Origin
Princeton, MA
Morning in Princeton on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Princeton, MA to Springfield, MA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
68.7 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Princeton, MA
Clément Proust
Springfield, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This relatively short, 68.7-mile drive from Princeton to Springfield, MA, can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The majority of your journey, 83% to be exact, will be on highways, primarily utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-190, and I-290. Given the short duration and straightforward route, no overnight stops are necessary. You can expect a fuel cost of around $11 for this trip. This highway-focused drive is a practical way to travel within the Northeast region, connecting two points in Massachusetts without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Princeton, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 38.7 mi | 44m |
| I 190 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| I 290 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Sterling Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Springfield Expressway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Redemption Rock Trail | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Saint James Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 38.7 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton, MA and Springfield, MA.
1
Start on MA 62
135 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hubbardston Road
2
Continue on MA 31; MA 62
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gregory Hill Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 62
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Sterling Road
4
Continue on MA 62
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Princeton Road
5
Turn right onto MA 140
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Redemption Rock Trail
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
7
Merge onto I 190
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 190
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 290 West: Auburn
9
Merge onto I 290
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 290
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 12B
Toward MA 12 South: Webster
11
Turn left onto Oxford Street
466 ft
·
10 sec
·
Oxford Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto MA 12
446 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southbridge Street
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
15
Merge onto I 90
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
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 51
Toward 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 4
Toward 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
As this drive is only 68.7 miles and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Princeton, MA, during off-peak hours will help you avoid any potential local traffic congestion before you merge onto the main highways. The estimated fuel cost is $11, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off. While there are no specific recommended stops noted, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 38.7-mile stretch on the Massachusetts Turnpike, to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey to Springfield, MA.
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 34.4 miles from Princeton, MA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.7 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 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 14m
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 Princeton, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Princeton, MA
This is one driving day of about 68.7 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Princeton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 38.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Princeton, 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 15.1 and 62.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.1 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 West: Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 290 West: Auburn
5
22.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward MA 12 South: Webster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 12B
Toward MA 12 South: Webster
5
23 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
Oxford Street
Turn left onto Oxford Street
Navigation decision point
6
35.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.99 one way
$21.99 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
| premium | $4.82 | $13.04 | $26.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.32
Massachusetts Turnpike
(38.7 mi)
$2.32
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
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.01 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.62 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Springfield, MA
Morning in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
2 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 30m 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.
New England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 61.6
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 4.7
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 4.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 68.7-mile journey. With 83% of the route on highways, you'll experience a predominantly fast-paced travel experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.7 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, offering a period of consistent speed. The route is characterized by its efficiency, primarily utilizing major interstates like I-190 and I-290 before merging onto the Massachusetts Turnpike. It's designed for direct travel rather than scenic exploration.
83% 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: 38.7 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 190. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 22 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 15.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 23 miles (Oxford Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
On the drive from Princeton, MA to Springfield, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hartford Connecticut along the way.
Hartford Connecticut
62.9 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 68.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.7 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.32 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 15.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 23 miles (Oxford Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — New England National Scenic Trail, Minute Man National Historical Park and Lowell National Historical Park. 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.
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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