Origin
Upton, MA
Evening in Upton on Wednesday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Upton, MA to Cambridge, MA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
55m
Distance
36.7 mi
59 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 56m
8 AM
1h 5m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Upton, MA
Italo Melo
Cambridge, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Upton, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 36.7 miles and takes about 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, I 495, Turnpike Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.1 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.87 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Upton, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 55m highway drive covering 36.7 miles, with most of the trip on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.1 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 19.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 495.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 36.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
9.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward MA 9 East: Framingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59A
Toward MA 9 East: Framingham
8
14.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpik...
8
34.2 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upton, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Springfield, Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East, Allston-Brighton, Fenway Park and Somerville.
Springfield
14.4 mi in
|
~22m
Boston
14.4 mi in
|
~22m
Massachusetts Turnpike East
14.7 mi in
|
~23m
Allston-Brighton
34.2 mi in
|
~47m
Fenway Park
34.2 mi in
|
~47m
Somerville
34.7 mi in
|
~48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 19.1 mi | 23m |
| I 495 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Turnpike Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West Main Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Hopkinton Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Worcester Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Prospect Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 19.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upton, MA and Cambridge, MA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn slight right onto School Street
349 ft
·
11 sec
·
School Street
3
Turn slight right onto Hopkinton Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Hopkinton Road
4
Continue on West Main Street
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
Merge onto I 495
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 59A
Toward MA 9 East: Framingham
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto MA 9
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Turnpike Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on MA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Worcester Road
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 90 West: Masspike, Springfield, Boston
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 90 East: Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 90
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 131
Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway Park
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway Park
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft
·
6 sec
·
Cambridge Street
16
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on Prospect Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Street
18
Turn left onto Hampshire Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Hampshire Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Cambridge Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Line Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Line Street
21
Turn left onto Leonard Avenue
460 ft
·
19 sec
·
Leonard Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Leonard Avenue
Trip Plan
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 18.4 miles from Upton, MA, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 36.7 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Upton, MA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Upton, MA
This is one driving day of about 36.7 miles and 55m.
At 36.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 19.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Upton, MA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Upton, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cambridge, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cambridge, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.87 one way
$11.75 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.41 | $12.81 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.97 | $13.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.10 | $16.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Massachusetts Turnpike
(19.1 mi)
$1.15
Turnpike Road
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
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
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.85 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.14 | $2.35 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Evening in Cambridge on Wednesday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 to 8 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
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
20 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
55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Upton, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 36.7 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, I 495, Turnpike Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from Upton, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.87 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 short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 36.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Upton, MA and Cambridge, MA, road signs point toward Springfield, Boston, Massachusetts Turnpike East, Allston-Brighton, Fenway Park and Somerville.
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