Drive Time
31m
Distance
15.3 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Quick day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
The drive from Chelsea, MA to Waltham, MA covers 15.3 miles and takes about 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central Avenue, Hawthorn Street, Pearl Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.08 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.6 miles from Chelsea, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a 31m drive with frequent turns across 15.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hawthorn Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pearl Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Congress Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Second Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sweetser Circle | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Krystyl K | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea, MA and Waltham, MA.
Start on Shawmut Street
Turn right onto Central Avenue
Turn right onto Hawthorn Street
Turn sharp left onto Pearl Street
Turn right onto Congress Avenue
Turn left onto Broadway
Turn right onto Second Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sweetser Circle
Exit the rotary onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Santilli Circle
Exit the rotary
Merge slight left onto Revere Beach Parkway
Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway
Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway Connector
Continue on Harvard Street
Continue on Warner Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Powder House Square
Exit the rotary onto Powder House Boulevard
Turn left onto North Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broadway
Turn left onto Cleveland Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
Turn left onto Lake Street
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
Turn straight onto Trapelo Road
Turn left onto Waverley Oaks Road
Continue on Linden Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at your 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 15.3 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.6 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waltham, MA than in the middle of the route.
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 15.3 miles and 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.6 mi from Chelsea, MA · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 15.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 7.6 miles from Chelsea, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$2.08 one way
$4.16 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
| premium | $4.15 | $2.50 | $5.00 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $2.26 | $4.52 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Chelsea on Saturday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Waltham on Saturday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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.
Explore more options from Chelsea, MA or browse trips ending in Waltham, MA.
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