Origin
Scituate, MA
Night in Scituate on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scituate, MA to Cambridge, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
55m
Distance
33.3 mi
54 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scituate, MA
David Kanigan
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 33.3-mile drive from Scituate, MA, to Cambridge, MA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 55 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using Pilgrims Highway and MA 3 before transitioning to Main Street. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $5, this route offers a straightforward journey without requiring an overnight stay. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of road types, making it an efficient option for getting between these two Northeast locations. Given the short duration, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your destination upon arrival.
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
16.7 miles from Scituate, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The journey from Scituate to Cambridge presents a mixed drive experience, with about 34% of the route featuring highway conditions. You'll encounter a 10.7-mile stretch on Pilgrims Highway, offering a more open road feel before the landscape potentially shifts. As you progress, expect a transition from faster-paced sections to more local road driving as you approach Cambridge. This variety means you'll experience different driving environments throughout the 55-minute trip, so be prepared for potential changes in traffic and speed limits.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pilgrims Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.7 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 around 0.1 miles in near Front Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 33.3 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: at 0.1 miles (Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Front Street
Turn right onto Front Street
Navigation decision point
7
8.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward MA 3 North: Braintree, Boston
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MA 3 North: Braintree, Boston
6
30.9 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Stat...
8
31 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
6
31.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scituate, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Station and Somerville.
Boston
8.5 mi in
|
~16m
Station
30.9 mi in
|
~47m
Somerville
31.4 mi in
|
~48m
|
via MA 28
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pilgrims Highway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| MA 3 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Main Street | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Stockbridge Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Cornet Stetson Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| First Parish Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 10.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scituate, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on Allen Place
264 ft
·
14 sec
·
Allen Place
2
Turn right onto Front Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Front Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto First Parish Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
First Parish Road
4
Turn left onto Stockbridge Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Stockbridge Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Stockbridge Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Stockbridge Road
6
Turn left onto Country Way
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Country Way
7
Enter roundabout onto Cornet Stetson Road
146 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cornet Stetson Road
8
Continue on Cornet Stetson Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cornet Stetson Road
9
Continue on MA 123
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Main Street
10
Continue on MA 123
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Webster Street
11
Turn left onto MA 53
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Washington Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward MA 3 North: Braintree, Boston
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto MA 3
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MA 3
Exit 43B
Toward I 93 North: Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto MA 3
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
MA 3
Exit 18
Toward Storrow Drive
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
18
Keep slight left at fork
213 ft
·
9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on MA 28
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Monsignor O'Brien Highway
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway, Somerville
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
23
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 33.3-mile trip, flexibility is key. You can depart Scituate at your convenience, but be mindful of potential rush hour traffic as you near Cambridge, especially on MA 3. While no specific stops are listed, the journey is under an hour, so you likely won't need extensive breaks. The estimated fuel cost of $5 makes it an economical choice for a quick excursion. A practical tip: keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from MA 3 to Main Street, as this can be a point where navigation can become more complex in urban environments.
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 16.7 miles from Scituate, MA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.7 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 33.3 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.7 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
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 Scituate, 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 Scituate, MA
This is one driving day of about 33.3 miles and 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Scituate, 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 Pilgrims Highway for about 10.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.7 mi from Scituate, MA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.7 miles from Scituate, 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
$5.33 one way
$10.66 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.81 | $11.62 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.32 | $12.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.35 | $14.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Cambridge, MA
Night in Cambridge on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
17 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
55m 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 Scituate, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 33.3 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, MA 3, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 miles from Scituate, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.33 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 17 significant decision points across 33.3 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: at 0.1 miles (Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Scituate, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Station and Somerville.
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