How far is Waltham, MA from Ipswich, MA?

The driving distance from Waltham, MA to Ipswich, MA is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29 miles (46.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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
38.6 mi
00h 59m
Flight
29 mi
46.67 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waltham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29 mi
Kilometers
46.67 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.6 mi
Kilometers
62.12 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ipswich
Wed, Jun 10, 1:49 PM EDT
Return by in Waltham
Wed, Jun 10, 2:48 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waltham
2026-06-10T12:50
Arrive Ipswich
Wed, Jun 10, 1:49 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waltham
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
Wakefield
MA

Town in Massachusetts

From Waltham
19.3 mi
00h 29m
To Ipswich
19.3 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Today

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 10 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SW
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Jun 10 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waltham and Ipswich.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waltham and Ipswich.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    56 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Church Street

    132 m · 13 sec · Church Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    120 m · 16 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Lexington Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Lexington Street

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Totten Pond Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Totten Pond Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Wyman Street

    1415 ft · 33 sec · Wyman Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1058 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    20.2 mi · 28 min · Yankee Division Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Topsfield

    2002 ft · 57 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Newbury Street

    2962 ft · 1 min · Newbury Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Boston Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Boston Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Boston Road

    3090 ft · 53 sec · Boston Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Boston Street

    153 m · 17 sec · Boston Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Ipswich Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Ipswich Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Topsfield Road

    3.7 mi · 7 min · Topsfield Road

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Depot Square

    119 m · 25 sec · Depot Square

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    30 m · 4 sec · Washington Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waltham and Ipswich.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Yankee Division Highway
20.2 mi · 52%
I 95 North
5.65 mi · 15%
Topsfield Road
3.72 mi · 10%
Boston Street
2.88 mi · 7%
Ipswich Road
1.83 mi · 5%
Totten Pond Road
1.24 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Yankee Division Highway

Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

20.2 mi · 00h 28m

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
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
29 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wakefield
00h 29m from Waltham
Leave By
4:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Waltham and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ipswich.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waltham to Ipswich?

The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?

Wakefield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.3 miles from Waltham and 19.3 miles from Ipswich.

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

The direct path is about 29 miles (46.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 4:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.29 one way or $10.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waltham and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ipswich.

Stop Ideas Near Wakefield

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 Wakefield and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 10.9 mi away

Cocobeet - Boston

Boston , MA
100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
Rating 4.4/5 198 reviews Health food restaurant,Juice shop,Raw food restaurant,Vegan restaurant
Boston's Old City Hall
Scenic stop 11 mi away

Boston's Old City Hall

Boston , MA
45 School St, Boston, MA 02108, United States
Rating 4.6/5 346 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 7.9 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , MA
93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
Rating 4.2/5 84 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 10.9 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Boston , MA
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203
Rating 4.4/5 208 reviews City park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

6 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

16 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

South Station

17 mi away
2 South Station
RAIL

Back Bay station

18 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waltham and Ipswich. Straight-line distance: 29 mi (46.67 km).

Waltham

#1 Waltham

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population62,069
Coordinates42.3764900, -71.2356100
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Ipswich

#2 Ipswich

Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

Population14,091
Coordinates42.6792600, -70.8411600
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Waltham (-71.23561, 42.37649)
End: Ipswich (-70.84116, 42.67926)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.36 gal
5.16 L · about $5.29
Round trip
$10.58
2.72 gal · 10.32 L
Estimated CO2
12.1 kg one way
Round trip: 24.2 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.29 $10.58
Mid-grade $4.40 $5.98 $11.96
Premium $4.80 $6.53 $13.05
Diesel $4.49 $6.10 $12.21

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 · Jun 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Waltham and Ipswich. The current time is 12:50:08.

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.