How far is Northfield, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Northfield, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 83 miles (133.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.1 miles (116 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m 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 41m.
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.
The county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts.
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 Northfield and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northfield and Cambridge.
-
1
Start on School Street
644 ft · 34 sec · School Street
-
2
Turn left onto Main Street
3268 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto Maple Street
1 mi · 2 min · Maple Street
-
4
Continue on Gulf Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · Gulf Road
-
5
Continue on North Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Street
-
6
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
-
7
Continue on Mohawk Trail
36.1 mi · 50 min · Mohawk Trail
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
12.6 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike
-
9
Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
-
10
Continue on Union Turnpike
3019 ft · 2 min · Union Turnpike
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Concord Rotary
100 m · 4 sec · Elm Street
-
12
Exit the rotary onto Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
-
13
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.7 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
-
14
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
-
15
Continue on Concord Highway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Concord Highway
-
16
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.5 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
-
17
Take the exit slight left toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
144 m · 14 sec
-
18
Merge slight right onto Alewife Brook Parkway
1781 ft · 51 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway
-
19
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
1177 ft · 54 sec · Somerville Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Beacon Street
-
22
Turn right onto Cooney Street
90 m · 13 sec · Cooney Street
-
23
At the end of the road, turn right onto Line Street
90 m · 19 sec · Line Street
-
24
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northfield 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.
Mohawk Trail
Continue on Mohawk Trail
36.1 mi · 00h 50m
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 Northfield 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 Northfield to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 83 miles (133.5 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Fitchburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.5 miles from Northfield and 41.4 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.1 miles (116 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.40 one way or $22.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Northfield and Light Rain Likely near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Fitchburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Leominster City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fitchburg.
Nashua, NH
Union Station
Framingham station
Manchester, New Hampshire
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northfield and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 72.09 mi (116.01 km).
#1 Northfield
Town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 2,958 |
| Coordinates | 42.6959200, -72.4528700 |
| Altitude | 90 |
| 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: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $12.88 | $25.77 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $14.06 | $28.12 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $13.15 | $26.30 |
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.