Trip from Phillipston, MA to Cambridge, MA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

60.7 mi

98 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 26m ★

6 AM

1h 33m

8 AM

1h 47m

10 AM

1h 38m

12 PM

1h 37m

3 PM

1h 39m

5 PM

1h 47m

8 PM

1h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Phillipston, MA

Max Flinterman

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Phillipston to Cambridge, you are looking at a 60.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, as it covers a manageable distance that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily travel along MA 2, utilizing the Concord Turnpike and Captain Isaac Davis Highway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this is an efficient and budget-friendly way to move between these two Massachusetts locations. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the quieter areas of the Northeast region to the bustling atmosphere of the Cambridge area.

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

30.4 miles from Phillipston, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 76% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.7 miles along MA 2. The road maintains a consistent pace, transitioning from the more open surroundings near Phillipston toward the increasingly dense traffic patterns as you approach Cambridge. While the route is functional rather than scenic, the reliable road conditions allow for a predictable driving experience. You should be prepared for the shift from rural transit to the more complex infrastructure that characterizes the final approach to your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MA 2 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near The Common.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 (The Common): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 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 | The Common

Turn right onto The Common

Navigation decision point

23.7 mi into trip | ~35m 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.

57.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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

58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 25m 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

60.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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
MA 2	21.7 mi	30m
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
Baldwinville Road	1.4 mi	3m
Massachusetts Avenue	1.2 mi	2m
Beacon Street	1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: MA 2 — 21.7 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

141 ft · 12 sec · this road

Turn right onto The Common

185 ft · 6 sec · The Common

Continue on The Common

310 ft · 9 sec · The Common

Turn right onto Baldwinville Road

1.4 mi · 3 min · Baldwinville Road

Turn right onto MA 2A

380 ft · 7 sec · State Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Merge onto MA 2

22 mi · 30 min · MA 2

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

13 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 2

6.3 mi · 9 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 2; MA 111

0.6 mi · 1 min · Union Turnpike

Enter roundabout onto MA 2; MA 2A

328 ft · 4 sec · Elm Street

Continue on MA 2; MA 2A

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Elm Street

Continue on MA 2; MA 2A

3.7 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike

Continue on MA 2

3.5 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2

Continue on MA 2

3.4 mi · 4 min · Concord Highway

Continue on MA 2

3.5 mi · 4 min · Concord Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

473 ft · 13 sec

Toward MA 16 East, US 3 North: Medford, Woburn Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto US 3; MA 16

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Alewife Brook Parkway

Toward US 3 North, MA 16 East: Arlington, Medford

Turn right onto MA 2A

1.2 mi · 2 min · Massachusetts Avenue

Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Somerville Avenue

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Somerville Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Beacon Street

1.0 mi · 3 min · Beacon Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Cooney Street

295 ft · 12 sec · Cooney Street

At end of road, turn right onto Line Street

294 ft · 19 sec · Line Street

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue

Arrive at destination

Leonard Avenue

Trip Plan

To ensure the smoothest travel experience, plan your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic, which can significantly impact the 1 hour and 33 minute duration. Because the entire trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to complete the 60.7-mile distance without needing formal rest stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Phillipston to take advantage of local pricing, keeping your total transit budget near that $10 estimate. Since this is a single-day journey, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip or finding overnight accommodations. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for speed limit changes as you transition from the open highway onto the Concord Turnpike and Captain Isaac Davis Highway segments.

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 30.4 miles from Phillipston, MA, or about 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 13 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30.4 miles or 44m 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 16m

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Phillipston, MA

This is one driving day of about 60.7 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Phillipston, MA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on MA 2 for about 21.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.4 mi from Phillipston, MA · 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boxborough, MA

30 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

Westminster, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ayer, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.4 miles from Phillipston, 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

$9.71 one way

$19.43 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$10.59	$21.19
premium	$4.82	$11.53	$23.05
diesel	$5.61	$13.40	$26.80

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

$10

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	18.2	$6.37	$2.91
Efficient EV	15.2	$5.31	$2.43
EV Truck/SUV	24.3	$8.50	$3.88

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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

Phillipston, MA

Evening in Phillipston on Wednesday

Local time

6:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Evening in Cambridge on Wednesday

Local time

6:32 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.

Temperature spread

2 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 33m 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 Phillipston, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 60.7 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MA 2, Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 30.4 miles from Phillipston, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.71 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.

The route from Phillipston, MA to Cambridge, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Cambridge, MA

Westfield, MA 94.4 mi · 1h 58m Agawam, MA 91.4 mi · 1h 56m Granby, MA 86.1 mi · 1h 53m East Dennis, MA 83.2 mi · 1h 57m

More trips to Cambridge, MA

North Adams, MA 126.2 mi Russell, MA 102.6 mi City of Westfield, MA 94.8 mi Westfield, MA 94.5 mi Agawam, MA 91.8 mi Amherst, MA 91.5 mi

Explore more options from Phillipston, MA or browse trips ending in Cambridge, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Explore maps for Phillipston, MA or Cambridge, MA on MapSof.net.