Trip from Lawrence, MA to Monson, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

84.7 mi

136 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 44m ★

6 AM

1h 52m

8 AM

2h 9m

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lawrence, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Monson, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lawrence, MA to Monson, MA covers 84.7 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 495, I 290, Massachusetts Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.7 miles on I 495. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.56 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.

Midpoint

42.3 miles from Lawrence, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 495	32.7 mi	37m
I 290	19.6 mi	24m
Massachusetts Turnpike	11.2 mi	12m
Sturbridge Road	4 mi	5m
Brimfield Road	3 mi	4m
Main Street	2.3 mi	5m
Palmer Road	2.3 mi	2m
Wilbur Cross Highway	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 495 — 32.7 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawrence, MA and Monson, MA.

Start on Essex Street

82 ft · 5 sec · Essex Street

Turn right onto Amesbury Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Amesbury Street

Continue on MA 114

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Parker Street

Continue on MA 114

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Winthrop Avenue

Turn right onto South Union Street

0.5 mi · 54 sec · South Union Street

Continue on Connector Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Connector Road

Turn straight onto MA 28

162 ft · 4 sec · South Broadway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 495

9.2 mi · 10 min · I 495

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 89C-B-A Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Merge onto I 495

23 mi · 27 min · I 495

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 65B Toward I 290 West: Worcester

Merge onto I 290

20 mi · 24 min · I 290

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec

Exit 12B Toward MA 12 South: Webster

Turn left onto Oxford Street

466 ft · 10 sec · Oxford Street

At end of road, turn right onto MA 12

446 ft · 9 sec · Southbridge Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 West

Merge onto I 90

11 mi · 12 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 84

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wilbur Cross Highway

Exit 78 Toward I 84: Hartford, New York City Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Exit 6B Toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer

Merge onto US 20

436 ft · 8 sec · Charlton Road

Take the exit

392 ft · 14 sec

Continue on US 20

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Charlton Road

Continue on US 20

1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Continue on US 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · Brimfield Road

Continue on US 20

4.0 mi · 5 min · Sturbridge Road

Continue on US 20

366 ft · 6 sec · Sturbridge Road

Continue on US 20; MA 19

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 20

2.3 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road

Turn left

49 ft · 3 sec

Turn right onto Main Palmer Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Main Palmer Road

Continue on Monson Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Monson Road

Continue on Brimfield Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Brimfield Road

Continue on Bethany Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Bethany Road

Continue on Chestnut Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Chestnut Street

Continue on MA 32

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto Harrison Avenue

233 ft · 10 sec · Harrison Avenue

Arrive at destination

Harrison 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 42.3 miles from Lawrence, MA, or about 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 19 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.3 miles or 51m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monson, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Lawrence, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lawrence, MA

This is one driving day of about 84.7 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Lawrence, MA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 32.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worcester, MA

42 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

Boxborough, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boylston, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.3 miles from Lawrence, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Francesco's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Brimfield, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 78.6

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14132454640

Visit website

Village Pizza Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

0.3 mi

Yong Shing Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Auburn, Massachusetts

0.6 mi

Francesco's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 78.6

Brimfield, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14132454640

Visit website

Village Pizza Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.6

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15083478177

Visit website

Yong Shing Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 54.4

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–12:30 pm

+15088320622

Visit website

Main Street Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 84.7

Monson, Massachusetts

Hours: 4–11 pm

+14138939078

Visit website

Torito Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 48.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+15083048665

Visit website

2 Chefs Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 48.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+15084599229

Visit website

Belmont Vegetarian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 12–7 pm

+15087988898

Visit website

Restaurant Pizza Works

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15088539066

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 12.1

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 12.1

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 48.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15089292700

Visit website

Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Methuen, Massachusetts

Hours: 3:30–7:30 pm

+19786553379

Visit website

The Billiards Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 24.2

Ayer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+19787727665

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 70.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro

11.5 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

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 89C-B-A Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

11.8 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

68.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | I 84 / Wilbur Cross Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 84 / Wilbur Cross Highway toward I 84: Hartford, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 78 Toward I 84: Hartford, New York City

70.4 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Take the exit toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 6B Toward US 20 West: Sturbridge, Palmer

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.56 one way

$27.11 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$14.78	$29.56
premium	$4.82	$16.08	$32.17
diesel	$5.61	$18.70	$37.40

Estimated Tolls: $0.67

Massachusetts Turnpike (11.2 mi) $0.67

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

$14

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.4	$8.89	$4.07
Efficient EV	21.2	$7.41	$3.39
EV Truck/SUV	33.9	$11.86	$5.42

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Lawrence, MA

Afternoon in Lawrence on Sunday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Monson, MA

Afternoon in Monson on Sunday

Local time

2:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Worcester, MA

42 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

16 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 52m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

84.7 mi in 1h 52m, mostly highway — 32.7 mi of that is on I 495.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on I 495.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and I 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 24 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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lawrence, MA and Monson, MA, road signs point toward Nashua New Hampshire, New York City and Palmer.

Nashua New Hampshire

11.5 mi in | ~15m

New York City

68.8 mi in | ~1h 25m | via I 84

Palmer

70.4 mi in | ~1h 28m

About the Cities

Starting in Lawrence, MA

Full guide →

Lawrence is a city in Massachusetts with a population of about 89,000 (2020). Methuen is a city in Massachusetts with a population of 53,000 (2020).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 84.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.67 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.

Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Monson, 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monson, MA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Lawrence, MA to Monson, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Francesco's Restaurant

Francesco's Restaurant

Village Pizza Restaurant

Yong Shing Restaurant

Main Street Tavern

Torito Mexican Restaurant

2 Chefs Italian Restaurant & Bar

Belmont Vegetarian Restaurant

Restaurant Pizza Works

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

AmpUp Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Charlton Service Plaza Westbound

Rest Area

Rest Area

Charlton Service Plaza Eastbound

Rest Area

EcoTarium

Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen

The Billiards Cafe

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lawrence, MA

Monson, MA

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 52m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Lawrence, MA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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