How far is Cambridge, MA from North Reading, MA?

The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to North Reading, MA is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.9 miles (22.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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
18.06 mi
00h 28m
Flight
13.89 mi
22.35 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cambridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.89 mi
Kilometers
22.35 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.06 mi
Kilometers
29.07 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Reading
Wed, Apr 15, 11:16 PM EDT
Return by in Cambridge
Wed, Apr 15, 11:45 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cambridge
2026-04-15T22:47
Arrive North Reading
Wed, Apr 15, 11:16 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:29 AM to 7:29 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cambridge
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Stoneham
MA

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

From Cambridge
9 mi
00h 14m
To North Reading
9 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Today

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
77°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
9 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and North Reading.

  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 · 36 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

    Take the exit slight right toward I 93, MA 38: Medford, Boston

    63 m · 6 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 93 North, MA 38 North: Medford, Concord New Hampshire

    1509 ft · 49 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Mystic Avenue

    2646 ft · 57 sec · Mystic Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 93 North: Lawrence, Concord New Hampshire

    2113 ft · 52 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Concord Street, Wilmington

    1141 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Concord Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Concord Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Park Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Park Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Park Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Park Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Haverhill Street

    130 m · 12 sec · Haverhill Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Haverhill Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
93.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 93 North
11.6 mi · 64%
Park Street
2.3 mi · 13%
Concord Street
1.5 mi · 8%
McGrath Highway
0.87 mi · 5%
Mystic Avenue
0.5 mi · 3%
Prospect Street
0.48 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 93 North

Merge slight left

10.9 mi · 00h 13m

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 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
13.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stoneham
00h 14m from Cambridge
Leave By
7:32 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Cambridge and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near North Reading.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to North Reading?

The road trip is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?

Stoneham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9 miles from Cambridge and 9 miles from North Reading.

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

The direct path is about 13.9 miles (22.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.49 one way or $4.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Cambridge and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near North Reading.

Stop Ideas Near Stoneham

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 Stoneham and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 9.1 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 9.2 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 11.6 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 9 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 Stoneham.

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

5 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

13 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

South Station

15 mi away
2 South Station
RAIL

Back Bay station

15 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and North Reading. Straight-line distance: 13.89 mi (22.35 km).

Cambridge

#1 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
North Reading

#2 North Reading

Town in Massachusetts, United States

Population15,904
Coordinates42.5750900, -71.0786700
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Start: Cambridge (-71.10561, 42.3751)
End: North Reading (-71.07867, 42.57509)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.64 gal
2.41 L · about $2.49
Round trip
$4.98
1.28 gal · 4.82 L
Estimated CO2
5.7 kg one way
Round trip: 11.4 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $2.49 $4.98
Mid-grade $4.40 $2.81 $5.63
Premium $4.80 $3.07 $6.14
Diesel $4.49 $2.87 $5.74

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Cambridge and North Reading. The current time is 22:47:37.

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.