How far is Cambridge, MA from Carlisle, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Carlisle, MA is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.3 miles (26.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Carlisle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Carlisle.
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1
Start on Leonard Avenue
81 m · 14 sec · Leonard Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
1.1 km · 3 min · Cambridge Street
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3
Continue on Cambridge Street
33 m · 4 sec · Cambridge Street
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4
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
49 m · 7 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Garden Street
1679 ft · 1 min · Garden Street
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6
Continue on Concord Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Concord Avenue
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Brodette Memorial Circle
14 m · 2 sec · Concord Avenue
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8
Exit the rotary onto Concord Avenue
875 ft · 32 sec · Concord Avenue
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Alewife Brook Parkway
1 km · 49 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MA 4 North, MA 225 West: Lexington, Bedford
1168 ft · 32 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on MA 4 North, MA 225 West: Lexington, Bedford, Boston
1378 ft · 34 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Watertown Street
1642 ft · 28 sec · Watertown Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Pleasant Street
11 m · 1 sec · Pleasant Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Pleasant Street
2589 ft · 50 sec · Pleasant Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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17
Continue on Bedford Street
140 m · 8 sec · Bedford Street
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18
Turn slight right onto Hancock Street
2324 ft · 46 sec · Hancock Street
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Hancock Street
2939 ft · 59 sec · Hancock Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Burlington Street
40 m · 3 sec · Burlington Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Burlington Street
14 m · 1 sec · Burlington Street
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22
Turn slight right onto North Hancock Street
2198 ft · 1 min · North Hancock Street
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23
Turn right onto Bedford Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Bedford Street
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24
Continue on The Great Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · The Great Road
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25
Keep slight right to continue on North Road
964 ft · 37 sec · North Road
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26
Turn left onto Carlisle Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Carlisle Road
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27
Continue on Bedford Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Bedford Road
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Westford Road
23 m · 3 sec · Westford Road
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Westford Road
22 m · 2 sec · Westford Road
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Westford Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Carlisle.
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.
Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
3.21 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Cambridge and Partly Sunny near Carlisle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Carlisle?
The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.2 miles from Cambridge and 9.3 miles from Carlisle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.3 miles (26.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.2 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 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.53 one way or $5.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cambridge and Partly Sunny near Carlisle.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
Shoppers World
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Carlisle. Straight-line distance: 16.37 mi (26.35 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 Carlisle
Town in Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 5,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5292600, -71.3495000 |
| Altitude | 61 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlisle (-71.3495, 42.52926)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $2.53 | $5.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $2.86 | $5.72 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $3.12 | $6.24 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $2.92 | $5.83 |
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.