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Trip from Salem, MA to Waltham, MA

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

43m

Distance

23.3 mi

38 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min
4 AM
0h 40m ★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Salem, MA, MA

Salem, MA

José Alcalá

Downtown Waltham, MA, MA

Waltham, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This short, 23.3-mile drive from Salem, MA to Waltham, MA will take approximately 43 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $4, making it an economical journey. You'll primarily navigate local streets like Western Avenue, Highland Avenue, and Pleasant Street, with only a small portion on highways. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, specifically in Massachusetts.

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

11.7 miles from Salem, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 23.3-mile trip. With only an 8% highway share, most of your journey will be on city streets and local roads, requiring constant attention to turns and traffic signals. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 3.6 miles on Western Avenue. This means the drive is characterized by frequent changes in direction and speed, rather than long, open stretches of highway. You'll experience a more intimate, ground-level perspective of the towns and neighborhoods you pass through.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Western Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 3.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Margin Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 (Margin Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (Lincoln Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.9 miles (Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Margin Street

Turn right onto Margin Street

Navigation decision point

6
8.7 mi into trip | ~15m in | Lincoln Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Lincoln Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
12.9 mi into trip | ~22m in | Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

Enter roundabout onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
6
16 mi into trip | ~28m in | Powder House Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Powder House Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
21.1 mi into trip | ~39m in | MA 60 / Waverley Oaks Road

Turn left onto MA 60 / Waverley Oaks Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 Salem, MA to Waltham, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerville along the way.

Somerville

12.9 mi in | ~22m | via Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Western Avenue 3.6 mi 6m
Highland Avenue 2.4 mi 3m
Pleasant Street 1.9 mi 3m
Broadway 1.9 mi 3m
Lincoln Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Lynn Street 1.6 mi 2m
Waverley Oaks Road 1.3 mi 2m
Lake Street 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Western Avenue — 3.6 mi, about 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem, MA and Waltham, MA.

1

Start on Gedney Street

150 ft · 9 sec · Gedney Street
2

Turn right onto Margin Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Margin Street
3

Continue on Jefferson Avenue

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Jefferson Avenue
4

Turn right onto Jackson Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Jackson Street
5

At end of road, turn left onto MA 107

2.4 mi · 3 min · Highland Avenue
6

Continue on MA 107

2.5 mi · 4 min · Western Avenue
7

Enter roundabout onto MA 107

178 ft · 2 sec · Western Avenue
8

Continue on MA 107

1.0 mi · 2 min · Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on MA 107

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Salem Turnpike
10

Turn right onto Ballard Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Ballard Street
11

Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Avenue
12

Continue on Lincoln Avenue

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Lincoln Avenue
13

Continue on Salem Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Salem Street
14

Continue on Lynn Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · Lynn Street
15

Turn left onto MA 99

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway
16

Enter roundabout onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

227 ft · 4 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
17

Continue on Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway
Toward MA 16 West: Medford, Somerville
18

Enter roundabout

179 ft · 5 sec
19

Continue

0.1 mi · 15 sec
20

Merge onto MA 16

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Revere Beach Parkway
21

Continue on MA 16

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mystic Valley Parkway
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on Mystic Valley Parkway Connector

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Mystic Valley Parkway Connector
23

Continue on Harvard Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Harvard Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
24

Continue on Warner Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Warner Street
25

Enter roundabout onto Powder House Boulevard

127 ft · 2 sec · Powder House Boulevard
26

Continue on Powder House Boulevard

0.8 mi · 1 min · Powder House Boulevard
27

Turn left onto North Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · North Street
28

At end of road, turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Broadway
29

Turn left onto Cleveland Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Cleveland Street
30

At end of road, turn right onto US 3; MA 2A

222 ft · 12 sec · Massachusetts Avenue
31

Turn left onto Lake Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
Use the straight lane.
32

Turn left onto MA 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · Pleasant Street
33

Turn straight onto MA 60

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Trapelo Road
34

Turn left onto MA 60

1.3 mi · 2 min · Waverley Oaks Road
Use the left lane.
35

Continue on MA 60

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Linden Street
36

Turn right onto US 20

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Main Street
Use the right lane.
37

Arrive at destination

US 20

Trip Plan

Given the short 43-minute duration and 23.3-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at any time without needing to split the drive. With a fuel cost of just $4, refueling won't be a major concern. Since it's a local, turn-heavy route, pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, especially when navigating Western Avenue, Highland Avenue, and Pleasant Street. The longest stretch without a turn is only 3.6 miles, so stay alert for those frequent directional changes.

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 11.7 miles from Salem, MA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.6 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 23.3 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 11.7 miles or 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waltham, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, MA

This is one driving day of about 23.3 miles and 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salem, 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 Western Avenue for about 3.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11.7 mi from Salem, MA · 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

12 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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 14.7 miles from Salem, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Waltham, MA

The final approach into Waltham, 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 Waltham, MA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

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.

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 16.2
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 29.3
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 16.2
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour $15 near mile 16.2
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 24.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.73 one way

$7.46 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $4.07 $8.13
premium $4.82 $4.42 $8.85
diesel $5.61 $5.14 $10.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 7 0 $2.45 $1.12
Efficient EV 5.8 0 $2.04 $0.93
EV Truck/SUV 9.3 0 $3.26 $1.49

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Salem, MA

Late night in Salem on Wednesday

Local time

3:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waltham, MA

Late night in Waltham on Wednesday

Local time

3:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

12 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

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

43m 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 Salem, MA to Waltham, MA covers 23.3 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Avenue, Highland Avenue, Pleasant Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.7 miles from Salem, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.73 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 23.3 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start (Margin Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (Lincoln Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.9 miles (Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Salem, MA to Waltham, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerville along the way.

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