Origin
North Reading, MA
Late night in North Reading on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Reading, MA to Worcester, 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 12m
Distance
57.5 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Reading, MA
Phil Evenden
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
North Reading, MA to Worcester, MA is 57.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 12 minutes via I-495 and I-290, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily in Massachusetts. It's a practical, highway-focused journey designed for efficiency. You'll find it's a convenient option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, making it ideal for a quick trip or a segment of a larger New England adventure.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 30.6 mi | 35m |
| I 290 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| I 93 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Park Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Lowell Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Salem Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Winter Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 30.6 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Reading, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on Haverhill Street
427 ft
·
13 sec
·
Haverhill Street
2
Turn right onto MA 62
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
3
Continue on MA 62
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Winter Street
4
Turn right onto MA 28; MA 62
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn left onto MA 62
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Road
6
Continue on MA 62
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Salem Street
7
Turn straight onto MA 62
504 ft
·
15 sec
·
Route 62
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 93 North: Lawrence, Concord New Hampshire
9
Merge onto I 93
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 40B
Toward I 495 South: Lowell
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 495
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
16
Merge onto I 495
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 65B
Toward I 290 West: Worcester
18
Merge onto I 290
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 21
Toward Ware, Framingham
20
Turn right onto MA 70
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Lincoln Street
21
Turn right onto MA 9
158 ft
·
2 sec
·
Lincoln Square
22
Turn left onto Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.7 miles from North Reading, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 56.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 North: Lawrence, Concord New Hampshire
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 North: Lawrence, Concord New Hampsh...
7
11.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 40B
Toward I 495 South: Lowell
8
18.6 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
7
18.8 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
6
56.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward Ware, Framingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 21
Toward Ware, Framingham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.20 one way
$18.40 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.04 | $20.07 |
| premium | $4.82 | $10.92 | $21.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.70 | $25.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Worcester, MA
Late night in Worcester on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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 12m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I-495 and I-290. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 30.6 miles on I-495, which forms the bulk of the initial part of your trip. Expect relatively consistent driving conditions as you navigate these main roads. The character of the drive is efficient and direct, prioritizing speed and ease of travel over scenic detours, offering a clear path to your destination.
87% 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: 30.6 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 4.3 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 57.5 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 4.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Reading, MA and Worcester, MA, road signs point toward Concord New Hampshire and Nashua New Hampshire.
Concord New Hampshire
4.3 mi in
|
~8m
Nashua New Hampshire
18.6 mi in
|
~25m
About the Cities
Arriving in Worcester, MA
Full guide →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.
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 12m. Total distance: 57.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.6 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Worcester, 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 4.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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