How far is Northborough, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Northborough, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 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 00h 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.
Census-designated place in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Northborough and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northborough and Cambridge.
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1
Start on the route
14 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
106 m · 20 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto South Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Street
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4
Continue on Milk Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Milk Street
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5
Take the ramp right
128 m · 12 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Turnpike Road
7.3 mi · 11 min · Turnpike Road
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7
Continue on Worcester Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Worcester Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 90 West: Masspike, Springfield, Boston
1880 ft · 46 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East
1600 ft · 39 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
19.1 mi · 24 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight left toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
2628 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
872 ft · 23 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
55 m · 6 sec · Cambridge Street
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14
Continue on River Street
1.2 km · 2 min · River Street
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15
Continue on Prospect Street
2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street
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16
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street
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17
Continue on Cambridge Street
614 ft · 30 sec · Cambridge Street
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18
Turn right onto Line Street
1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street
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19
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northborough 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
19.1 mi · 00h 24m
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 leaving Northborough and Rain Showers near Cambridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Northborough to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 36.2 miles (58.3 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Cochituate is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Northborough and 19.6 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Northborough and Rain Showers near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Cochituate
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 Cochituate.
Framingham station
Route 128 station
Back Bay station
North Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northborough and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 27.62 mi (44.45 km).
#1 Northborough
City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States of America
| Population | 15,038 |
| Coordinates | 42.3195400, -71.6411800 |
| Altitude | 91 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $5.63 | $11.26 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $5.74 | $11.49 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.