Spanning 65.3 miles across Massachusetts, this trip from Barre to Somerville is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Since the entire route stays within the Northeast region, you won't experience major climate or time zone shifts along the way. Expect to budget roughly $9 for fuel, making this an affordable transit between the rural landscape of Barre and the dense urban environment of Somerville. Because the total duration is quite short, you can easily handle this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. It serves as a practical connection for those looking to traverse the state without relying on high-speed interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.2 miles from Barre, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
34 mi
40m
Pleasant Street
6.8 mi
12m
Worcester Road
6.1 mi
11m
Barre Paxton Road
4.5 mi
6m
Grafton Street
3.4 mi
4m
Chandler Street
2.9 mi
4m
Summer Street
1.3 mi
2m
Prospect Street
0.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 34 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barre, MA and Somerville, MA.
1
Start on MA 32; MA 122
171 ft·2 sec·Concert Mall
2
Continue on MA 32; MA 122
1.2 mi·1 min·Summer Street
3
Continue on MA 122
6.1 mi·11 min·Worcester Road
4
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
5
Continue on MA 122
3.6 mi·5 min·Barre Paxton Road
6
Continue on MA 122
6.8 mi·12 min·Pleasant Street
7
Turn right onto MA 122
2.9 mi·4 min·Chandler Street
8
Turn left onto Murray Avenue
301 ft·9 sec·Murray Avenue
9
Turn right onto Austin Street
232 ft·6 sec·Austin Street
10
Continue on Myrtle Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Myrtle Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto McGrath Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·McGrath Boulevard
12
Continue on Foster Street
101 ft·2 sec·Foster Street
13
Turn slight right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Franklin Street
14
Turn right onto Harding Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Harding Street
15
Turn left onto Winter Street
326 ft·8 sec·Winter Street
16
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi·41 sec·Grafton Street
17
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
39 ft·0 sec·Grafton Street
18
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi·3 min·Grafton Street
19
Continue on MA 122
0.4 mi·59 sec·Grafton Road
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
22
Merge onto I 90
34 mi·40 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 131Toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge, Fenway ParkUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Cambridge, Somerville, Fenway ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn slight right onto Cambridge Street
180 ft·6 sec·Cambridge Street
26
Continue on River Street
0.8 mi·2 min·River Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Continue on Prospect Street
0.9 mi·3 min·Prospect Street
28
Turn slight left onto Webster Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·Webster Avenue
29
Continue on Bow Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Bow Street
30
Turn slight right onto Summer Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Summer Street
31
Turn right onto Prescott Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·Prescott Street
32
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Highland Avenue
33
Turn right
163 ft·12 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the lack of formal stops on this 65.3-mile route, it is wise to fuel up your vehicle before departing Barre to ensure you don't need to hunt for a station mid-trip. Since you are navigating local roads for the full 1 hour and 25 minutes, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, which can significantly impact your travel time on these specific connectors. The flexibility of a short, single-day trip is your biggest advantage, allowing you to easily adjust your schedule if you encounter unexpected road work. Because this route relies on Summer Street and Barre Paxton Road, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track during the numerous turns. You have the freedom to pace the drive however you like, as there is no pressure to cover massive distances in one sitting.
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 32.2 miles from Barre, MA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 14 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 52m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerville, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barre, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barre, MA
This is one driving day of about 64.4 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Barre, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 64.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.1 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
27.1 mi into trip|~46m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
5
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|Highland Avenue
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.31 one way
$20.61 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.24
$22.48
premium
$4.82
$12.23
$24.46
diesel
$5.61
$14.22
$28.44
Estimated Tolls: $2.04
Massachusetts Turnpike
(34 mi)$2.04
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
$10
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
Efficient EV
16.1
0
$5.64
$2.58
EV Truck/SUV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Barre, MA
Night
in Barre on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Somerville, MA
Night
in Somerville on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
32 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.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than drifting through a monotonous highway grind. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads like Summer Street, Worcester Road, and Barre Paxton Road for the entirety of the 65.3-mile distance. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on Summer Street is 0 miles, meaning you'll be making constant adjustments. This path avoids major expressways entirely, focusing instead on the practical, winding nature of local Massachusetts infrastructure. It is a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention throughout the 1-hour and 25-minute duration.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 26.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 27.1 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Barre, MA and Somerville, MA, road signs point toward Allston-Brighton, Cambridge and Fenway Park.
Older Bostonians might still derisively call it "Slummerville", but today that tired old moniker couldn't be further from the truth. Packed with upwardly mobile professionals and longtime residents, Somerville is often voted an "All-America City" and the best-run city in Massachusetts. It would seem civically engaged folks can achieve uncommon results; and Somerville fosters an environment of cooperation like no other. Its 81,000 residents (2020) are quick to enjoy the fruits of their artistry, and you'll find top notch options for dinner, drinks, and dancing all in abundance within Somerville's borders. Lurking just to the south, big brothers Boston and Cambridge provide options and opportunities for many of Somerville's creative class residents.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 64.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.04 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Somerville, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 27.1 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Somerville, MA before heading back.
