Trip from Cambridge, MA to Cohasset, MA

Drive Time

45m

Distance

23.5 mi

38 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min

4 AM

0h 41m ★

6 AM

0h 45m

8 AM

0h 53m

10 AM

0h 48m

12 PM

0h 47m

3 PM

0h 48m

5 PM

0h 52m

8 PM

0h 43m

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

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick getaway from Cambridge to Cohasset, you are looking at a manageable 23.5-mile trip that typically takes about 45 minutes. This route is a straightforward day trip, making it an ideal choice if you prefer to avoid the hassle of overnight logistics. You will navigate through the Northeast corridor, transitioning from the urban center of Cambridge toward the coastal atmosphere of Cohasset. With fuel costs estimated at $4, the drive is budget-friendly and requires no mid-trip stops. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers who want to maximize their time at the destination rather than behind the wheel.

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

11.8 miles from Cambridge, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving profile that keeps the journey dynamic as you move away from the city. You will spend about 30% of your time on highways, utilizing the Southeast Expressway and the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway to gain momentum. The driving environment shifts as you transition to the Newport Avenue Extension, moving away from high-speed corridors. Do not expect long, monotonous stretches, as your longest highway segment is limited to just 3.8 miles on the Southeast Expressway. This blend of infrastructure creates a drive that changes pace frequently, requiring you to stay alert as you navigate from urban arteries toward your final destination.

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

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Southeast Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.8 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 14 significant decision points across 23.5 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 2.1 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles (I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 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 left onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

2.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | MA 3

Take the exit onto MA 3 toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport

2.6 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

9.1 mi into trip | ~17m in | MA 3A

Take the exit onto MA 3A toward MA 3A South: Neponset, Quincy

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 12 Toward MA 3A South: Neponset, Quincy

9.7 mi into trip | ~19m in | MA 3A / Hancock Street

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3A / Hancock Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Cambridge, MA and Cohasset, MA, road signs point toward Logan Airport and Quincy.

Logan Airport

2.1 mi in | ~7m | via MA 3

Quincy

9.1 mi in | ~17m | via MA 3A

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Southeast Expressway	3.8 mi	5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway	2.7 mi	4m
Newport Avenue Extension	2.3 mi	5m
North Main Street	2.1 mi	3m
Bridge Street	1.7 mi	2m
Washington Street	1.7 mi	2m
Cambridge Street	1.6 mi	5m
Lincoln Street	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Southeast Expressway — 3.8 mi, about 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Leonard Avenue

267 ft · 16 sec · Leonard Avenue

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Cambridge Street

1.3 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto MA 28

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Monsignor O'Brien Highway

Continue on MA 28

0.3 mi · 1 min · Charles River Dam Road

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto MA 3

0.5 mi · 1 min · MA 3

Toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport

Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3

2.7 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

3.8 mi · 5 min · Southeast Expressway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MA 3A

0.2 mi · 39 sec · MA 3A

Exit 12 Toward MA 3A South: Neponset, Quincy Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto MA 3A

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Gallivan Boulevard

Take the exit onto MA 3A

0.3 mi · 32 sec · MA 3A

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3A

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Hancock Street

Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight right onto Newport Avenue Extension

2.3 mi · 5 min · Newport Avenue Extension

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Adams Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Adams Street

Turn straight onto Hancock Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Hancock Street

Continue on Washington Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · Washington Street

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto MA 3A

220 ft · 3 sec · Washington Street

Continue on MA 3A

451 ft · 7 sec · Washington Street

Continue on MA 3A

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fore River Bridge

Continue on MA 3A

1.7 mi · 2 min · Bridge Street

Continue on MA 3A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on MA 3A

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Broad Cove Road

Continue on MA 3A

0.6 mi · 1 min · Otis Street

Continue on MA 3A

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Summer Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 3A

134 ft · 2 sec · Justice Cushing Way

Continue on MA 3A

1.2 mi · 1 min · Justice Cushing Way

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MA 228

0.4 mi · 37 sec · East Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on East Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · East Street

Continue on North Main Street

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Because this is a short 45-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns around the major expressways is always a smart move to ensure your travel time stays within the expected window. Since there are no planned stops, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you pull out of Cambridge to avoid unnecessary detours. Take advantage of the trip's brevity by planning your activities in Cohasset for the moment you arrive. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay focused during the transition between the expressway and local extensions, as the road character shifts quickly as you exit the highway system.

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 11.8 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.8 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 23.5 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 11.8 miles or 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cohasset, 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 23.5 miles and 45m.

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 Southeast Expressway for about 3.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11.8 mi from Cambridge, MA · 23m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

12 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

Rocky Point, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Cambridge, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cohasset, MA

The final approach into Cohasset, 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 Cohasset, 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

$3.74 one way

$7.48 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$4.07	$8.14
premium	$4.80	$4.44	$8.88
diesel	$5.64	$5.22	$10.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	7.1	$2.47	$1.13
Efficient EV	5.9	$2.06	$0.94
EV Truck/SUV	9.4	$3.29	$1.50

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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

8:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cohasset, MA

Evening in Cohasset on Sunday

Local time

8:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

12 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

1 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

45m 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 Cohasset, MA covers 23.5 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Southeast Expressway, John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, Newport Avenue Extension. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 11.8 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 $3.74 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.

Between Cambridge, MA and Cohasset, MA, road signs point toward Logan Airport and Quincy.

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Return Trip

Cohasset, MA to Cambridge, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

23.3 mi 44m

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Trip from Cambridge, MA to Cohasset, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cohasset, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cambridge, MA

Cohasset, MA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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