How far is Canton, MA from Waltham, MA?

Fastest route

Here are some tips and suggestions for your journey from Canton, Massachusetts to Waltham, Massachusetts, which is approximately 21.1 miles (34 kilometers) long via I-95 W. The estimated travel time is around 32 minutes.

Directions

  1. Take I-93 S/US-1 S from Washington St: Head southeast toward Washington St, then turn left onto Washington St. After that, merge onto I-93 S/US-1 S toward Dedham 1-95.

  2. Continue on I-95 W: Stay on I-95 W until you reach MA-30 W in Weston. Take exit 39A-B from I-95 W.

  3. Take exit 39A-B for MA-30 W: Follow the signs for MA-30 W.

  4. Use River Rd, South St, and Charles St: Follow MA-30 W and take River Rd, South St, and Charles St to Main St in Waltham.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan Ahead: Check the traffic conditions and plan your departure accordingly to avoid potential delays.

  • 🛣️ Optimize Route: Utilize I-95 W, the fastest route, to save time.

  • ⛽ Fuel Up: Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.

  • 🚧 Check Road Closures: Before you set off, verify for any road closures or construction updates that may affect your route.

  • 🕑 Allow Extra Time: Consider adding extra time to your travel plans in case of unexpected delays.

  • 🗺️ GPS Navigation: Use a reliable GPS navigation app to help you stay on track throughout your journey.

  • ☕ Take Breaks: If the trip is long, take short breaks to stretch your legs and stay refreshed during the drive.

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
19.61 mi
00h 30m
Flight
15.76 mi
25.37 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Canton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
15.76 mi
Kilometers
25.37 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
19.61 mi
Kilometers
31.56 km
Drive Time
00h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waltham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:57 AM EDT
Return by in Canton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:28 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Canton
2026-04-23T02:26
Arrive Waltham
Thu, Apr 23, 2:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:31 AM to 7:31 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Canton
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
Needham
MA

Town in Massachusetts

From Canton
9.4 mi
00h 15m
To Waltham
10.2 mi
00h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Canton and Waltham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canton and Waltham.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    15 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    26 m · 6 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right

    54 m · 15 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Dedham Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Dedham Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Canton Street

    714 ft · 14 sec · Canton Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · University Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight

    931 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    10.6 mi · 14 min · Yankee Division Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Grove Street

    155 m · 14 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Grove Street, MBTA Station, Auburndale

    131 m · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Grove Street

    2851 ft · 1 min · Grove Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Grove Street

    2089 ft · 44 sec · Grove Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Grove Street

    46 m · 5 sec · Grove Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Auburn Street

    95 m · 6 sec · Auburn Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Lexington Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lexington Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Moody Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Moody Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    125 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Canton and Waltham.

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
96.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Yankee Division Highway
10.6 mi · 54%
Dedham Street
1.9 mi · 10%
University Avenue
1.53 mi · 8%
Grove Street
1.14 mi · 6%
Moody Street
1.13 mi · 6%
Washington Street
1.11 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Yankee Division Highway

Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

10.6 mi · 00h 14m

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 30m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
15.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Needham
00h 15m from Canton
Leave By
7:28 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Canton and Partly Sunny near Waltham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Canton to Waltham?

The road trip is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?

Needham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from Canton and 10.2 miles from Waltham.

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

The direct path is about 15.8 miles (25.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.68 one way or $5.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Canton and Partly Sunny near Waltham.

Stop Ideas Near Needham

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 Needham and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 10 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 9.9 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
Cambridge City Hall
Meeting point 8.8 mi away

Cambridge City Hall

Cambridge , MA
795 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Rating 4.4/5 47 reviews City Hall,City government office
Shoppers World
Nearby stop 10 mi away

Shoppers World

Framingham , MA
1 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01701, United States
Rating 4.3/5 2,625 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Route 128 station

11 mi away
50 University Ave
RAIL

Framingham station

15 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Back Bay station

15 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

16 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Canton and Waltham. Straight-line distance: 15.76 mi (25.37 km).

Canton

#1 Canton

Town in Massachusetts, United States

Population24,029
Coordinates42.1584300, -71.1447700
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Waltham

#2 Waltham

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population62,069
Coordinates42.3764900, -71.2356100
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: (-71.144742, 42.158488)
End: Main Street (-71.235588, 42.376412)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 32 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.69 gal
2.62 L · about $2.68
Round trip
$5.37
1.38 gal · 5.24 L
Estimated CO2
6.1 kg one way
Round trip: 12.3 kg / 27 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $2.68 $5.37
Mid-grade $4.40 $3.03 $6.07
Premium $4.80 $3.31 $6.62
Diesel $4.49 $3.10 $6.19

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

There is no time difference between Canton and Waltham. The current time is 02:26:55.

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.