Planning a trip from Orange, MA, to Cambridge, MA? This 70.7-mile journey typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a manageable one-day drive. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within Massachusetts for the entire trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $11, which is quite budget-friendly. The drive offers a mixed experience on the road, so it's well-suited for a single day without needing an overnight stay. This route provides a straightforward connection between these two Massachusetts locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Orange, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 70.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed bag of road types, with 34% of it being highway. You'll experience stretches on main roads like the Mohawk Trail, Concord Turnpike, and Captain Isaac Davis Highway. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or stop is 31.2 miles, primarily on the Mohawk Trail. Expect the road character to evolve as you progress, shifting between more open highway driving and potentially more localized or slower sections as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll get a bit of everything behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mohawk Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 31.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward MA 2 West: Greenfield, North Adams
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 2 West: Greenfield, North Adams
6
33.7 mi into trip|~48m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn
6
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue
Turn right onto MA 2A / Massachusetts Avenue toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
6
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mohawk Trail
31.2 mi
43m
Concord Turnpike
19.8 mi
27m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi
9m
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi
5m
Concord Highway
3.4 mi
4m
South Main Street
2.1 mi
3m
Massachusetts Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Beacon Street
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Mohawk Trail
— 31.2 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MA 122
2.1 mi·3 min·South Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward MA 2 West: Greenfield, North Adams
4
Turn sharp left onto MA 2
31 mi·43 min·Mohawk Trail
5
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
13 mi·17 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on MA 2
6.3 mi·9 min·Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on MA 2; MA 111
0.6 mi·1 min·Union Turnpike
8
Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A
328 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
9
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
0.3 mi·35 sec·Elm Street
10
Continue on MA 2; MA 2A
3.7 mi·5 min·Concord Turnpike
11
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·5 min·Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
12
Continue on MA 2
3.4 mi·4 min·Concord Highway
13
Continue on MA 2
3.5 mi·4 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
473 ft·13 sec
Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, WoburnUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Merge onto US 3; MA 16
0.3 mi·51 sec·Alewife Brook Parkway
Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford
16
Turn right onto MA 2A
1.2 mi·2 min·Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: CambridgeUse the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi·3 min·Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft·12 sec·Cooney Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft·19 sec·Line Street
21
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft·19 sec·Leonard Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 46-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is a good bet to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you get closer to Cambridge. Since it's a relatively short trip of 70.7 miles, you don't need to plan for extensive stops, though there's flexibility if you wish to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $11 for the trip, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Orange. A specific tip: pay attention to signage on the Captain Isaac Davis Highway as it can become more complex closer to urban areas.
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 35.3 miles from Orange, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 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 26m
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 Orange, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Orange, MA
This is one driving day of about 70.7 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Orange, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Mohawk Trail for about 31.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Orange, MA
· 50m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$15
near mile 70.7
. . . 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 70.7
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 48.8
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 70.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.31 one way
$22.63 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.34
$24.68
premium
$4.82
$13.42
$26.85
diesel
$5.61
$15.61
$31.22
Estimated Tolls: $1.67
Concord Turnpike
(16.1 mi)$1.12
Concord Turnpike
(3.7 mi)$0.26
Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
(3.5 mi)$0.25
Union Turnpike
(0.6 mi)$0.04
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
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.42
$3.39
Efficient EV
17.7
0
$6.19
$2.83
EV Truck/SUV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.52
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Orange, MA
Afternoon
in Orange on Friday
Local time
12:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Afternoon
in Cambridge on Friday
Local time
12:49 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
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
1h 46m 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 Orange, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mohawk Trail, Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.3 miles from Orange, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.31 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 70.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Orange, MA to Cambridge, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Minute Man National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Adams National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
