Origin
Cambridge, MA
Afternoon in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, MA to East Dennis, MA
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
83.2 mi
134 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, MA
Phil Evenden
East Dennis, MA
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cambridge to East Dennis covers 83.2 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via MA 3, the Pilgrims Highway, and the Mid Cape Highway to reach the Cape. Budgeting around $13 for fuel makes this an accessible excursion for a weekend getaway or a quick change of pace. Since both locations are within the Northeast, you will remain in the same geographic region throughout your journey. This route is a straightforward transition from the urban environment of Cambridge to the coastal setting of East Dennis.
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
41.6 miles from Cambridge, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. Approximately 51% of your journey is spent on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on MA 3, where you will cover 31.4 miles of road. As you transition from the highway network onto the Mid Cape Highway, the feel of the drive shifts, requiring you to remain alert for changes in traffic flow. The route offers a practical blend of infrastructure that keeps the drive moving efficiently while you transition toward the coast.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.4 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 83.2 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 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
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
5
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.
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
5
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward MA 134 North: Dennis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78B
Toward MA 134 North: Dennis
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3 | 31.4 mi | 40m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Southeast Expressway | 8 mi | 10m |
| East West Dennis Road | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.6 mi | 5m |
| Sagamore Bridge | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 31.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and East Dennis, MA.
1
Start on Leonard Avenue
267 ft
·
16 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
2
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Cambridge Street
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Merge onto MA 28
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Monsignor O'Brien Highway
5
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
MA 3
Toward I 93 South: Quincy, Logan Airport
7
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi
·
39 min
·
MA 3
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
11
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
12
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
13
Continue on US 6
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 78B
Toward MA 134 North: Dennis
15
Turn straight onto MA 134
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East West Dennis Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto MA 6A
135 ft
·
11 sec
·
Cranberry Highway
17
Turn left
49 ft
·
3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-distance fatigue. However, keep in mind that traffic can fluctuate significantly on these main corridors, so checking real-time conditions before you head out is a smart move. With zero mandatory stops programmed into the route, you are free to pull over whenever you need a break or a refuel. Given the $13 fuel estimate, you won't need to stress about extensive gas planning, but it is always wise to ensure you have a full tank before leaving the Cambridge area. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to ensure your 83.2-mile trek remains as smooth as possible.
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 41.6 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 miles or 59m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dennis, 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 83.2 miles and 1h 57m.
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 MA 3 for about 31.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.6 mi from Cambridge, MA · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Cambridge, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Dennis, MA
The final approach into East Dennis, 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 East Dennis, 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
$13.24 one way
$26.49 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $14.40 | $28.81 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.72 | $31.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.48 | $36.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
East Dennis, MA
Afternoon in East Dennis on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
42 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
14 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
1h 57m 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 East Dennis, MA covers 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.6 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 $13.24 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 10 significant decision points across 83.2 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 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.
The route from Cambridge, MA to East Dennis, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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