How far is Cambridge, MA from Petersham, MA?

The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Petersham, MA is about 64.8 miles (104.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.84 mi
01h 41m
Flight
55.69 mi
89.63 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cambridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.69 mi
Kilometers
89.63 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.84 mi
Kilometers
104.35 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 01h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petersham
Wed, Apr 15, 7:25 PM EDT
Return by in Cambridge
Wed, Apr 15, 9:07 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cambridge
2026-04-15T17:43
Arrive Petersham
Wed, Apr 15, 7:25 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cambridge
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Shirley
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Cambridge
32.4 mi
00h 50m
To Petersham
32.5 mi
00h 50m

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
81°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Leonard Avenue

    81 m · 14 sec · Leonard Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cambridge Street

    1.1 km · 3 min · Cambridge Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    33 m · 4 sec · Cambridge Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue

    49 m · 7 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Garden Street

    1679 ft · 1 min · Garden Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Concord Avenue

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Concord Avenue

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Brodette Memorial Circle

    14 m · 2 sec · Concord Avenue

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto Concord Avenue

    875 ft · 32 sec · Concord Avenue

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Alewife Brook Parkway

    1 km · 49 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

  11. 11

    Continue on Concord Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Concord Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Cambridge Turnpike

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike

  13. 13

    Continue on Concord Turnpike

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

  14. 14

    Continue on Elm Street

    1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Concord Rotary

    124 m · 5 sec · Union Turnpike

  16. 16

    Exit the rotary onto Union Turnpike

    3035 ft · 39 sec · Union Turnpike

  17. 17

    Continue on Massachusetts Avenue

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on George W Stanton Highway

    1406 ft · 22 sec · George W Stanton Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway

    11.2 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    18.6 mi · 26 min · Concord Turnpike

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A, MA 101: East Templeton, Ashburnham

    1461 ft · 41 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    127 m · 12 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Patriots Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Patriots Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Dudley Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Dudley Road

  25. 25

    Continue on Queen Lake Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Queen Lake Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Petersham Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Petersham Road

  27. 27

    Continue on Popple Camp Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Popple Camp Road

  28. 28

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  29. 29

    Turn sharp right onto Common Street

    56 m · 8 sec · Common Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Common Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Concord Turnpike
26.6 mi · 41%
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
11.2 mi · 17%
Massachusetts Avenue
6.27 mi · 10%
Cambridge Turnpike
3.33 mi · 5%
Concord Highway
2.88 mi · 4%
Queen Lake Road
2.58 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

18.6 mi · 00h 26m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.1 mi
55.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shirley
00h 50m from Cambridge
Leave By
3:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Cambridge and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Petersham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 64.8 miles (104.3 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Shirley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.4 miles from Cambridge and 32.5 miles from Petersham.

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

The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 3:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.91 one way or $17.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Shirley

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 Shirley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.9 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 5.6 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Nashua, NH

30 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

35 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

42 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Petersham. Straight-line distance: 55.69 mi (89.63 km).

Cambridge

#1 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

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

#2 Petersham

Town in Massachusetts

Population1,237
Coordinates42.4875900, -72.1870300
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Start: Cambridge (-71.10561, 42.3751)
End: Petersham (-72.18703, 42.48759)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 104 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.29 gal
8.66 L · about $8.91
Round trip
$17.82
4.58 gal · 17.32 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.7 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $8.91 $17.82
Mid-grade $4.40 $10.07 $20.14
Premium $4.80 $10.99 $21.98
Diesel $4.49 $10.28 $20.56

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Cambridge and Petersham. The current time is 17:43:40.

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.