How far is Northampton, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Northampton, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m 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 46m.
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 Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Northampton and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northampton and Cambridge.
-
1
Start on Bancroft Road
641 ft · 34 sec · Bancroft Road
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2
Turn left onto Crescent Street
1031 ft · 50 sec · Crescent Street
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3
Turn left onto Elm Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Elm Street
-
4
Turn slight right onto New South Street
556 ft · 10 sec · New South Street
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5
Continue on South Street
551 ft · 17 sec · South Street
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6
Turn left onto Old South Street
675 ft · 18 sec · Old South Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Conz Street
2477 ft · 49 sec · Conz Street
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Tom Road
15 m · 1 sec · Mount Tom Road
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Tom Road
689 ft · 13 sec · Mount Tom Road
-
10
Take the ramp slight right
2223 ft · 54 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
10.7 mi · 12 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Toll: Boston, Albany NY
1.5 km · 3 min
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 90
1073 ft · 26 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Worcester, Boston
2734 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
84.6 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
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16
Take the exit slight left toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
2628 ft · 1 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
872 ft · 23 sec
-
18
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
55 m · 6 sec · Cambridge Street
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19
Continue on River Street
1.2 km · 2 min · River Street
-
20
Continue on Prospect Street
2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street
-
21
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street
-
22
Continue on Cambridge Street
614 ft · 30 sec · Cambridge Street
-
23
Turn right onto Line Street
1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street
-
24
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northampton 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.
Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
84.6 mi · 01h 39m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Northampton 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 Northampton to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Charlton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Northampton and 50.9 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 2:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.97 one way or $27.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Northampton and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Charlton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Charlton.
Union Station
Framingham station
Amherst, Massachusetts
Springfield Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northampton and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 78.49 mi (126.31 km).
#1 Northampton
County seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 28,362 |
| Coordinates | 42.3250900, -72.6412000 |
| Altitude | 76 |
| 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: 164 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $13.97 | $27.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $15.79 | $31.57 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $17.23 | $34.46 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $16.11 | $32.22 |
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.