How far is Chelmsford, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Chelmsford, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 27.7 miles (44.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m 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 41m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chelmsford and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chelmsford and Cambridge.
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1
Start on Clover Hill Drive
961 ft · 45 sec · Clover Hill Drive
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2
Turn right onto Westford Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Westford Street
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3
Turn left onto Academy Street
111 m · 12 sec · Academy Street
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4
Turn right onto North Road
152 m · 17 sec · North Road
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5
Turn left onto Littleton Road
67 m · 8 sec · Littleton Road
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6
Continue on Billerica Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Billerica Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward US 3 South: Burlington
2365 ft · 58 sec
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8
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
1 mi · 2 min
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10
Keep slight left
1528 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 3 South: Winchester
1045 ft · 32 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Cambridge Street
2354 ft · 35 sec · Cambridge Street
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14
Continue on Cambridge Road
2 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road
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15
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.9 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Street
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16
Continue on Mystic Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Mystic Street
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17
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
849 ft · 32 sec · Chestnut Street
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18
Turn right onto Warren Street
2806 ft · 2 min · Warren Street
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19
Turn straight onto Broadway
2555 ft · 51 sec · Broadway
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20
Turn right onto Alewife Brook Parkway
2340 ft · 1 min · Alewife Brook Parkway
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21
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
1177 ft · 54 sec · Somerville Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Beacon Street
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24
Turn right onto Cooney Street
90 m · 13 sec · Cooney Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto Line Street
90 m · 19 sec · Line Street
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26
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chelmsford and Cambridge.
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.
US 3 South
Merge slight left
8.51 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Chelmsford and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Cambridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chelmsford to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 27.7 miles (44.5 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?
Burlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Chelmsford and 15.3 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.81 one way or $7.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Chelmsford and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Burlington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burlington.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chelmsford and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 20.46 mi (32.93 km).
#1 Chelmsford
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 35,528 |
| Coordinates | 42.5998100, -71.3672800 |
| Altitude | 75 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cambridge
The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 119,192 |
| Coordinates | 42.3751000, -71.1056100 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $4.70 | $9.41 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $4.40 | $8.80 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.