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Trip from West Dennis, MA to Cambridge, MA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

79.4 mi

128 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

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

Downtown West Dennis, MA, MA

West Dennis, MA

David Kanigan

city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from West Dennis, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, MA 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.71 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

39.7 miles from West Dennis, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 51m drive with frequent turns across 79.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 42.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.6 miles in near MA 3.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 76.6 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | MA 3

Take the exit onto MA 3 toward Storrow Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 18 Toward Storrow Drive
6
77 mi into trip | ~1h 43m 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
77.1 mi into trip | ~1h 44m 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
77.7 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
5
79.3 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | Leonard Avenue

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pilgrims Highway 42.3 mi 53m
Mid Cape Highway 19.5 mi 26m
MA 3 8.9 mi 12m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway 2.5 mi 4m
Station Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
Cambridge Street 1.4 mi 4m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Sagamore Bridge 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pilgrims Highway — 42.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Dennis, MA and Cambridge, MA.

1

Start on MA 28

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Continue on MA 28

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Bridge Street
3

Turn right onto North Main Street

256 ft · 5 sec · North Main Street
4

Turn left onto Station Avenue

2.3 mi · 4 min · Station Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
6

Merge onto US 6

19 mi · 26 min · Mid Cape Highway
7

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge
8

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Pilgrim Highway
9

Continue on MA 3

42 mi · 53 min · Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on MA 3

8.4 mi · 11 min · MA 3
Exit 43B Toward I 93 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

2.5 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto MA 3

0.5 mi · 58 sec · MA 3
Exit 18 Toward Storrow Drive
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward MA 28 North: Leverett Circle, North Station
14

Keep slight left at fork

213 ft · 9 sec
Toward MA 28 North: O'Brien Highway Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on MA 28

0.3 mi · 1 min · Charles River Dam Road
Use the straight lane.
16

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.
17

Turn left onto Cambridge Street

1.4 mi · 4 min · Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Turn right onto Line Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Line Street
19

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue
20

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 39.7 miles from West Dennis, MA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 17 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.7 miles or 54m 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 29m

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 West Dennis, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from West Dennis, MA

This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from West Dennis, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 42.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.7 mi from West Dennis, MA · 54m into the drive

Downtown Norwell, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Norwell, MA

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

West Barnstable, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from West Dennis, 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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.71 one way

$25.41 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.86 $27.71
premium $4.82 $15.08 $30.15
diesel $5.61 $17.53 $35.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.34 $3.81
Efficient EV 19.9 0 $6.95 $3.18
EV Truck/SUV 31.8 0 $11.12 $5.08

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 as of Mar 5, 2022

Origin

West Dennis, MA

Evening in West Dennis on Wednesday

Local time

7:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Evening in Cambridge on Wednesday

Local time

7:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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

1h 51m 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 West Dennis, MA to Cambridge, MA covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, MA 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from West Dennis, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.71 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 79.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 76.6 miles (MA 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from West Dennis, MA to Cambridge, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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