How far is Cambridge, MA from Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.1 miles (35.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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 48m.
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.
Light Rain Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
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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 · 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
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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
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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
13.3 mi · 19 min · Yankee Division Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Essex, Manchester
747 ft · 26 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on School Street, Manchester
57 m · 7 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto School Street
1.3 km · 2 min · School Street
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18
Turn left onto Brook Street
127 m · 18 sec · Brook Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Brook Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
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.
Yankee Division Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Yankee Division Highway
13.3 mi · 00h 19m
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 Rain Showers near Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Manchester-by-the-Sea?
The road trip is about 30.7 miles (49.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.1 miles (35.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:54 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 Light Rain Likely around Cambridge and Rain Showers near Manchester-by-the-Sea.
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 Manchester-by-the-Sea. Straight-line distance: 22.15 mi (35.65 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 5,438 |
| Coordinates | 42.5778700, -70.7689400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Manchester-by-the-Sea (-70.76894, 42.57787)
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.