How far is Cambridge, MA from Swampscott, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Swampscott, MA is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 51m 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 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Swampscott.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Swampscott.
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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
1.3 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street
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4
Merge slight left onto Monsignor O'Brien Highway
755 ft · 28 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway
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5
Turn left onto Charlestown Avenue
1355 ft · 38 sec · Charlestown Avenue
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6
Continue on Austin Street
882 ft · 23 sec · Austin Street
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7
Turn right
42 m · 5 sec
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8
Turn right onto New Rutherford Avenue
830 ft · 14 sec · New Rutherford Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge
1952 ft · 50 sec
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10
Merge slight right
1.9 mi · 2 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Fourth Street
84 m · 9 sec
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12
Turn right onto Fourth Street
607 ft · 22 sec · Fourth Street
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13
Continue on Fourth Street
32 m · 5 sec · Fourth Street
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14
Turn straight onto Hawthorn Street
616 ft · 10 sec · Hawthorn Street
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15
Continue on Broadway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Broadway
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16
Turn right
120 m · 6 sec
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17
Continue straight
138 m · 8 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Revere Beach Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Revere Beach Parkway
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mahoney Circle
2 m · 1 sec · Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
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20
Exit the rotary onto Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
2353 ft · 34 sec · Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Butler Circle
114 m · 5 sec · North Shore Road
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22
Exit the rotary onto North Shore Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · North Shore Road
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23
Continue on Lynnway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Lynnway
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Nahant Circle
673 ft · 9 sec · Lynn Shore Drive
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25
Exit the rotary onto Lynn Shore Drive
1.1 mi · 1 min · Lynn Shore Drive
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26
Continue on Humphrey Street
904 ft · 19 sec · Humphrey Street
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27
Turn left onto Monument Avenue
127 m · 13 sec · Monument Avenue
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Elmwood Road
54 m · 6 sec · Elmwood Road
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Elmwood Road
126 m · 20 sec · Elmwood Road
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30
Turn right onto Hardy Road
128 m · 19 sec · Hardy Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hardy Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Swampscott.
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.
North Shore Road
Exit the rotary onto North Shore Road
2.63 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.
Rain Showers leaving Cambridge and Rain Showers near Swampscott.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Swampscott?
The road trip is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km) and usually takes 00h 25m 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?
Revere is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.1 miles from Cambridge and 7.1 miles from Swampscott.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.7 miles (18.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.5 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 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.95 one way or $3.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Cambridge and Rain Showers near Swampscott.
Stop Ideas Near Revere
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 Revere.
North Station
South Station
Back Bay station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Swampscott. Straight-line distance: 11.66 mi (18.76 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 Swampscott
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 15,462 |
| Coordinates | 42.4709300, -70.9175500 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Swampscott (-70.91755, 42.47093)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $1.95 | $3.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $2.20 | $4.40 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $2.40 | $4.80 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $2.24 | $4.49 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.