Origin
Ayer, MA
Late night in Ayer on Thursday
Local time
1:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ayer, MA to Cambridge, MA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
52m
Distance
31.2 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ayer, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ayer, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 31.2 miles and takes about 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway, Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 7.2 miles on Concord Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
15.6 miles from Ayer, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Ayer, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 31.2 miles and takes about 52m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Concord Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near MA 2A; MA 110 / Littleton Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (MA 2A; MA 110 / Littleton Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.3 miles (MA 2 / George W Stanton Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MA 2A; MA 110 / Littleton Road
Enter roundabout onto MA 2A; MA 110 / Littleton Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
6.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
MA 2 / George W Stanton Highway
Merge onto MA 2 / George W Stanton Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
28.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
6
31.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ayer, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Woburn and Medford.
Boston
6.1 mi in
|
~10m
Woburn
28.2 mi in
|
~43m
Medford
28.3 mi in
|
~43m
|
via US 3; MA 16
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Turnpike | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Captain Isaac Davis Highway | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2 | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Concord Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Littleton Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Ayer Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Massachusetts Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Taylor Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 7.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ayer, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on MA 2A; MA 111
398 ft
·
11 sec
·
Park Street
2
Turn left onto MA 2A; MA 111
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on MA 2A; MA 111
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Harvard Road
4
Enter roundabout onto MA 2A; MA 110
425 ft
·
7 sec
·
Littleton Road
5
Continue on MA 2A; MA 110
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Littleton Road
6
Continue on MA 2A; MA 110
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Ayer Road
7
Turn right onto King Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
King Street
8
Turn left onto Taylor Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Taylor Street
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Concord, Boston
10
Merge onto MA 2
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
George W Stanton Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Turnpike
13
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft
·
4 sec
·
Elm Street
14
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Elm Street
15
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Concord Turnpike
16
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
17
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Highway
18
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
473 ft
·
13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
21
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cooney Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft
·
19 sec
·
Line Street
26
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.6 miles from Ayer, MA, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 31 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.6 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Ayer, MA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ayer, MA
This is one driving day of about 31.2 miles and 52m.
At 31.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 7.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.6 mi from Ayer, MA · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.6 miles from Ayer, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambridge, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cambridge, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.99 one way
$9.99 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.45 | $10.89 |
| premium | $4.82 | $5.92 | $11.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.79
Concord Turnpike
(3.7 mi)
$0.26
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
(3.5 mi)
$0.25
Concord Turnpike
(3.5 mi)
$0.24
Union Turnpike
(0.6 mi)
$0.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.28 | $1.50 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Late night in Cambridge on Thursday
Local time
1:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Lexington, MA
16 mi in
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ayer, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 31.2 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway, Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.6 miles from Ayer, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (MA 2A; MA 110 / Littleton Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.3 miles (MA 2 / George W Stanton Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ayer, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Woburn and Medford.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cambridge, MA
More from Ayer, MA
More trips to Cambridge, MA
Explore more options from Ayer, MA or browse trips ending in Cambridge, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
Explore maps for Ayer, MA or Cambridge, MA on MapSof.net.