How far is Cambridge, MA from Athol, MA?

The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Athol, MA is about 64.9 miles (104.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m 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
64.94 mi
01h 40m
Flight
59.13 mi
95.16 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cambridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.13 mi
Kilometers
95.16 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.94 mi
Kilometers
104.51 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Athol
Thu, Apr 23, 5:17 AM EDT
Return by in Cambridge
Thu, Apr 23, 6:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cambridge
2026-04-23T03:37
Arrive Athol
Thu, Apr 23, 5:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cambridge
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
Shirley
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Cambridge
32.4 mi
00h 50m
To Athol
32.6 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Leonard Avenue

    81 m · 14 sec · Leonard Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cambridge Street

    1.1 km · 3 min · Cambridge Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    33 m · 4 sec · Cambridge Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue

    49 m · 7 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Garden Street

    1679 ft · 1 min · Garden Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Concord Avenue

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Concord Avenue

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Brodette Memorial Circle

    14 m · 2 sec · Concord Avenue

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto Concord Avenue

    875 ft · 32 sec · Concord Avenue

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Alewife Brook Parkway

    1 km · 49 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

  11. 11

    Continue on Concord Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Concord Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Cambridge Turnpike

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike

  13. 13

    Continue on Concord Turnpike

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

  14. 14

    Continue on Elm Street

    1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Concord Rotary

    124 m · 5 sec · Union Turnpike

  16. 16

    Exit the rotary onto Union Turnpike

    3035 ft · 39 sec · Union Turnpike

  17. 17

    Continue on Massachusetts Avenue

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on George W Stanton Highway

    1406 ft · 22 sec · George W Stanton Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway

    11.2 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    25.7 mi · 36 min · Concord Turnpike

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A: Athol, Phillipston

    1546 ft · 57 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Templeton Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road

  23. 23

    Continue on Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue

    866 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Hill Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    82 m · 6 sec · Bridge Street

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto Crescent Street

    1792 ft · 42 sec · Crescent Street

  27. 27

    Turn sharp right onto Fish Street

    27 m · 5 sec · Fish Street

  28. 28

    Turn right

    13 m · 3 sec

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Concord Turnpike
33.7 mi · 52%
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
11.2 mi · 17%
Massachusetts Avenue
6.27 mi · 10%
Cambridge Turnpike
3.33 mi · 5%
Concord Highway
2.88 mi · 4%
Main Street
1.36 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

25.7 mi · 00h 36m

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 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.7 mi
59.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shirley
00h 50m from Cambridge
Leave By
3:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Athol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 64.9 miles (104.5 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Shirley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.4 miles from Cambridge and 32.6 miles from Athol.

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

The direct path is about 59.2 miles (95.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 3:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.91 one way or $17.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Athol.

Stop Ideas Near Shirley

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Shirley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 5.6 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Nashua, NH

30 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

35 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

42 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Athol. Straight-line distance: 59.13 mi (95.16 km).

Cambridge

#1 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Athol

#2 Athol

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Population11,698
Coordinates42.5959200, -72.2267500
Altitude170
CountryUnited States
Start: Cambridge (-71.10561, 42.3751)
End: Athol (-72.22675, 42.59592)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.29 gal
8.67 L · about $8.91
Round trip
$17.82
4.58 gal · 17.34 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.7 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $8.91 $17.82
Mid-grade $4.40 $10.07 $20.14
Premium $4.80 $10.99 $21.98
Diesel $4.49 $10.28 $20.56

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 Cambridge and Athol. The current time is 03:37:13.

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.