How far is Cambridge, MA from Townsend, MA?
The driving distance from Cambridge, MA to Townsend, MA is about 40 miles (64.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 12m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Townsend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Townsend.
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1
Start on Leonard Avenue
81 m · 14 sec · Leonard Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
1.1 km · 3 min · Cambridge Street
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3
Continue on Cambridge Street
33 m · 4 sec · Cambridge Street
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4
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
49 m · 7 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Garden Street
1679 ft · 1 min · Garden Street
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6
Continue on Concord Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Concord Avenue
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Brodette Memorial Circle
14 m · 2 sec · Concord Avenue
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8
Exit the rotary onto Concord Avenue
875 ft · 32 sec · Concord Avenue
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Alewife Brook Parkway
1 km · 49 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
4.1 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike
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11
Continue on Concord Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Concord Highway
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12
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike
3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike
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13
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike
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14
Continue on Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Concord Rotary
69 m · 3 sec · Elm Street
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16
Exit the rotary onto Elm Street
3128 ft · 60 sec · Elm Street
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17
Continue on Great Road
9.1 mi · 17 min · Great Road
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18
Continue on Boston Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Boston Road
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19
Continue on Main Street
1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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21
Continue on South Road
2264 ft · 48 sec · South Road
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22
Continue on South Street
121 m · 8 sec · South Street
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23
Continue on South Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · South Road
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24
Continue on Town Line Road
539 ft · 12 sec · Town Line Road
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25
Continue on Main Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Main Street
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26
Turn right onto Brookline Street
28 m · 11 sec · Brookline Street
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27
Continue on Brookline Street
8 m · 1 sec · Brookline Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Brookline Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Townsend.
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.
Great Road
Continue on Great Road
9.11 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Cambridge and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Townsend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Townsend?
The road trip is about 40 miles (64.3 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Acton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Cambridge and 20 miles from Townsend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.48 one way or $10.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Cambridge and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Townsend.
Stop Ideas Near Acton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Acton.
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Back Bay station
North Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Townsend. Straight-line distance: 36.58 mi (58.87 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 Townsend
Town in Massachusetts, USA
| Population | 9,448 |
| Coordinates | 42.6667600, -71.7050700 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Townsend (-71.70507, 42.66676)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $5.48 | $10.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $6.20 | $12.40 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $6.77 | $13.53 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $6.33 | $12.66 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.