Origin
Bedford, MA
Morning in Bedford on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bedford, MA to Cambridge, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
27m
Distance
13.3 mi
21 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bedford, MA
Phil Evenden
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 13.3-mile drive from Bedford, MA to Cambridge, MA takes about 27 minutes and is perfect for a single day trip. You'll navigate primarily via Massachusetts Avenue and Concord Turnpike, with about 26% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is just $2, making it a budget-friendly excursion within the Northeast region. This drive is characterized by its frequent turns, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience rather than a straightforward cruise. It's an easy local hop that doesn't require an overnight stay.
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
6.7 miles from Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route. While 26% of the journey includes highway sections, you'll spend a significant portion navigating local roads, primarily along Massachusetts Avenue and Concord Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 3.1 miles on Massachusetts Avenue, offering a brief period of steady driving before the turns resume. This profile suggests a route that requires your attention, with transitions between faster highway speeds and more intricate local navigation.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 3.1 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 6.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 13.3 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 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 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.
6
6.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp toward MA 2 East: Cambridge, Boston
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 2 East: Cambridge, Boston
5
7.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Merge onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.3 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
10.7 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
13.2 mi into trip
|
~26m 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 Bedford, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Woburn and Medford.
Boston
6.8 mi in
|
~13m
Woburn
10.3 mi in
|
~18m
Medford
10.4 mi in
|
~18m
|
via US 3; MA 16
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Avenue | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| Concord Turnpike | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Bedford Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| The Great Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Beacon Street | 1 mi | 3m |
| Watertown Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Pleasant Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Alewife Brook Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Avenue
— 3.1 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on MA 4; MA 62; MA 225
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
The Great Road
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on MA 4; MA 225
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Bedford Street
3
At end of road, turn straight
83 ft
·
2 sec
4
Turn slight right onto MA 4; MA 225
456 ft
·
7 sec
·
Bedford Street
5
Continue on MA 4; MA 225
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
6
Turn right onto MA 4; MA 225
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Pleasant Street
7
Enter roundabout onto MA 4; MA 225
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
Watertown Street
8
Continue on MA 4; MA 225
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Watertown Street
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Cambridge, Boston
10
Continue on Concord Turnpike
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Concord Turnpike
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Cambridge, Boston
12
Merge onto MA 2
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
473 ft
·
13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
15
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cooney Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft
·
19 sec
·
Line Street
20
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 27-minute duration and 13.3-mile distance, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak local traffic times on Massachusetts Avenue is always a good idea. With a minimal fuel cost of $2, refueling is unlikely to be a major concern. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is so brief, focus on being alert for the numerous turns, especially the longest 3.1-mile segment on Massachusetts Avenue, to ensure a smooth arrival in Cambridge.
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 6.7 miles from Bedford, MA, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.1 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 13.3 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.7 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bedford, 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 Bedford, MA
This is one driving day of about 13.3 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bedford, 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 Massachusetts Avenue for about 3.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.7 mi from Bedford, MA · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.7 miles from Bedford, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambridge, MA
The final approach into Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, 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
$2.13 one way
$4.26 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
| premium | $4.82 | $2.53 | $5.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.94 | $5.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.19
Concord Turnpike
(2.7 mi)
$0.19
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
$2
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Morning in Cambridge on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
7 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.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
27m 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 Bedford, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 13.3 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Avenue, Concord Turnpike, Bedford Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.7 miles from Bedford, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.13 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 15 significant decision points across 13.3 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 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bedford, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Woburn and Medford.
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