Origin
Ludlow, MA
Afternoon in Ludlow on Saturday
Local time
2:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ludlow, MA to Cambridge, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
79.8 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
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.
Ludlow, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ludlow, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 79.8 miles and takes about 1h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, River Street, Prospect Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 75.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.77 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.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Ludlow, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 75.4 mi | 1h 28m |
| River Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Prospect Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Sewall Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Line Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cambridge Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hampshire Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on this road
130 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
181 ft
·
14 sec
3
Turn right
73 ft
·
11 sec
4
Turn left onto Walnut Street
285 ft
·
14 sec
·
Walnut Street
5
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Oak Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Howard Street
7
Turn right onto Sewall Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sewall Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Center Street
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
75 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft
·
6 sec
·
Cambridge Street
15
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Street
17
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
20
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
21
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 39.9 miles from Ludlow, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 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 Ludlow, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ludlow, MA
This is one driving day of about 79.8 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Ludlow, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 75.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from Ludlow, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Massachusetts Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 77.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Howard Street
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MA 21 / Center Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.77 one way
$25.54 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.93 | $27.85 |
| premium | $4.82 | $15.15 | $30.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.62 | $35.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.52
Massachusetts Turnpike
(75.4 mi)
$4.52
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
$13
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 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 | 23.9 | 0 | $8.38 | $3.83 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $6.98 | $3.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.11 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Afternoon in Cambridge on Saturday
Local time
2:41 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
21 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 79.8
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 68.8
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$15
near mile 77
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 2.8
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 79.8
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 79.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
79.8 mi in 1h 42m, mostly highway — 75.4 mi of that is on Massachusetts Turnpike.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.4 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and River Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Howard 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 79.8 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 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 79.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.52 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cambridge, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Adams National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cambridge, MA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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