

  1. 1

    Start on Depot Road

    137 m · 20 sec · Depot Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Pleasant Street

    2191 ft · 53 sec · South Pleasant Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto College Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · College Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Belchertown Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Belchertown Road

  5. 5

    Continue on USMC League Highway

    119 m · 6 sec · USMC League Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Federal Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Federal Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Federal Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Federal Street

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Federal Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Federal Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Washington Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Washington Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North Liberty Street

    4.1 mi · 7 min · North Liberty Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Belchertown Street

    2359 ft · 47 sec · Belchertown Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Bridge Street

    1629 ft · 35 sec · Bridge Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Palmer Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Sykes Street

    735 ft · 15 sec · Sykes Street

  16. 16

    Continue on North Main Street

    3028 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Thorndike Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Thorndike Street

  19. 19

    Take the ramp left

    1291 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    94 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    1710 ft · 42 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

    67.5 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight left toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park

    2628 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park

    872 ft · 23 sec

  25. 25

    Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street

    55 m · 6 sec · Cambridge Street

  26. 26

    Continue on River Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · River Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Prospect Street

    2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Hampshire Street

    749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    614 ft · 30 sec · Cambridge Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Line Street

    1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

    140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Amherst and Cambridge.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
32 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Massachusetts Turnpike
67.5 mi · 74%
Federal Street
5.57 mi · 6%
North Liberty Street
4.11 mi · 5%
North Main Street
2.56 mi · 3%
North Washington Street
2.11 mi · 2%
Belchertown Road
2.09 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Massachusetts Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

67.5 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
72.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Auburn
00h 54m from Amherst
Leave By
2:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Amherst and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Amherst to Cambridge?

The road trip is about 90.7 miles (145.9 km) and usually takes 01h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Auburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.7 miles from Amherst and 45 miles from Cambridge.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.45 one way or $24.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Amherst and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.

Stop Ideas Near Auburn

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Auburn, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Auburn.

RAIL

Union Station

8 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

36 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Providence station

54 mi away
100 Gaspee Street
RAIL

Route 128 station

57 mi away
50 University Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Amherst and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 72.12 mi (116.07 km).

Amherst

#1 Amherst

Town in Massachusetts

Population40,643
Coordinates42.3672300, -72.5185200
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Cambridge

#2 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: Depot Road (-72.518559, 42.367096)
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 146 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.2 gal
12.11 L · about $12.45
Round trip
$24.90
6.4 gal · 24.22 L
Estimated CO2
28.4 kg one way
Round trip: 56.9 kg / 125 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $12.45 $24.90
Mid-grade $4.40 $14.07 $28.14
Premium $4.80 $15.36 $30.71
Diesel $4.49 $14.36 $28.72

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Amherst and Cambridge. The current time is 23:41:55.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.