If you are planning to travel from Chelsea to Springfield, you are looking at a 94.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the drive. Navigating through the Northeast, you will rely on local roads rather than major interstates to reach your destination. It is a straightforward transit within Massachusetts, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer a direct route over a complex multi-day itinerary. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to complete the trip at your own pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Chelsea, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
82.8 mi
1h 38m
Tobin Bridge
4 mi
6m
Springfield Expressway
2.6 mi
3m
Saint James Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
State Street
0.9 mi
1m
Northeast Expressway
0.1 mi
<1m
Fifth Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Chestnut Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 82.8 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea, MA and Springfield, MA.
1
Start on Shawmut Street
212 ft·13 sec·Shawmut Street
2
Turn right onto Chester Avenue
526 ft·25 sec·Chester Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Hawthorn Street
403 ft·6 sec·Hawthorn Street
4
Continue on Broadway
450 ft·7 sec·Broadway
5
Turn left onto City Hall Avenue
434 ft·19 sec·City Hall Avenue
6
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Chestnut Street
7
Turn right onto Fifth Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Fifth Street
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 1 South: Boston
9
Merge onto US 1
0.1 mi·8 sec·Northeast Expressway
10
Continue on US 1
4.0 mi·6 min·Tobin Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 16AToward I 90 West: Mass Pike, South StationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Albany StreetUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 90 West: Albany Street, Mass Pike
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, WorcesterUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 90
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
28 mi·31 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·55 sec
Exit 51Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
18
Keep slight right at fork
348 ft·9 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
20
Continue on I 291
2.6 mi·3 min·Springfield Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 4Toward Chicopee Falls
22
Turn left onto Page Boulevard
384 ft·13 sec·Page Boulevard
23
Turn slight left onto Saint James Avenue
0.2 mi·15 sec·Saint James Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto Saint James Avenue
101 ft·2 sec·Saint James Avenue
25
Continue on Saint James Avenue
428 ft·8 sec·Saint James Avenue
26
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
27
Continue on Saint James Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Saint James Avenue
28
Turn right onto State Street
0.9 mi·1 min·State Street
29
Turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
30
Turn left onto Court Street
234 ft·22 sec·Court Street
31
Turn right onto City Hall Place
166 ft·7 sec·City Hall Place
32
Arrive at destination
City Hall Place
Trip Plan
Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, allow yourself a bit of extra time to account for traffic lights and local navigation. Since the trip is under two hours, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever it best suits your schedule without needing to plan for overnight rest. Keep your $13 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you are ready for the full 94.8 miles. Because you aren't spending time on highways, pay close attention to your navigation system to stay on track through the winding local segments. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 47.3 miles from Chelsea, MA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.8 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 1h 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chelsea, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chelsea, MA
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Chelsea, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 82.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 5.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hawthorn Street
At end of road, turn right onto Hawthorn Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
4.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, South Station
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, South Station
7
5.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 Toll West: Albany Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Albany Street
6
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Albany Street, Mass Pike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West: Albany Street, Mass Pike
9
5.7 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, Worcester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, Worcester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.12 one way
$30.25 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$16.49
$32.99
premium
$4.82
$17.94
$35.89
diesel
$5.61
$20.86
$41.73
Estimated Tolls: $4.97
Massachusetts Turnpike
(82.8 mi)$4.97
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
$15
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.92
$4.54
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
EV Truck/SUV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Chelsea, MA
Late night
in Chelsea on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, MA
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 58m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 3.3
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 16.3
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on surface streets like Chester Avenue, Hawthorn Street, and Broadway to move you across the state. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be cruising at high speeds on open freeways; instead, you will be navigating local traffic patterns. The longest stretch you will encounter is on Chester Avenue, as the road architecture is defined by frequent turns rather than long, straightaways. This character makes the drive feel more hands-on and connected to the local landscape as you transition from Chelsea toward Springfield.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.8 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Tobin Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hawthorn Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.5 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.1 miles (Hawthorn Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chelsea, MA and Springfield, MA, road signs point toward Station, Worcester and Hartford Connecticut.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.8 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.97 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 Springfield, 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 0.1 miles (Hawthorn Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Adams National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springfield, MA before heading back.
