How far is Gardner, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Gardner, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m 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 06m.
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 Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gardner and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gardner and Cambridge.
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1
Start on the route
29 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Nichols Street
1206 ft · 41 sec · Nichols Street
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3
Turn left onto Baker Street
550 ft · 15 sec · Baker Street
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4
Continue on Willow Street
115 m · 13 sec · Willow Street
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5
Turn right onto Main Street
623 ft · 18 sec · Main Street
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6
Continue on Timpany Boulevard
636 ft · 13 sec · Timpany Boulevard
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Timpany Boulevard
537 ft · 11 sec · Timpany Boulevard
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward American Legion Circle
793 ft · 16 sec
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9
Exit the rotary
1412 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 20 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
12.6 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike
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12
Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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13
Continue on Union Turnpike
3019 ft · 2 min · Union Turnpike
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Concord Rotary
100 m · 4 sec · Elm Street
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15
Exit the rotary onto Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
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16
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.7 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
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17
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
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18
Continue on Concord Highway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Concord Highway
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19
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.5 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight left toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
144 m · 14 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto Alewife Brook Parkway
1781 ft · 51 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway
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22
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
1177 ft · 54 sec · Somerville Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Beacon Street
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25
Turn right onto Cooney Street
90 m · 13 sec · Cooney Street
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Line Street
90 m · 19 sec · Line Street
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27
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gardner and Cambridge.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
American Legion Circle
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 00h 20m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Gardner and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gardner to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Littleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.1 miles from Gardner and 26.2 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.5 miles (76.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.20 one way or $14.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Gardner and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Lowell City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton.
Nashua, NH
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gardner and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 47.53 mi (76.5 km).
#1 Gardner
City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 20,585 |
| Coordinates | 42.5750900, -71.9981300 |
| Altitude | 324 |
| 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: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $7.20 | $14.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $8.13 | $16.27 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $8.88 | $17.76 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $8.30 | $16.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.