Origin
Chelsea, MA
Afternoon in Chelsea on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chelsea, MA to Waltham, MA
Drive Time
25m
Distance
12.6 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chelsea, MA
Italo Melo
Waltham, MA
Pixabay
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Chelsea to Waltham, you are looking at a short 12.6-mile commute across the Northeast. Expect to spend about 25 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is an incredibly economical route to navigate. The journey stays entirely within Massachusetts, keeping you in familiar territory throughout the drive. Since there are no required stops, you can easily complete this transit in one go without needing to plan for breaks. It is a straightforward, practical connection for anyone needing to move between these two areas efficiently.
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
6.3 miles from Chelsea, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. You will spend only 13% of your time on highways, meaning the majority of your trip consists of navigating local roads like Pleasant Street, Second Street, and Waverley Oaks Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a brief 1.9-mile segment on Pleasant Street. Because of the frequent turns, the pace remains measured and technical throughout the 12.6-mile distance. Expect a driving experience defined by steady, local maneuvering rather than high-speed interstate travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pleasant Street is the longest continuous segment at about 1.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.6 miles you will encounter 20 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 (Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Pearl Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles (Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Central Avenue
Turn right onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pearl Street
Turn sharp left onto Pearl Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Enter roundabout onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Powder House Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Powder House Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
MA 60 / Waverley Oaks Road
Turn left onto MA 60 / Waverley Oaks Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chelsea, MA to Waltham, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerville along the way.
Somerville
2.2 mi in
|
~5m
|
via Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Second Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Waverley Oaks Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Lake Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Mystic Valley Parkway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Powder House Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Harvard Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pleasant Street
— 1.9 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea, MA and Waltham, MA.
1
Start on Shawmut Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Shawmut Street
2
Turn right onto Central Avenue
523 ft
·
20 sec
·
Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto Hawthorn Street
173 ft
·
4 sec
·
Hawthorn Street
4
Turn sharp left onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pearl Street
5
Turn right onto Congress Avenue
323 ft
·
16 sec
·
Congress Avenue
6
Turn left onto Broadway
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Broadway
7
Turn right onto Second Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Second Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto MA 99
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Broadway
9
Enter roundabout onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
227 ft
·
4 sec
·
Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
10
Continue on Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
11
Enter roundabout
179 ft
·
5 sec
12
Continue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
13
Merge onto MA 16
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Revere Beach Parkway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on MA 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mystic Valley Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway Connector
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Mystic Valley Parkway Connector
16
Continue on Harvard Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harvard Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on Warner Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Warner Street
18
Enter roundabout onto Powder House Boulevard
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
Powder House Boulevard
19
Continue on Powder House Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Powder House Boulevard
20
Turn left onto North Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Broadway
22
Turn left onto Cleveland Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cleveland Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 3; MA 2A
222 ft
·
12 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue
24
Turn left onto Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Street
Use the none / straight lanes.
25
Turn left onto MA 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Pleasant Street
Use the none lane.
26
Turn straight onto MA 60
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Trapelo Road
27
Turn left onto MA 60
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Waverley Oaks Road
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on MA 60
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Linden Street
29
Turn right onto US 20
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
30
Arrive at destination
US 20
Trip Plan
Because this route is short and flexible, you have the advantage of timing your departure to avoid local congestion. Since there are no stops planned along the 25-minute drive, you can easily adjust your schedule based on your personal needs. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay alert for navigation changes, especially when transitioning between Pleasant Street and Waverley Oaks Road. With fuel costs sitting at a low $2, you do not need to worry about complex refueling logistics before you head out. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to ensure your 12.6-mile transit remains as quick and efficient 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 6.3 miles from Chelsea, MA, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 1.9 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 12.6 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.3 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waltham, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chelsea, 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 Chelsea, MA
This is one driving day of about 12.6 miles and 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chelsea, 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 Pleasant Street for about 1.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.3 mi from Chelsea, MA · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.3 miles from Chelsea, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waltham, MA
The final approach into Waltham, 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 Waltham, 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
$2.01 one way
$4.01 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $2.18 | $4.36 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.38 | $4.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.80 | $5.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Waltham, MA
Afternoon in Waltham on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
6 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
23 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
25m 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 Chelsea, MA to Waltham, MA covers 12.6 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pleasant Street, Second Street, Waverley Oaks Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Chelsea, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.01 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 12.6 miles you will encounter 20 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 (Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Pearl Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles (Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chelsea, MA to Waltham, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerville along the way.
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