How far is Cambridge, MA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Boston, MA is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 28m 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 14m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
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 Cambridge and Boston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Boston.
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1
Start on Leonard Avenue
81 m · 17 sec · Leonard Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1391 ft · 1 min · Cambridge Street
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3
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street
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4
Merge slight left onto Monsignor O'Brien Highway
755 ft · 23 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway
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5
Continue on Charles River Dam Road
1832 ft · 1 min · Charles River Dam Road
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6
Turn slight right onto Martha Road
873 ft · 32 sec · Martha Road
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7
Continue on Lomasney Way
530 ft · 20 sec · Lomasney Way
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8
Continue on Staniford Street
1131 ft · 47 sec · Staniford Street
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9
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1549 ft · 1 min · Cambridge Street
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10
Continue on Tremont Street
58 m · 7 sec · Tremont Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tremont Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Boston.
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
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.32 mi · 00h 04m
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 Cambridge and Light Rain Likely near Boston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Boston?
The road trip is about 2.9 miles (4.6 km) and usually takes 00h 14m 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 1.5 miles from Cambridge and 1.4 miles from Boston.
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 0.3 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 8:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.39 one way or $0.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 0.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Cambridge and Light Rain Likely near Boston.
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 Cambridge and Boston. Straight-line distance: 2.61 mi (4.2 km).
#1 Cambridge
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 119,192 |
| Coordinates | 42.3751000, -71.1056100 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Tremont Street (-71.060061, 42.358547)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 5 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 02m |
| 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 | $0.39 | $0.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $0.44 | $0.88 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $0.48 | $0.96 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $0.45 | $0.90 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.