Plymouth, MA to Westford, MA is 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 36m via Pilgrims Highway and US 3, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward, single-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, it's an accessible option for a quick transition between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.4 miles from Plymouth, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pilgrims Highway
27.5 mi
34m
US 3
10.9 mi
13m
MA 3
8.4 mi
11m
I 495
5 mi
5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
I 93
3.1 mi
4m
Cambridge Road
2 mi
2m
Cambridge Street
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 27.5 mi, about 34m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 360 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~5,164 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,085
Quietest
2 AM
~518 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 89 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MA and Westford, MA.
1
Start on MA 3A
0.2 mi·42 sec·Court Street
2
Turn left onto US 44
0.7 mi·1 min·Samoset Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 44
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 44
Toward MA 3 North: Kingston, Boston
4
Merge onto US 44; MA 3
27 mi·34 min·Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi·11 min·MA 3
Exit 43BToward I 93 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
3.1 mi·4 min·I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord NHUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on MA 16
1.1 mi·2 min·Mystic Valley Parkway
10
Turn right onto MA 38
0.1 mi·22 sec·Winthrop Street
Use the right lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street
117 ft·2 sec·Winthrop Street
12
Continue on Winthrop Street
1.3 mi·1 min·Winthrop Street
13
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi·46 sec·Main Street
14
Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street
94 ft·1 sec·Bacon Street
15
Continue on Bacon Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Bacon Street
16
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Church Street
17
Turn right onto US 3
1.1 mi·1 min·Cambridge Street
18
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·2 min·Cambridge Road
19
Continue on US 3
0.6 mi·47 sec·Cambridge Street
20
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 3
Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell
21
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
1.1 mi·1 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 3
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 3
Exit 50B-AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 3
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 3
9.8 mi·11 min·US 3
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 81B-CToward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, MarlboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 81BToward I 495 South: Marlboro
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
29
Merge onto I 495
5.0 mi·5 min·I 495
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Exit 83Toward WestfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
286 ft·7 sec
Toward Boston Road, Westford
32
Turn straight onto Boston Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Boston Road
33
Arrive at destination
Boston Road
Trip Plan
For this 1h 36m drive, leaving anytime mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of any local rush hour traffic. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel tired. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is around $10, so topping off before you leave Plymouth is a good idea. The longest continuous stretch is 27.5 miles on Pilgrims Highway, so plan your comfort needs around that.
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 35.4 miles from Plymouth, MA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.4 miles or 46m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westford, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plymouth, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plymouth, MA
This is one driving day of about 70.9 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Plymouth, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 27.5 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 40.3 and 63.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
40.3 mi into trip|~54m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 93 North: Concord NH
8
43.4 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22
Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlin...
8
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, 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 50B-A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
7
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
8
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
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 81B-C
Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlbor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.24 one way
$24.48 round trip
$4.39/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$13.56
$27.12
premium
$5.27
$14.70
$29.39
diesel
$6.28
$17.52
$35.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.3
0
$7.44
$3.40
Efficient EV
17.7
0
$6.20
$2.84
EV Truck/SUV
28.4
0
$9.93
$4.54
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Oct 25, 2026
Origin
Plymouth, MA
Morning
in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear then Patchy Frost
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Westford, MA
Morning
in Westford on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
25°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
W 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
10 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 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 53.8
. . . 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 34.2
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?
About 45% of this 70.9-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter a stretch of 27.5 miles on Pilgrims Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a mixed driving experience, blending highway cruising with surface road segments. The change from continuous highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on Pilgrims Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 40.3 miles in near I 93.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.9 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 40.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.8 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
395 ft10 ft
Total Climb
550 ft
Total Descent
204 ft
Highest Point
395 ft
~70.9 mi in
Elevation Range
385 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plymouth, MA and Westford, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro.
Plymouth is on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is most famous for being the final landing place of the Pilgrims who arrived on board the Mayflower in 1620, after storms lead them away from their desired settlement, the Hudson River. The settlement they established, Plimoth Colony, was one of the earliest successful settlements of Europeans in North America.
In addition to its obvious historical draws, modern-day Plymouth is a picturesque seaside town with a bustling summer resident population who come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, ponds, and forests. Although summer is Plymouth's peak tourist season, spring (before Memorial Day) and fall (after Labor Day) can be excellent times to visit. These bumper seasons are less crowded and certainly more comfortable temperature-wise.
Top landmarks
•Plymouth Rock — Historical important rock in Ply-mouth, Massachusetts, USA
•Plimoth Patuxet — museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
•Mayflower II — replica of the 17th-century ship Mayflower
Westford is a city in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. With a population of roughly 25,000 (2020), it's a thriving outer suburb of Lowell, with high tech industries. Nashoba Valley ski area is here.
Chelmsford is a town in Massachusetts with a population of about 36,000 (2020). It's about 20 minutes west of Lowell.
Top landmarks
•Russian Cemetery — historic cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts, United States
•Wright Cemetery — cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts
•Fairview Cemetery — cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 70.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.5 miles on Pilgrims Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Westford, 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 40.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.8 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Adams National Historical Park and Lowell 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 Westford, MA before heading back.
