How far is Cambridge, MA from Ipswich, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Ipswich, MA is about 30.3 miles (48.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.2 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.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Ipswich.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Ipswich.
-
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
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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
Continue on Newbury Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Newbury Street
-
12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
2611 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Topsfield
2002 ft · 57 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Newbury Street
2962 ft · 1 min · Newbury Street
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16
Continue on Boston Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Boston Street
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17
Continue on Boston Road
3090 ft · 53 sec · Boston Road
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18
Continue on Boston Street
153 m · 17 sec · Boston Street
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19
Turn right onto Ipswich Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Ipswich Road
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20
Continue on Topsfield Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · Topsfield Road
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21
Turn straight onto Depot Square
119 m · 25 sec · Depot Square
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22
Turn left onto Washington Street
30 m · 4 sec · Washington Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Ipswich.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Cambridge and Mostly Cloudy near Ipswich.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Ipswich?
The road trip is about 30.3 miles (48.8 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 15.2 miles from Cambridge and 15.2 miles from Ipswich.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25 miles (40.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 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 $4.16 one way or $8.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Cambridge and Mostly Cloudy near Ipswich.
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 Ipswich. Straight-line distance: 24.96 mi (40.17 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 Ipswich
Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 14,091 |
| Coordinates | 42.6792600, -70.8411600 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ipswich (-70.84116, 42.67926)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 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 | $4.16 | $8.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $4.70 | $9.41 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.13 | $10.27 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $4.80 | $9.60 |
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 · May 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.