How far is Needham, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Needham, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 16 miles (25.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m 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 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Needham and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Needham and Cambridge.
-
1
Start on Warren Street
61 m · 11 sec · Warren Street
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2
Turn right onto May Street
881 ft · 28 sec · May Street
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3
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Continue on Needham Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Needham Street
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5
Turn left onto Winchester Street
1183 ft · 24 sec · Winchester Street
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6
Continue on Centre Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Centre Street
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7
Continue on Centre Street
19 m · 4 sec · Centre Street
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8
Continue on Centre Street
2 mi · 5 min · Centre Street
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9
Continue on Washington Street
87 m · 7 sec · Washington Street
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street
92 m · 6 sec · Washington Street
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11
Continue on Saint James Street
55 m · 4 sec · Saint James Street
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Boston
1159 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
2.5 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
2628 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
872 ft · 23 sec
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16
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
55 m · 6 sec · Cambridge Street
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17
Continue on River Street
1.2 km · 2 min · River Street
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18
Continue on Prospect Street
2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street
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19
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street
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20
Continue on Cambridge Street
614 ft · 34 sec · Cambridge Street
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21
Turn right onto Line Street
1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street
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22
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Needham 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.
Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
2.49 mi · 00h 03m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Needham 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 Needham to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 16 miles (25.8 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Watertown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.8 miles from Needham and 10.2 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.22 one way or $4.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Needham and Partly Sunny near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Watertown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
Shoppers World
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Watertown.
Back Bay station
North Station
South Station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Needham and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 9.07 mi (14.6 km).
#1 Needham
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 31,537 |
| Coordinates | 42.2834300, -71.2328300 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| 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: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $2.22 | $4.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $2.51 | $5.01 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $2.74 | $5.47 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
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.