Origin
Barnstable, MA
Afternoon in Barnstable on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Barnstable, MA to Waltham, MA
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
79.4 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barnstable, MA
www.kaboompics.com
Waltham, MA
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Trip Overview
Traveling from Barnstable to Waltham covers 79.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. This straightforward trip remains entirely within the Northeast region, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the drive. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to plan for overnight stays, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. Whether you are heading toward the Greater Boston area for business or a change of pace, this trip is efficient and easy to manage.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from Barnstable, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions through various road types as you head inland. The route relies on a mix of the Pilgrims Highway, the Mid Cape Highway, and MA 3, with highways accounting for only 19% of the total distance. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.3 miles while on the Pilgrims Highway, which serves as the primary fast-moving segment of your trip. Beyond that, the driving experience shifts toward more technical local maneuvering, requiring you to stay attentive as you navigate the transition from the Cape toward Waltham.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pilgrims Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 79.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (Albany Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward South Station, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward South Station, Airport
7
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward South Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward South Station
7
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
Albany Street
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Newton, Watertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 127
Toward Newton, Watertown
7
75.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Watertown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Watertown
Towns Along This Route
Between Barnstable, MA and Waltham, MA, road signs point toward Station, Airport and Worcester.
Station
68.2 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Airport
68.2 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Worcester
69.2 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pilgrims Highway | 42.3 mi | 53m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| MA 3 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Iyannough Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Phinneys Lane | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hyannis Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 42.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barnstable, MA and Waltham, MA.
1
Start on Bow Lane
185 ft
·
12 sec
·
Bow Lane
2
Turn left onto Hyannis Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Hyannis Road
3
Continue on Phinneys Lane
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Phinneys Lane
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto MA 132
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Iyannough Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence, RI
6
Merge onto US 6
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
7
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
8
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
9
Continue on MA 3
42 mi
·
53 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MA 3
Exit 43B
Toward I 93 North: Boston
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward South Station, Airport
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward South Station
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left
252 ft
·
15 sec
15
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Street
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
Albany Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, Worcester
17
Merge onto I 90
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 127
Toward Newton, Watertown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
268 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Watertown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto Centre Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Centre Street
21
Continue on Galen Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Galen Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn sharp left onto US 20
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 20
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever it best suits your personal schedule. While no formal stops are required for a 79.4-mile trip, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the final approach means you should stay alert during the latter half of the drive. Fuel up before you depart Barnstable to keep your $13 estimate accurate and avoid the stress of searching for a station mid-trip. Use the 42.3-mile stretch on the Pilgrims Highway to settle into a comfortable pace before you encounter the more demanding local roads as you near your destination.
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 39.7 miles from Barnstable, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 79.4 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waltham, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barnstable, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barnstable, MA
This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Barnstable, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Barnstable, MA · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 79.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Barnstable, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waltham, MA
The final approach into Waltham, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waltham, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.64 one way
$25.28 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.74 | $27.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.64 | $35.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.37
Massachusetts Turnpike
(6.1 mi)
$0.37
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
$13
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.34 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Waltham, MA
Afternoon in Waltham on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
40 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
1h 50m 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 Barnstable, MA to Waltham, MA covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, MA 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from Barnstable, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.64 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 79.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (Albany Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Barnstable, MA and Waltham, MA, road signs point toward Station, Airport and Worcester.
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