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Trip from Cambridge, MA to Forestdale, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 30m

Distance

63.9 mi

103 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 24m ★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 26m

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

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Forestdale, MA, MA

Forestdale, MA

Italo Melo

Trip Overview

The drive from Cambridge, MA to Forestdale, MA covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MA 3, Pilgrims Highway, Southeast Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.4 miles on MA 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.23 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

32 miles from Cambridge, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 63.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 30m highway drive covering 63.9 miles, with most of the trip on MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.4 miles on MA 3.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway. 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 8 key points

These 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 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
6
60.5 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee

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

Exit 59 Toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Cambridge, MA to Forestdale, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Mashpee along the way.

Mashpee

60.5 mi in | ~1h 23m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MA 3 31.4 mi 40m
Pilgrims Highway 12 mi 15m
Southeast Expressway 8 mi 10m
Mid Cape Highway 3.7 mi 5m
Forestdale Road 3.3 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 Forestdale, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

8.0 mi · 10 min · Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

3.7 mi · 5 min · Mid Cape Highway
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 59 Toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
15

Keep slight right at fork

153 ft · 4 sec
16

Turn straight onto MA 130

3.3 mi · 6 min · Forestdale Road
17

Arrive at destination

MA 130

Trip Plan

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 32 miles from Cambridge, MA, or about 47m 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 14 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32 miles or 47m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forestdale, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cambridge, MA

This is one driving day of about 63.9 miles and 1h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Cambridge, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 32 mi from Cambridge, MA · 47m into the drive

city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, MA

32 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

Quincy, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norwell, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32 miles from Cambridge, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Forestdale, MA

The final approach into Forestdale, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Boston National Historical Park

Boston National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 2.2
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $15 near mile 11
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 8.8
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 2.2
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.23 one way

$20.45 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $11.15 $22.30
premium $4.82 $12.13 $24.27
diesel $5.61 $14.11 $28.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.2 0 $6.71 $3.07
Efficient EV 16 0 $5.59 $2.56
EV Truck/SUV 25.6 0 $8.95 $4.09

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Cambridge, MA

Afternoon in Cambridge on Thursday

Local time

2:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Forestdale, MA

Afternoon in Forestdale on Thursday

Local time

2:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

6 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 30m 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 Forestdale, MA covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 3, Pilgrims Highway, Southeast Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32 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 $10.23 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Cambridge, MA to Forestdale, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Mashpee along the way.

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