How far is Norwood, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance from Norwood, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m 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 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norwood and Cambridge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwood and Cambridge.
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1
Start on Central Street
22 m · 9 sec · Central Street
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2
Turn right onto Nahatan Street
68 m · 9 sec · Nahatan Street
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3
Turn right onto Washington Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Washington Street
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4
Continue on Upland Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Upland Road
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5
Continue on Washington Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Washington Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Washington Street
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7
Turn left
67 m · 10 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Providence Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Providence Highway
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9
Continue on Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
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10
Turn left onto Independence Drive
2415 ft · 1 min · Independence Drive
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11
Continue on Grove Street
901 ft · 20 sec · Grove Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Franklin Park Circle
77 m · 4 sec · Grove Street
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13
Exit the rotary onto Grove Street
1931 ft · 43 sec · Grove Street
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14
Continue on Newton Street
1731 ft · 37 sec · Newton Street
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15
Turn left onto Clyde Street
1770 ft · 41 sec · Clyde Street
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16
Continue on Lee Street
3260 ft · 1 min · Lee Street
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17
Continue on Lee Street
1986 ft · 49 sec · Lee Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Boylston Street
130 m · 12 sec · Boylston Street
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19
Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Chestnut Hill Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Sutherland Road
66 m · 14 sec · Sutherland Road
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21
Continue on Sutherland Road
2157 ft · 1 min · Sutherland Road
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22
Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue
1.2 km · 3 min · Commonwealth Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Allston Street
2006 ft · 1 min · Allston Street
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24
Turn right onto Brighton Avenue
641 ft · 31 sec · Brighton Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Harvard Avenue
964 ft · 37 sec · Harvard Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Cambridge Street
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27
Continue on River Street
1.2 km · 2 min · River Street
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28
Continue on Prospect Street
2916 ft · 2 min · Prospect Street
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29
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
749 ft · 34 sec · Hampshire Street
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30
Continue on Cambridge Street
614 ft · 34 sec · Cambridge Street
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31
Turn right onto Line Street
1062 ft · 52 sec · Line Street
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32
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norwood 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.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
Continue on Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
2.78 mi · 00h 04m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Norwood and Mostly Cloudy near Cambridge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norwood to Cambridge?
The road trip is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?
Jamaica Plain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8 miles from Norwood and 15.6 miles from Cambridge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.23 one way or $6.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Norwood and Mostly Cloudy near Cambridge.
Stop Ideas Near Jamaica Plain
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 Jamaica Plain.
Back Bay station
South Station
North Station
Route 128 station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Norwood and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 13.37 mi (21.51 km).
#1 Norwood
Town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 29,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.1945400, -71.1995000 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| 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: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $3.65 | $7.30 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $3.98 | $7.97 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $3.73 | $7.45 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.