How far is Cambridge, MA from Essex, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Essex, MA is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 census-designated place in Essex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Essex.
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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
-
3
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.3 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street
-
4
Merge slight left onto Monsignor O'Brien Highway
755 ft · 28 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway
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5
Turn left onto Charlestown Avenue
1355 ft · 38 sec · Charlestown Avenue
-
6
Continue on Austin Street
882 ft · 23 sec · Austin Street
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7
Turn right
42 m · 5 sec
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8
Turn right onto New Rutherford Avenue
830 ft · 14 sec · New Rutherford Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge
1952 ft · 50 sec
-
10
Merge slight right
12.2 mi · 16 min
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11
Take the exit straight toward I 95 South, MA 128 North: Waltham, Gloucester
591 ft · 17 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, MA 128 North: Gloucester, Portsmouth New Hampshire
1 km · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
2957 ft · 46 sec · Yankee Division Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Yankee Division Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Yankee Division Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MA 1A North: Hamilton, Beverly Regional Airport
102 m · 12 sec
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16
Turn right onto MA 1A North: North Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham
75 m · 6 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Dodge Street
92 m · 4 sec · Dodge Street
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18
Continue on Dodge Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Dodge Street
-
19
Turn slight right
51 m · 7 sec
-
20
Continue on Dodge Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Dodge Street
-
21
Continue on Dodges Row
1.1 km · 1 min · Dodges Row
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Dodge Row
36 m · 5 sec · Dodge Row
-
23
Turn right onto Larch Row
2328 ft · 47 sec · Larch Row
-
24
Continue on Essex Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Essex Street
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25
Continue on Western Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Western Avenue
-
26
Continue on Martin Street
1 km · 1 min · Martin Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Essex.
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.
US 1 North
Merge slight right
12.2 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Cambridge and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Essex?
The road trip is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
South Peabody is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Cambridge and 15.3 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.2 miles (38.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.20 one way or $8.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Cambridge and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near South Peabody
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 South Peabody.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Essex. Straight-line distance: 24.2 mi (38.94 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 Essex
Town in Essex County, New York
| Population | 3,824 |
| Coordinates | 42.6320400, -70.7828300 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: Essex (-70.78283, 42.63204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $4.75 | $9.50 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.18 | $10.37 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $4.85 | $9.69 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.