Trip from Cambridge, MA to Ashburnham, MA

Drive Time

1h 23m

Distance

50.1 mi

81 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min

4 AM

1h 17m ★

6 AM

1h 23m

8 AM

1h 36m

10 AM

1h 28m

12 PM

1h 26m

3 PM

1h 28m

5 PM

1h 35m

8 PM

1h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cambridge, MA

Phil Evenden

Ashburnham, MA

TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY

Trip Overview

Traveling from Cambridge to Ashburnham covers 50.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $8, you can easily manage the trek in one go without worrying about multiple stops. The route transitions from the dense urban surroundings of the Northeast to the more rural landscape of Ashburnham. Whether you are heading out for a weekend change of pace or a quick getaway, the simplicity of this 50-mile journey makes it an accessible choice for any driver.

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

25.1 miles from Cambridge, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with local road navigation. You will spend about 33% of your journey on highways, including a notable 11.8-mile stretch on the Concord Turnpike. While the route begins with faster highway segments, it eventually shifts into more localized transit via the Captain Isaac Davis Highway and Massachusetts Avenue. This combination ensures you aren't stuck on a monotonous interstate for the entire duration, offering a varied pace behind the wheel. You’ll feel the character of the road change as you move away from the metropolitan density of Cambridge toward the quieter environment of your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 35 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 11.8 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 0.1 miles in near Cambridge Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 50.1 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 0.1 miles (Cambridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Garden Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 3; MA 2; MA 16 / Concord Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Cambridge Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | Garden Street

Turn right onto Garden Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

2.2 mi into trip | ~7m in | US 3; MA 2; MA 16 / Concord Avenue

Enter roundabout onto US 3; MA 2; MA 16 / Concord Avenue toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

2.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | US 3; MA 2; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3; MA 2; MA 16 / Alewife Brook Parkway toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

3 mi into trip | ~9m in | MA 2 / Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike toward MA 2 West: Concord

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward MA 2 West: Concord

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Concord Turnpike	11.8 mi	17m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway	11.2 mi	15m
Massachusetts Avenue	6.3 mi	9m
Cambridge Turnpike	3.3 mi	5m
Concord Highway	2.9 mi	3m
Ashburnham State Road	2.3 mi	4m
Fitchburg Road	1.7 mi	2m
Water Street	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Concord Turnpike — 11.8 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and Ashburnham, MA.

Start on Leonard Avenue

267 ft · 13 sec · Leonard Avenue

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Cambridge Street

108 ft · 4 sec · Cambridge Street

Turn left onto MA 2A

162 ft · 7 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

Turn right onto Garden Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Garden Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Concord Avenue

1.1 mi · 3 min · Concord Avenue

Use the left lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 3; MA 2; MA 16

45 ft · 1 sec · Concord Avenue

Toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

Continue on US 3; MA 2; MA 16

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Concord Avenue

Toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3; MA 2; MA 16

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway

Toward MA 2 West, US 3 North, MA 16 East Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

4.1 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike

Toward MA 2 West: Concord Use the straight lane.

Continue on MA 2

2.9 mi · 3 min · Concord Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on MA 2

3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Continue on MA 2; MA 2A

3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Continue on MA 2; MA 2A

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Elm Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 111

407 ft · 5 sec · Union Turnpike

Continue on MA 2; MA 111

0.6 mi · 39 sec · Union Turnpike

Continue on MA 2; MA 111

6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Continue on MA 2

0.3 mi · 21 sec · George W Stanton Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on MA 2

11 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

3.8 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike

Turn right onto Abbott Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Abbott Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto MA 12

1.6 mi · 2 min · Water Street

Turn left onto MA 2A; MA 12

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Laurel Street

Turn slight right onto MA 2A; MA 12

1.1 mi · 1 min · Kimball Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 2A; MA 12; MA 31

71 ft · 3 sec · River Street

Continue on MA 2A; MA 12; MA 31

0.9 mi · 2 min · River Street

Turn right onto Mayland Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Mayland Street

Continue on Fairview Street

508 ft · 28 sec · Fairview Street

Turn left onto Westminster Hill Road

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Westminster Hill Road

Turn right onto MA 12

1.4 mi · 3 min · Ashburnham Street

Continue on MA 12

2.3 mi · 4 min · Ashburnham State Road

Continue on MA 12

1.7 mi · 2 min · Fitchburg Road

Continue on MA 12

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Main Street North

Turn right onto MA 101

136 ft · 2 sec · Water Street

Arrive at destination

MA 101

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 23-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. To avoid potential congestion near the Cambridge area, consider heading out during off-peak morning or afternoon hours. Because the entire trip is only 50.1 miles, you likely won't need to plan for formal rest stops, though keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving ensures a stress-free ride. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert as you transition between the Concord Turnpike and the local segments of Massachusetts Avenue, as the driving environment shifts quickly. Keeping your navigation handy will assist you in navigating these road changes smoothly.

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 25.1 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 41m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.8 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 50.1 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 25.1 miles or 41m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashburnham, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MA

This is one driving day of about 50.1 miles and 1h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cambridge, 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 Concord Turnpike for about 11.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.1 mi from Cambridge, MA · 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

25 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Cambridge, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ashburnham, MA

The final approach into Ashburnham, 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 Ashburnham, 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

$7.97 one way

$15.95 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$8.67	$17.35
premium	$4.80	$9.47	$18.93
diesel	$5.64	$11.13	$22.26

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Concord Turnpike (7.9 mi) $0.55

Concord Turnpike (3.9 mi) $0.27

Cambridge Turnpike (3.3 mi) $0.23

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

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	15	$5.26	$2.40
Efficient EV	12.5	$4.38	$2.00
EV Truck/SUV	20	$7.01	$3.21

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Cambridge, MA

Evening in Cambridge on Sunday

Local time

7:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashburnham, MA

Evening in Ashburnham on Sunday

Local time

7:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

25 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 23m 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 Cambridge, MA to Ashburnham, MA covers 50.1 miles and takes about 1h 23m 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, Massachusetts Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 25.1 miles from Cambridge, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.97 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.

The route from Cambridge, MA to Ashburnham, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Cambridge, MA to Ashburnham, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ashburnham, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cambridge, MA

Ashburnham, MA

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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