How far is Cambridge, MA from Medford, MA?

The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Medford, MA is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 3 miles (4.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
4.64 mi
00h 15m
Flight
3 mi
4.82 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cambridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
3 mi
Kilometers
4.82 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
4.64 mi
Kilometers
7.47 km
Drive Time
00h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Medford
Fri, May 1, 4:55 PM EDT
Return by in Cambridge
Fri, May 1, 5:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cambridge
2026-05-01T16:40
Arrive Medford
Fri, May 1, 4:55 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:15 AM to 7:15 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cambridge
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Somerville
MA

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

From Cambridge
2.4 mi
00h 07m
To Medford
2.3 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph W
Destination
61°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Medford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Medford.

  1. 1

    Start on Leonard Avenue

    81 m · 17 sec · Leonard Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cambridge Street

    1391 ft · 1 min · Cambridge Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    740 ft · 38 sec · Cambridge Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Prospect Street

    2519 ft · 1 min · Prospect Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1265 ft · 33 sec · Washington Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto McGrath Highway

    1.4 km · 2 min · McGrath Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Fellsway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Fellsway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Riverside Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on City Hall Mall

    545 ft · 19 sec · City Hall Mall

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Salem Street

    16 m · 1 sec · Salem Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Salem Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Medford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
11 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
239.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Fellsway
1.33 mi · 29%
Riverside Avenue
1.26 mi · 27%
McGrath Highway
0.87 mi · 19%
Prospect Street
0.48 mi · 10%
Cambridge Street
0.4 mi · 9%
Washington Street
0.24 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Fellsway

Continue on Fellsway

1.33 mi · 00h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 15m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.7 mi
3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Somerville
00h 07m from Cambridge
Leave By
8:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Medford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Medford?

The road trip is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km) and usually takes 00h 15m 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?

Somerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.4 miles from Cambridge and 2.3 miles from Medford.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 3 miles (4.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.7 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 8:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.62 one way or $1.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Medford.

Stop Ideas Near Somerville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Somerville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 2.9 mi away

Cocobeet - Boston

Boston , MA
100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
Rating 4.4/5 198 reviews Health food restaurant,Juice shop,Raw food restaurant,Vegan restaurant
Boston's Old City Hall
Scenic stop 2.9 mi away

Boston's Old City Hall

Boston , MA
45 School St, Boston, MA 02108, United States
Rating 4.6/5 346 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 13 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , MA
93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
Rating 4.2/5 84 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 2.8 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Boston , MA
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203
Rating 4.4/5 208 reviews City park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Somerville.

RAIL

North Station

4 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

South Station

5 mi away
2 South Station
RAIL

Back Bay station

5 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

14 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Medford. Straight-line distance: 3 mi (4.82 km).

Cambridge

#1 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Medford

#2 Medford

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population60,847
Coordinates42.4184300, -71.1061600
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)
End: Salem Street (-71.106262, 42.418586)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 7 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.16 gal
0.62 L · about $0.62
Round trip
$1.24
0.32 gal · 1.24 L
Estimated CO2
1.4 kg one way
Round trip: 2.8 kg / 6 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $0.62 $1.24
Mid-grade $4.40 $0.70 $1.41
Premium $4.80 $0.77 $1.54
Diesel $4.49 $0.72 $1.44

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Cambridge and Medford. The current time is 16:40:09.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.