Origin
Hudson, MA
Late night in Hudson on Wednesday
Local time
12:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hudson, MA to Cambridge, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
51m
Distance
31.7 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hudson, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hudson to Cambridge covers 37.6 miles of local roads, making this a straightforward journey within the Northeast region of Massachusetts. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 46 minutes, allowing this to function perfectly as a quick day trip without the need for an overnight stay. With a total fuel budget estimated at $6, it is an economical route for those looking to reach the city without complicated logistics. Since there are zero scheduled stops, you have the flexibility to head straight to your destination. This path is ideal for travelers who prefer local roads over the intensity of major interstates.
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
15.9 miles from Hudson, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Because the route relies entirely on Main Street, Broad Street, and Washington Street, you will encounter zero highway miles during the journey. The lack of a highway share means the pace is determined by local traffic flow rather than high-speed cruising. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches, you should stay alert for frequent turns and intersection changes. This profile is distinct from standard interstate travel, offering a more hands-on driving experience as you transition between towns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 19.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Bolton Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MA 62 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 31.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MA 62 / Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1 miles (MA 85 / Washington Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MA 62 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto MA 62 / Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MA 85 / Washington Street
Enter roundabout onto MA 85 / Washington Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpik...
8
29.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
8
29.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hudson, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Springfield, Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East, Allston-Brighton, Fenway Park and Somerville.
Springfield
9.4 mi in
|
~18m
Boston
9.4 mi in
|
~18m
Massachusetts Turnpike East
9.8 mi in
|
~18m
Allston-Brighton
29.2 mi in
|
~42m
Fenway Park
29.2 mi in
|
~42m
Somerville
29.7 mi in
|
~44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 19.1 mi | 23m |
| Bolton Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Framingham Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Maple Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Broad Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Worcester Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Turnpike Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 19.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on this road
228 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto MA 62
528 ft
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
4
Continue on Broad Street
101 ft
·
3 sec
·
Broad Street
5
Enter roundabout onto MA 85
213 ft
·
3 sec
·
Washington Street
6
Continue on MA 85
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Washington Street
7
Continue on MA 85
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Washington Street
8
Continue on MA 85
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Bolton Street
9
Continue on MA 85
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Bolton Street
10
Continue on MA 85
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Street
11
Continue on MA 85
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marlboro Road
12
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 85
152 ft
·
5 sec
·
Marlboro Road
13
Continue on Framingham Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Framingham Road
14
Continue on MA 30
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Boston Road
15
Turn sharp right onto Central Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Street
16
Turn left onto MA 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Turnpike Road
17
Continue on MA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Worcester Road
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 90 West: Masspike, Springfield, Boston
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 90
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Use the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft
·
6 sec
·
Cambridge Street
24
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Street
26
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
29
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 37.6-mile trip is short and efficient, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You should account for the stop-and-go nature of local roads, which may cause your actual travel time to fluctuate based on daily traffic patterns. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind, though the lack of scheduled stops means you likely won't need to refuel mid-trip. Given that the route is comprised entirely of local streets like Broad and Washington, prioritize checking your navigation frequently for upcoming turns. Planning your departure to avoid peak local commuting hours will ensure you maintain that 46-minute estimate.
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 15.9 miles from Hudson, MA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 31.7 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.9 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, MA
This is one driving day of about 31.7 miles and 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hudson, 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 19.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.9 mi from Hudson, MA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.9 miles from Hudson, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cambridge, 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
$5.07 one way
$10.15 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.53 | $11.07 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.02 | $12.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
Massachusetts Turnpike
(19.1 mi)
$1.15
Turnpike Road
(0.6 mi)
$0.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.44 | $2.03 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Late night in Cambridge on Wednesday
Local time
12:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
16 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
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
51m 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 Hudson, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 31.7 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Bolton Street, Framingham Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.9 miles from Hudson, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.07 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 31.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MA 62 / Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1 miles (MA 85 / Washington Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hudson, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Springfield, Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East, Allston-Brighton, Fenway Park and Somerville.
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