Trip from Waltham, MA to Barnstable, MA

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

79.7 mi

128 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 43m ★

6 AM

1h 51m

8 AM

2h 7m

10 AM

1h 57m

12 PM

1h 55m

3 PM

1h 57m

5 PM

2h 6m

8 PM

1h 46m

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

Waltham, MA

Pixabay

Barnstable, MA

www.kaboompics.com

Trip Overview

Traveling from Waltham to Barnstable covers 79.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. This trip is an ideal candidate for a one-day excursion, as it is short enough to complete in a single morning or afternoon. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the journey. Because both locations are situated within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional environment throughout the entire drive. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a brief change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a very manageable commitment.

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

39.9 miles from Waltham, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between urban environments and the coastal landscape of the Cape. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, utilizing MA 3, the Pilgrims Highway, and the Mid Cape Highway to navigate the distance. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.9 miles while traveling along MA 3. The road character shifts from the busy arteries near Waltham to the more consolidated traffic patterns of the highway system, requiring you to stay alert as you navigate these major thoroughfares toward Barnstable.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 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 3.9 miles in near Washington 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 79.7 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 3.9 miles (Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

3.9 mi into trip | ~8m in | Washington Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Washington Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

10.4 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 134C-B-A Toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshi...

10.5 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 134C-B Toward I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord...

10.6 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 93 South: Quincy

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 134C Toward I 93 South: Quincy

19.9 mi into trip | ~31m in | MA 3

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod

Towns Along This Route

Between Waltham, MA and Barnstable, MA, road signs point toward Concord New Hampshire and Quincy.

Concord New Hampshire

10.4 mi in | ~17m

Quincy

10.4 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MA 3	30.9 mi	39m
Mid Cape Highway	12.8 mi	17m
Pilgrims Highway	12 mi	15m
Southeast Expressway	8 mi	10m
Massachusetts Turnpike	6.2 mi	8m
Main Street	2.8 mi	5m
Iyannough Road	1.3 mi	2m
Phinneys Lane	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: MA 3 — 30.9 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 20

2.8 mi · 5 min · Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

253 ft · 9 sec

Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto MA 16

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Galen Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on Centre Street

499 ft · 19 sec · Centre Street

Continue on Centre Street

317 ft · 11 sec · Centre Street

Turn straight onto Washington Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Washington Street

Turn slight left onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Centre Street

Continue on Centre Street

70 ft · 2 sec · Centre Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Centre Street

Continue on Washington Street

286 ft · 6 sec · Washington Street

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Washington Street

302 ft · 6 sec · Washington Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on Saint James Street

181 ft · 3 sec · Saint James Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 90 East: Boston

Merge onto I 90

6.2 mi · 8 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

Use the straight / none lanes.

Take the exit

512 ft · 12 sec

Exit 134C-B-A Toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 10 sec

Exit 134C-B Toward I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord New Hampshire

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 134C Toward I 93 South: Quincy Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

8.0 mi · 10 min · Southeast Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3

31 mi · 39 min · MA 3

Exit 7 Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3

12 mi · 15 min · Pilgrims Highway

Continue on MA 3

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Pilgrim Highway

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge

Continue on US 6

13 mi · 17 min · Mid Cape Highway

Use the none / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 68 Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis

Keep slight left at fork

304 ft · 8 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Turn straight onto MA 132

1.3 mi · 2 min · Iyannough Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Phinneys Lane

1.3 mi · 2 min · Phinneys Lane

Use the left lane.

Continue on Hyannis Road

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Hyannis Road

Turn right onto Bow Lane

185 ft · 8 sec · Bow Lane

Arrive at destination

Bow Lane

Trip Plan

Since this is a compact 1 hour and 50 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though it is wise to account for potential traffic congestion on major highways. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through comfortably. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Waltham to ensure you start with enough gas to cover the $13 estimated cost without needing to refuel mid-trip. Because you will be utilizing the Mid Cape Highway, be prepared for shifting traffic density as you reach the final leg of your journey into Barnstable.

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 39.9 miles from Waltham, MA, or about 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 79.7 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.9 miles or 56m 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 32m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Waltham, 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 Waltham, MA

This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waltham, 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 MA 3 for about 30.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.9 mi from Waltham, MA · 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

40 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

Fall River, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rocky Point, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Barnstable, MA

The final approach into Barnstable, 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 Barnstable, 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

$12.69 one way

$25.37 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$13.80	$27.59
premium	$4.80	$15.06	$30.12
diesel	$5.64	$17.71	$35.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.37

Massachusetts Turnpike (6.2 mi) $0.37

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

$13

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	23.9	$8.37	$3.83
Efficient EV	19.9	$6.97	$3.19
EV Truck/SUV	31.9	$11.16	$5.10

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 2 days ago

Origin

Waltham, MA

Afternoon in Waltham on Sunday

Local time

3:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barnstable, MA

Afternoon in Barnstable on Sunday

Local time

3:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

40 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.

Road read

1h 50m 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 Waltham, MA to Barnstable, MA covers 79.7 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39.9 miles from Waltham, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.69 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.

Between Waltham, MA and Barnstable, MA, road signs point toward Concord New Hampshire and Quincy.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Barnstable, MA to Waltham, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

79.4 mi 1h 50m

Explore more options from Waltham, MA or browse trips ending in Barnstable, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Explore maps for Waltham, MA or Barnstable, MA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Waltham, MA to Barnstable, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Barnstable, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waltham, MA

Barnstable, MA

Same local time

1h 50m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Barnstable, MA

More from Waltham, MA

More trips to Barnstable, MA