Martha's Vineyard is about 6 nautical miles from Cape Cod by water, roughly 7 statute miles or 11 kilometers across Vineyard Sound from Woods Hole. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 7 nautical miles. It is a very short hop, the same crossing the main ferry makes in about 45 minutes, so fuel is never the concern: the real consideration is the strong reversing tidal current in the Woods Hole passage.
Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard distance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Straight-line distance | 6 nautical miles |
| Statute miles | 7 miles |
| Kilometers | 11 km |
| Typical on-the-water routing | about 7 nautical miles |
The run leaves Cape Cod through the Woods Hole passage and crosses Vineyard Sound to Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard. This is the main ferry crossing, a short hop of only a few miles, and the ferry covers it in about 45 minutes. The catch is the passage itself: the current through Woods Hole reverses hard, so time your transit for slack or a fair tide rather than fighting it. If you are starting from the mid-Cape instead, Hyannis to Oak Bluffs is the longer alternative at about 17 nautical miles.
How long does it take, and how much fuel, by boat type
These are real numbers from the same engine that powers our boat fuel calculator, run over the 6 nautical mile distance at a steady cruise. They assume one continuous run, so treat them as the underway total. Plug in your own boat in the calculator below to get your exact figure.
| Boat | Cruise | GPH | MPG | Trip time | Fuel | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft center console (twin 150s) | 28 mph | 17.2 | 1.6 | 15 min | 4 gal | $19 |
| 38 ft express cruiser (twin gas) | 26 mph | 43.0 | 0.6 | 16 min | 11 gal | $51 |
| 50 ft trawler (single diesel) | 10 mph | 21.7 | 0.5 | 41 min | 15 gal | $67 |
Fuel cost assumes $4.50 per gallon. On a hop this short the fuel burn is trivial for any boat, so the decision is really about timing the Woods Hole current, not range. Do not just scale from the table: run your own hull, load, and cruise speed.
Estimate the fuel for your own boat
The calculator below is pre-loaded with the Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard run. Change the engine, horsepower, load, cruise speed, and tank to match your boat and it recomputes the fuel, range, and time instantly.
Best season and weather for the run
Best window: May through October, the settled New England boating season.
The Woods Hole passage runs a strong reversing tidal current that can top four knots, so time the transit for slack or a fair tide. Vineyard Sound is short but exposed, and fog is frequent, so carry good radar and chartplotter habits even on a quick crossing. On a clear day with a fair tide it is one of the easiest short hops in New England.
Route notes
- Woods Hole passage (0 nm): the departure passage off Cape Cod. Strong reversing tidal current, so time it for slack or a fair tide.
- Vineyard Sound (about 3 nm): a short open crossing that is often foggy. Keep a sharp watch and run your radar in the murk.
- Vineyard Haven Harbor (6 nm): landfall on Martha's Vineyard. Mind the mooring field and the steady ferry traffic on the way in.
Gear to sort before you go
- A fuel system you trust: clean filters and a known tank gauge, so a short run stays a short run.
- Ground tackle sized for the mooring field and the exposed Vineyard Sound anchorages.
- A hull and gelcoat in good repair before a coastal run; fix the soft spots and chips at the dock, not at sea.
Need to get the boat run-ready first? See our fuel tanks and systems and marine gelcoats for the repair and maintenance supplies that keep a New England run uneventful.
Plan the rest of your trip
Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard: frequently asked questions
How far is Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard from Cape Cod (Woods Hole), MA?
Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard is about 6 nautical miles from Cape Cod (Woods Hole), MA, which is roughly 7 statute miles or 11 kilometers in a straight line. A typical on-the-water routing runs about 7 nautical miles.
How long does it take to get from Cape Cod (Woods Hole), MA to Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard by boat?
A 24 ft center console (twin 150s) cruising at about 28 mph covers the 6 nautical mile run in roughly 15 minutes. A slower trawler takes much longer, and a fast express cruiser a little less. Use the fuel calculator on this page to plug in your own boat.
How much fuel does the Cape Cod (Woods Hole), MA to Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard trip use?
The 24 ft center console (twin 150s) burns about 4 gallons on the 6 nautical mile run at roughly 17.2 gallons per hour and 1.6 miles per gallon. Your number depends on horsepower, load, and cruise speed, so run your own boat through the calculator below.
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