How far is Cambridge, MA from Melrose, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Melrose, MA is about 7.5 miles (12 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 6.1 miles (9.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 15m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Melrose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Melrose.
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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
740 ft · 36 sec · Cambridge Street
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4
Turn left onto Prospect Street
2519 ft · 1 min · Prospect Street
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5
Turn right onto Washington Street
1265 ft · 33 sec · Washington Street
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6
Turn left onto McGrath Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · McGrath Highway
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7
Continue on Fellsway
1.6 km · 2 min · Fellsway
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8
Turn slight right onto Middlesex Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Middlesex Avenue
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9
Continue on Highland Avenue
822 ft · 18 sec · Highland Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Medford Street
1203 ft · 33 sec · Medford Street
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11
Turn left onto Commercial Street
2072 ft · 47 sec · Commercial Street
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12
Turn right onto Charles Street
1962 ft · 47 sec · Charles Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
1155 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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14
Continue on Main Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Winthrop Street
699 ft · 33 sec · Winthrop Street
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16
Turn right onto Myrtle Street
44 m · 6 sec · Myrtle Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Myrtle Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Melrose.
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.
Main Street
Continue on Main Street
2.18 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Cambridge and Partly Sunny near Melrose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Melrose?
The road trip is about 7.5 miles (12 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?
Malden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.7 miles from Cambridge and 3.7 miles from Melrose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 6.1 miles (9.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.4 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 7:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.01 one way or $2.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cambridge and Partly Sunny near Melrose.
Stop Ideas Near Malden
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 Malden.
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Melrose. Straight-line distance: 6.1 mi (9.82 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 Melrose
City in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States; suburb of Boston, Massachusetts
| Population | 27,790 |
| Coordinates | 42.4584300, -71.0661600 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
End: Melrose (-71.06616, 42.45843)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $1.01 | $2.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $1.14 | $2.29 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $1.25 | $2.50 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $1.17 | $2.33 |
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.