Trip from Cotuit, MA to Cambridge, MA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

70 mi

113 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 37m ★

6 AM

1h 45m

8 AM

2h 1m

10 AM

1h 51m

12 PM

1h 49m

3 PM

1h 51m

5 PM

2h 0m

8 PM

1h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cotuit, MA

Italo Melo

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cotuit, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 70 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pilgrims Highway, MA 3, Cotuit Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.20 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

35 miles from Cotuit, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 45m drive with frequent turns across 70 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 28 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 early in the drive near School Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (School Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | School Street

At end of road, turn right onto School Street

Navigation decision point

9.6 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the ramp toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence

67.6 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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...

67.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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

68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

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 Cotuit, MA to Cambridge, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence along the way.

Providence

9.6 mi in | ~20m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pilgrims Highway	42.3 mi	53m
MA 3	8.9 mi	12m
Cotuit Road	4.7 mi	10m
Mid Cape Highway	3.6 mi	4m
Main Street	2.5 mi	4m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway	2.5 mi	4m
Forestdale Road	1.7 mi	3m
Cambridge Street	1.4 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Pilgrims Highway — 42.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cotuit, MA and Cambridge, MA.

Start on this road

208 ft · 17 sec · this road

At end of road, turn right onto School Street

416 ft · 15 sec · School Street

Turn left onto Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto MA 28

327 ft · 8 sec · Falmouth Road

Turn right onto MA 130

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Cotuit Road

Continue on MA 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn right onto Cotuit Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Cotuit Road

Enter roundabout onto Cotuit Road

85 ft · 4 sec · Cotuit Road

Continue on Cotuit Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cotuit Road

Continue on Sandwich Cotuit Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Sandwich Cotuit Road

Continue on Cotuit Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Cotuit Road

At end of road, turn right onto MA 130

1.7 mi · 3 min · Forestdale Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence

Merge onto US 6

3.6 mi · 4 min · Mid Cape Highway

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Pilgrim Highway

Continue on MA 3

42 mi · 53 min · Pilgrims Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 3

8.4 mi · 11 min · MA 3

Exit 43B Toward I 93 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

2.5 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto MA 3

0.5 mi · 58 sec · MA 3

Exit 18 Toward Storrow Drive

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station

Keep slight left at fork

213 ft · 9 sec

Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 28

0.3 mi · 1 min · Charles River Dam Road

Use the straight lane.

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.

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

1.4 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Line Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Line Street

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue

Arrive at destination

Leonard Avenue

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 35 miles from Cotuit, MA, or about 53m 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 15 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35 miles or 53m 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 24m

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 Cotuit, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cotuit, MA

This is one driving day of about 70 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Cotuit, 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 mi from Cotuit, MA · 53m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hingham, MA

35 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

Buzzards Bay, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norwell, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35 miles from Cotuit, 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

$11.20 one way

$22.41 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$12.22	$24.43
premium	$4.82	$13.29	$26.58
diesel	$5.61	$15.46	$30.91

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: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	21	$7.35	$3.36
Efficient EV	17.5	$6.13	$2.80
EV Truck/SUV	28	$9.80	$4.48

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Cotuit, MA

Evening in Cotuit on Wednesday

Local time

7:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Evening in Cambridge on Wednesday

Local time

7:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°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.

Road read

1h 45m 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 Cotuit, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 70 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, MA 3, Cotuit Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 35 miles from Cotuit, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.20 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.