Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
79.7 mi
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
The drive from Waltham, MA to Barnstable, MA covers 79.7 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Galen Street, Centre Street, Washington Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.83 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
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 55m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 50m drive with frequent turns across 79.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Galen Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Centre Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Saint James Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Massachusetts Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 93 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 93 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham, MA and Barnstable, MA.
Start on Main Street
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Galen Street
Continue on Centre Street
Continue on Centre Street
Turn straight onto Washington Street
Turn slight left onto Centre Street
Continue on Centre Street
Take the ramp slight left toward Centre Street
Continue on Washington Street
Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street
Continue on Saint James Street
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Boston
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
Take the exit slight left toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy
Keep slight left to continue on I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord New Hampshire
Keep slight left to continue on I 93 South: Quincy
Merge slight right onto John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Continue on Southeast Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Keep slight right to continue on Pilgrims Highway
Continue on Pilgrim Highway
Continue on Sagamore Bridge
Continue on Mid Cape Highway
Take the exit slight right toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
Keep slight left
Keep slight right
Turn straight onto Iyannough Road
Turn left onto Phinneys Lane
Continue on Hyannis Road
Turn right onto Bow Lane
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 55m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnstable, MA than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.9 mi from Waltham, MA · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 79.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$10.83 one way
$21.65 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $12.08 | $24.16 |
| premium | $4.15 | $13.02 | $26.04 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $11.77 | $23.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.37 | $3.83 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.97 | $3.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.9 | 0 | $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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Waltham on Saturday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Barnstable on Saturday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Waltham, MA or browse trips ending in Barnstable, MA.
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