Origin
Centerville, MA
Evening in Centerville on Thursday
Local time
6:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centerville, MA to Cambridge, MA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
71.4 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centerville, MA
Jan van der Wolf
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Centerville to Cambridge, you are looking at a 71.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Since this route is well within a single day’s reach, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $11 for fuel should cover the trip, keeping your overhead costs quite low. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a distinct change of pace compared to standard highway transit. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer avoiding high-speed traffic in favor of a more localized driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Centerville, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 71.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from Centerville. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, meaning your focus will remain on surface roads like Main Street Centerville, Old Stage Road, and Race Lane. This route lacks the monotonous, long-distance stretches found on interstates, offering a more engaged driving experience. The road profile is consistent throughout, requiring you to stay attentive to turns rather than cruising at high speeds. It is a practical, no-frills path that keeps you moving through the local landscape for the duration of the 71.4-mile drive.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pilgrims Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near MA 149 / Prospect Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 4.1 miles (MA 149 / Prospect Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
MA 149 / Prospect Street
Enter roundabout onto MA 149 / Prospect Street toward MA 149 North, US 6 West: West Barnstable
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 149 North, US 6 West: West Barnstable
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence, RI
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence, RI
6
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Stat...
8
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
6
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pilgrims Highway | 42.3 mi | 53m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| MA 3 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Old Stage Road | 3.5 mi | 7m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Service Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Sagamore Bridge | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 42.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerville, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on Linden Avenue
56 ft
·
6 sec
·
Linden Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street Centerville
519 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street Centerville
3
Turn left onto Old Stage Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Stage Road
4
Continue on Race Lane
362 ft
·
9 sec
·
Race Lane
5
Turn right onto Old Stage Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Stage Road
6
Turn left onto Service Road
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Service Road
7
Enter roundabout onto MA 149
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prospect Street
Toward MA 149 North, US 6 West: West Barnstable
8
Continue on MA 149
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Prospect Street
Toward MA 149 North, US 6 West: West Barnstable
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence, RI
10
Merge onto US 6
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
11
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
12
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
13
Continue on MA 3
42 mi
·
53 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MA 3
Exit 43B
Toward I 93 North: Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
MA 3
Exit 18
Toward Storrow Drive
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
18
Keep slight left at fork
213 ft
·
9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on MA 28
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Monsignor O'Brien Highway
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway, Somerville
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
23
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 1-hour and 34-minute drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are navigating local roads rather than highways, keep in mind that traffic volume on surface streets can impact your travel time significantly. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $11 estimated cost before you head out from Centerville. My best tip is to keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on local roads like Race Lane means you will be making frequent turns. Enjoy the ease of a trip that gets you to Cambridge without the stress of merging into heavy interstate traffic.
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 35.7 miles from Centerville, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 50m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centerville, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Centerville, MA
This is one driving day of about 71.4 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Centerville, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.7 mi from Centerville, MA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Centerville, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambridge, MA
The final approach into Cambridge, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.43 one way
$22.85 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.46 | $24.92 |
| premium | $4.82 | $13.56 | $27.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.76 | $31.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.25 | $2.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.00 | $4.57 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Evening in Cambridge on Thursday
Local time
6:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
8 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 42m 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 Centerville, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 71.4 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, MA 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.7 miles from Centerville, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.43 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 71.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 4.1 miles (MA 149 / Prospect Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Centerville, MA to Cambridge, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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