How far is Cambridge, MA from Reading, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Reading, MA is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.4 miles (16.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m 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 22m.
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.
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
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 Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Reading.
-
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
-
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
Take the exit slight right toward I 93, MA 38: Medford, Boston
63 m · 6 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 93 North, MA 38 North: Medford, Concord New Hampshire
1509 ft · 49 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto Mystic Avenue
2646 ft · 57 sec · Mystic Avenue
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 93 North: Lawrence, Concord New Hampshire
2113 ft · 52 sec
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11
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 5 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MA 28 North: Stoneham, Melrose
1424 ft · 36 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Fellsway
1458 ft · 27 sec · Fellsway
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14
Continue on Main Street
4.1 mi · 7 min · Main Street
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15
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
2086 ft · 1 min · Pleasant Street
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16
Turn left onto Eaton Street
34 m · 5 sec · Eaton Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Eaton Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Reading.
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
4.08 mi · 00h 07m
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 Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Reading?
The road trip is about 12.1 miles (19.5 km) and usually takes 00h 22m 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?
Winchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.1 miles from Cambridge and 6.1 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.4 miles (16.8 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 7:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.67 one way or $3.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cambridge and Partly Sunny near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Winchester
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 Winchester.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Reading. Straight-line distance: 10.41 mi (16.76 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 Reading
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 25,535 |
| Coordinates | 42.5256500, -71.0953300 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: Reading (-71.09533, 42.52565)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $1.67 | $3.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $1.89 | $3.78 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $2.06 | $4.13 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $1.93 | $3.86 |
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.