This 74.2-mile drive from North Plymouth, MA to Worcester, MA will take you about 1 hour and 34 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily using I-495 and US-44, making it an ideal day trip within the Northeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, this route is quite budget-friendly. The drive is predominantly on highways, with 91% of the journey on faster roads, so expect a consistent pace. You won't need to break this trip up overnight; it's easily manageable in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from North Plymouth, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
44.4 mi
51m
US 44
13.6 mi
14m
Turnpike Road
4.8 mi
7m
Boston Turnpike
4.1 mi
6m
Shrewsbury Street
1.5 mi
2m
Cherry Street
1.5 mi
2m
Belmont Street
1.4 mi
2m
Foster Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 44.4 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Plymouth, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on this road
201 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Hamilton Street
289 ft·18 sec·Hamilton Street
3
Turn left onto MA 3A
0.2 mi·34 sec·Court Street
4
Turn left onto Cherry Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Cherry Street
5
Turn left onto Commerce Way
0.2 mi·20 sec·Commerce Way
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 44 West
7
Merge onto US 44
14 mi·14 min·US 44
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Enter roundabout onto US 44
256 ft·3 sec·Harding Street
9
Continue on US 44
0.1 mi·13 sec·Harding Street
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 495 North: Marlboro, Boston
11
Merge onto I 495
44 mi·51 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 59BToward MA 9 West: WorcesterUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto MA 9
4.8 mi·7 min·Turnpike Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on MA 9
0.8 mi·1 min·Belmont Street
15
Continue on MA 9
4.1 mi·6 min·Boston Turnpike
16
Continue on MA 9
0.3 mi·41 sec·Boston Worcester Turnpike
17
Continue on MA 9
0.6 mi·1 min·Belmont Street
18
Turn slight left onto Shrewsbury Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Shrewsbury Street
19
Enter roundabout onto Front Street
168 ft·2 sec·Front Street
20
Continue on Front Street
427 ft·11 sec·Front Street
21
Turn right onto Foster Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·Foster Street
22
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 34-minute drive, starting earlier in the day is recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Worcester. Since the route is only 74.2 miles and predominantly highway, you won't need many extended stops. The longest stretch is 44.4 miles on I-495, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly. Given the low fuel cost of around $12, you won't need to worry much about budget, but it's always wise to have a full tank before departing North Plymouth. Take advantage of the short duration by being flexible with your departure time.
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 37.1 miles from North Plymouth, MA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 44m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Worcester, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Plymouth, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Plymouth, MA
This is one driving day of about 74.2 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Plymouth, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 44.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Hamilton Street
Turn right onto Hamilton Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MA 3A / Court Street
Turn left onto MA 3A / Court Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in|US 44
Merge onto US 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
16.3 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Marlboro, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Marlboro, Boston
7
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward MA 9 West: Worcester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 59B
Toward MA 9 West: Worcester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.87 one way
$23.75 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.95
$25.90
premium
$4.82
$14.09
$28.18
diesel
$5.61
$16.38
$32.76
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Turnpike Road
(4.8 mi)$0.34
Boston Turnpike
(4.1 mi)$0.29
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.3
0
$7.79
$3.56
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.49
$2.97
EV Truck/SUV
29.7
0
$10.39
$4.75
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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 21, 2026
Origin
North Plymouth, MA
Morning
in North Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Worcester, MA
Morning
in Worcester on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
12 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 34m 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.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 38.4
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 61.4
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 15.4
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$15
near mile 30.7
. . . 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...
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.
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 35.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 74.2-mile journey. The character is largely defined by its 91% highway share, offering a consistent and efficient pace. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 44.4 miles on I-495, providing ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate sections of US-44 and Turnpike Road, which may offer slightly different driving dynamics. Overall, it’s a drive built for covering distance with minimal interruption.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.4 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and US 44. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Hamilton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 3A / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (US 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from North Plymouth, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Explore fine arts, history, and take in a show in Worcester, a medium sized city in Central Massachusetts about an hour's drive west of Boston. Worcester's seven hills and their valleys contain top notch museums, nine colleges and universities, beautiful parks, and food from all over the globe.
Top landmarks
•Clark University — American private university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts
•Cathedral of Saint Paul — church in Massachusetts, United States
•Worcester Academy — private high school in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 74.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m 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 44.4 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 in tolls one way, starting with Turnpike Road. 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. 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: near the start (Hamilton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 3A / Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (US 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (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 Worcester, MA before heading back.
