How far is Franklin, MA from Cambridge, MA?

The driving distance from Franklin, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
43.62 mi
00h 52m
Flight
25.06 mi
40.33 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.06 mi
Kilometers
40.33 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.62 mi
Kilometers
70.2 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cambridge
Thu, Apr 23, 4:23 AM EDT
Return by in Franklin
Thu, Apr 23, 5:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-04-23T03:30
Arrive Cambridge
Thu, Apr 23, 4:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Dover
MA

Town of the United States

From Franklin
15.4 mi
00h 26m
To Cambridge
28.2 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Cambridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Cambridge.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Depot Street

    78 m · 14 sec · Depot Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Lincoln Street

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Sanford Street

    795 ft · 18 sec · Sanford Street

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Village Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Village Street

  7. 7

    Turn right

    37 m · 13 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Norfolk Road

    126 m · 7 sec · Norfolk Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Village Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Village Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1899 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Dover Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Dover Road

  12. 12

    Continue on West Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Street

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Harding Street

    87 m · 6 sec · Harding Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Harding Street

    46 m · 4 sec · Harding Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Centre Street

    2.6 mi · 7 min · Centre Street

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Centre Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Centre Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Central Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Noyes Street

    91 m · 17 sec · Noyes Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Great Plain Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Great Plain Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Chapel Street

    996 ft · 22 sec · Chapel Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Highland Avenue

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Highland Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Needham Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Needham Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Winchester Street

    1183 ft · 22 sec · Winchester Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Centre Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Centre Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Centre Street

    19 m · 4 sec · Centre Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Centre Street

    2 mi · 5 min · Centre Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Washington Street

    87 m · 7 sec · Washington Street

  29. 29

    Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street

    92 m · 6 sec · Washington Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Saint James Street

    55 m · 4 sec · Saint James Street

  31. 31

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Boston

    1159 ft · 28 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight left toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park

    2628 ft · 1 min

  34. 34

    Keep slight right to continue on Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park

    872 ft · 23 sec

  35. 35

    Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street

    55 m · 6 sec · Cambridge Street

  36. 36

    Continue on River Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · River Street

  37. 37

    Continue on Prospect Street

    2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Hampshire Street

    749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street

  39. 39

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    614 ft · 30 sec · Cambridge Street

  40. 40

    Turn right onto Line Street

    1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street

  41. 41

    Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

    140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Cambridge.

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
42 steps
19 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
96.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Centre Street
6.61 mi · 15%
Village Street
4.09 mi · 9%
Lincoln Street
3.33 mi · 8%
Massachusetts Turnpike
2.49 mi · 6%
Highland Avenue
2.11 mi · 5%
Central Avenue
2.06 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Street

Continue on Lincoln Street

3.33 mi · 00h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
25 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dover
00h 26m from Franklin
Leave By
4:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Franklin and Partly Sunny near Cambridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Cambridge?

The road trip is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?

Dover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from Franklin and 28.2 miles from Cambridge.

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

The direct path is about 25 miles (40.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 4:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.99 one way or $11.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Franklin and Partly Sunny near Cambridge.

Stop Ideas Near Dover

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 Dover and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 13.4 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 13.4 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 11.9 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 7 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 Dover.

RAIL

Route 128 station

12 mi away
50 University Ave
RAIL

Framingham station

12 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Back Bay station

20 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

North Station

22 mi away
100 Legends Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 25.06 mi (40.33 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

Town in Massachusetts, United States

Population34,711
Coordinates42.0834300, -71.3967300
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
Cambridge

#2 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: (-71.396695, 42.083398)
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 70 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.54 gal
5.83 L · about $5.99
Round trip
$11.98
3.08 gal · 11.66 L
Estimated CO2
13.7 kg one way
Round trip: 27.4 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.99 $11.98
Mid-grade $4.40 $6.77 $13.54
Premium $4.80 $7.39 $14.78
Diesel $4.49 $6.91 $13.82

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 Franklin and Cambridge. The current time is 03:30:38.

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.