How far is Cambridge, MA from Gardner, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Gardner, MA is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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 01h 21m.
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.
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Gardner.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Gardner.
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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
4.1 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike
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11
Continue on Concord Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Concord Highway
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12
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike
3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike
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13
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike
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14
Continue on Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Concord Rotary
124 m · 5 sec · Union Turnpike
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16
Exit the rotary onto Union Turnpike
3035 ft · 39 sec · Union Turnpike
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17
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue
6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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18
Continue on George W Stanton Highway
1406 ft · 22 sec · George W Stanton Highway
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19
Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway
11.2 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
15.4 mi · 22 min · Concord Turnpike
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21
Take the exit slight right toward MA 68: Gardner, Hubbardston
1451 ft · 41 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward American Legion Circle
5 m · 1 sec · Timpany Boulevard
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23
Exit the rotary onto Timpany Boulevard
84 m · 5 sec · Timpany Boulevard
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24
Continue on Donlan Street
122 m · 8 sec · Donlan Street
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Donlon Street
60 m · 4 sec · Donlon Street
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26
Turn straight onto Main Street
2363 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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27
Turn left onto City Hall Avenue
965 ft · 32 sec · City Hall Avenue
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto Nichols Street
49 m · 7 sec · Nichols Street
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29
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Gardner.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
15.4 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Cambridge and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Gardner.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Gardner?
The road trip is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?
Littleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.1 miles from Cambridge and 26.2 miles from Gardner.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 3:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.20 one way or $14.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Cambridge and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Gardner.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Lowell City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton.
Nashua, NH
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Gardner. Straight-line distance: 47.53 mi (76.5 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 Gardner
City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 20,585 |
| Coordinates | 42.5750900, -71.9981300 |
| Altitude | 324 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gardner (-71.99813, 42.57509)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $7.20 | $14.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $8.13 | $16.27 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $8.88 | $17.76 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $8.30 | $16.61 |
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.