Origin
Pepperell, MA
Night in Pepperell on Tuesday
Local time
11:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pepperell, MA to Cambridge, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
39.1 mi
63 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pepperell, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 39.1-mile drive from Pepperell to Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a manageable 1 hour and 4 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes US 3, Pleasant Street, and Cambridge Street, offering a mixed driving experience. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $6, this journey is budget-friendly. Since it's a relatively short distance within the Northeast region, you won't need to break it up with an overnight stay. This trip is perfect for a quick excursion or a commute between these two Massachusetts towns.
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
19.6 miles from Pepperell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience on this route, with 49% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 18.7 miles on US 3, providing a chance for steady progress. As you transition from US 3 to local roads like Pleasant Street and Cambridge Street, the drive will likely become more involved with town traffic and intersections. This mixed profile means you'll encounter both faster-paced highway segments and more stop-and-go conditions as you approach Cambridge.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 113 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 39.1 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 113 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.8 miles (MA 113 / Groton Street): Navigation decision point; at 26.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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 113 / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto MA 113 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MA 113 / Groton Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 113 / Groton Street
Navigation decision point
9
26.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
7
28.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 South: Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
6
39 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
Line Street
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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 Pepperell, MA to Cambridge, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
Peabody
26.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via US 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 18.7 mi | 23m |
| Pleasant Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Cambridge Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Cambridge Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Lowell Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Dunstable Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Mystic Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 18.7 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pepperell, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto MA 111
103 ft
·
4 sec
·
River Road
3
Enter roundabout onto MA 113
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on MA 113
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto MA 113
314 ft
·
12 sec
·
Groton Street
6
Turn left onto MA 113
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Tarbell Street
7
Continue on MA 113
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Lowell Road
8
Continue on MA 113
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Pleasant Street
9
Continue on MA 113
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Lowell Street
11
Continue on Dunstable Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Dunstable Road
12
Turn left onto Westford Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Westford Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 3 South: Burlington
14
Merge onto US 3
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 3
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 3
17
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
18
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 3
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 3
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Road
21
Continue on US 3
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Street
22
Continue on US 3
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Mystic Street
23
Turn left onto MA 60
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Chestnut Street
24
Turn right onto Warren Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Warren Street
25
Turn straight onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Broadway
26
Turn right onto MA 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alewife Brook Parkway
27
Turn left onto MA 2A
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto Somerville Avenue
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Somerville Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Turn right onto Beacon Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Beacon Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto Cooney Street
295 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cooney Street
31
At end of road, turn right onto Line Street
294 ft
·
19 sec
·
Line Street
32
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 4 minute duration, leaving Pepperell in the mid-morning or early afternoon can help you avoid peak commuter traffic heading into Cambridge. With only 39.1 miles and a low fuel cost of around $6, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops. However, it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a short drive, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops if needed, but keep an eye on your progress on US 3, as that's your longest continuous stretch. Plan to arrive in Cambridge outside of typical rush hours to ease your entry into the city.
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 19.6 miles from Pepperell, MA, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.7 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 39.1 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.6 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
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 Pepperell, 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 Pepperell, MA
This is one driving day of about 39.1 miles and 1h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pepperell, 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 US 3 for about 18.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.6 mi from Pepperell, MA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from Pepperell, 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
$6.26 one way
$12.52 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.82 | $13.65 |
| premium | $4.82 | $7.42 | $14.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.63 | $17.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Night in Cambridge on Tuesday
Local time
11:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
20 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 4m 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 Pepperell, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 39.1 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Pleasant Street, Cambridge Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.6 miles from Pepperell, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.26 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 22 significant decision points across 39.1 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 113 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.8 miles (MA 113 / Groton Street): Navigation decision point; at 26.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pepperell, MA to Cambridge, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
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