How far is Boston, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Boston, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 3.1 miles (5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 15m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boston and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boston and Cambridge.
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1
Start on Tremont Street
70 m · 11 sec · Tremont Street
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2
Turn right onto Beacon Street
92 m · 13 sec · Beacon Street
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3
Turn right onto Somerset Street
104 m · 13 sec · Somerset Street
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4
Turn left onto Ashburton Place
64 m · 7 sec · Ashburton Place
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Ashburton Place
77 m · 9 sec · Ashburton Place
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6
Turn straight onto Bowdoin Street
574 ft · 22 sec · Bowdoin Street
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7
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1120 ft · 52 sec · Cambridge Street
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8
Turn right onto Blossom Street
1733 ft · 1 min · Blossom Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Charles Street
155 m · 17 sec · Charles Street
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10
Merge slight left onto Storrow Drive
47 m · 4 sec · Storrow Drive
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11
Take the exit slight left toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
80 m · 10 sec
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12
Turn left onto Charles River Dam Road
1677 ft · 58 sec · Charles River Dam Road
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13
Continue on Monsignor O'Brien Highway
955 ft · 35 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway
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14
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.4 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Street
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15
Turn right onto Line Street
1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street
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16
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boston and Cambridge.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.42 mi · 00h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Light Rain Likely leaving Boston 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 Boston to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 3.1 miles (5 km) and usually takes 00h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Somerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 1.6 miles from Boston and 1.4 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.43 one way or $0.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Boston and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Somerville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Salem City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerville.
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boston and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 2.61 mi (4.2 km).
#1 Boston
The twenty-first most populous city in the United States and the center of the Boston metropolitan area.
| Population | 691,531 |
| Coordinates | 42.3584300, -71.0597700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cambridge
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 119,192 |
| Coordinates | 42.3751000, -71.1056100 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 5 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $0.43 | $0.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $0.48 | $0.97 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $0.53 | $1.06 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $0.49 | $0.99 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.