How far is Petersham, MA from Cambridge, MA?

The driving distance from Petersham, MA to Cambridge, MA is about 64.4 miles (103.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.38 mi
01h 23m
Flight
55.69 mi
89.63 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Petersham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.69 mi
Kilometers
89.63 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.38 mi
Kilometers
103.61 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cambridge
Wed, Apr 15, 6:55 PM EDT
Return by in Petersham
Wed, Apr 15, 8:19 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Petersham
2026-04-15T17:31
Arrive Cambridge
Wed, Apr 15, 6:55 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Petersham
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Shirley
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Petersham
32.2 mi
00h 41m
To Cambridge
32.2 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Today

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Petersham and Cambridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Petersham and Cambridge.

  1. 1

    Start on Common Street

    56 m · 16 sec · Common Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Popple Camp Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Popple Camp Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Petersham Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Petersham Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Queen Lake Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Queen Lake Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Dudley Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Dudley Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Patriots Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Patriots Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right

    2367 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 24 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    12.6 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike

  11. 11

    Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Union Turnpike

    3019 ft · 2 min · Union Turnpike

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Concord Rotary

    100 m · 4 sec · Elm Street

  14. 14

    Exit the rotary onto Elm Street

    1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Concord Turnpike

    3.7 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike

  16. 16

    Continue on Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2

  17. 17

    Continue on Concord Highway

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Concord Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Concord Turnpike

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn

    144 m · 14 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight right onto Alewife Brook Parkway

    1781 ft · 51 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Somerville Avenue

    1177 ft · 56 sec · Somerville Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Beacon Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · Beacon Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Cooney Street

    90 m · 13 sec · Cooney Street

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Line Street

    90 m · 19 sec · Line Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

    140 m · 20 sec · Leonard Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leonard Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Petersham and Cambridge.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
27 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Concord Turnpike
19.8 mi · 31%
Patriots Road
18.6 mi · 29%
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.26 mi · 10%
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.51 mi · 5%
Concord Highway
3.43 mi · 5%
Queen Lake Road
2.58 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Patriots Road

Merge slight left

17.2 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
55.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shirley
00h 41m from Petersham
Leave By
3:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Petersham and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Cambridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Petersham to Cambridge?

The road trip is about 64.4 miles (103.6 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Shirley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.2 miles from Petersham and 32.2 miles from Cambridge.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 3:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.83 one way or $17.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Petersham and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Cambridge.

Stop Ideas Near Shirley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Shirley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shirley.

BUS

Nashua, NH

30 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

35 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

42 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Petersham and Cambridge. Straight-line distance: 55.69 mi (89.63 km).

Petersham

#1 Petersham

Town in Massachusetts

Population1,237
Coordinates42.4875900, -72.1870300
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Cambridge

#2 Cambridge

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population119,192
Coordinates42.3751000, -71.1056100
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: Common Street (-72.186713, 42.487742)
End: Leonard Avenue (-71.105735, 42.375115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 104 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.27 gal
8.6 L · about $8.83
Round trip
$17.66
4.54 gal · 17.2 L
Estimated CO2
20.2 kg one way
Round trip: 40.3 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $8.83 $17.66
Mid-grade $4.40 $9.98 $19.96
Premium $4.80 $10.89 $21.79
Diesel $4.49 $10.19 $20.38

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Petersham and Cambridge. The current time is 17:31:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.