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.
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Forestdale, MA
Italo Melo
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3 / John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MA and Forestdale, MA.
Start on Leonard Avenue
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Continue on Cambridge Street
Merge onto MA 28
Continue on MA 28
Take the exit onto MA 3
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
Continue on MA 3
Continue on US 6
Continue on US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MA 130
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32 mi from Cambridge, MA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32 miles from Cambridge, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$10.23 one way
$20.45 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cambridge on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Forestdale on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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