If you are planning a trip from Springfield to Ashburnham, expect a 62.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable enough that you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $10, making it an affordable trek across the Northeast. By utilizing a mix of the Massachusetts Turnpike, Springfield Expressway, and Barre Road, you will transition efficiently between regions. It is a straightforward drive, ideal for those who prefer to spend their time at the destination rather than behind the wheel all day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.3 miles from Springfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
10.9 mi
12m
Barre Road
6.2 mi
11m
Springfield Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Ware Street
4.2 mi
7m
Lower Road
3.5 mi
6m
Williamsville Road
3.3 mi
6m
South Street
3.3 mi
5m
MA 2
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 10.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, MA and Ashburnham, MA.
1
Start on City Hall Place
164 ft·7 sec·City Hall Place
2
Continue on Pynchon Street
403 ft·19 sec·Pynchon Street
3
Turn right onto East Columbus Avenue
282 ft·9 sec·East Columbus Avenue
4
Turn right onto Boland Way
0.1 mi·9 sec·Boland Way
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Harrison Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
At end of road, turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.5 mi·47 sec·Chestnut Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
8
Merge onto I 291; US 20
4.4 mi·5 min·Springfield Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7Toward I 90 Toll: Boston, Albany
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East Toll: Worcester, Boston
11
Merge onto I 90
11 mi·12 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 63Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
13
Turn sharp left onto MA 32
0.7 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on MA 32
0.2 mi·19 sec·Ware Road
15
Continue on MA 32
4.2 mi·7 min·Ware Street
16
Continue on MA 32
1.9 mi·4 min·Palmer Road
17
Continue on MA 32
1.4 mi·2 min·West Street
18
Merge onto MA 9; MA 32
0.2 mi·36 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto Church Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Church Street
20
Continue on Upper Church Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Upper Church Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto MA 32
0.5 mi·55 sec·Gilbertville Road
22
Continue on MA 32
0.2 mi·17 sec·Ware Road
23
Continue on MA 32
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
24
Turn slight right onto MA 32
0.2 mi·22 sec·Church Street
25
Continue on MA 32
3.5 mi·6 min·Lower Road
26
Continue on MA 32
2.3 mi·4 min·Barre Road
27
Continue on MA 32
1.0 mi·1 min·Wheelwright Road
28
Keep slight left at fork onto South Street
3.3 mi·5 min·South Street
29
Turn left onto MA 62
206 ft·5 sec·Exchange Street
30
Turn right onto School Street North
0.7 mi·1 min·School Street North
31
Continue on Williamsville Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Williamsville Road
32
Turn straight onto Burnshirt Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Burnshirt Road
33
Continue on Barre Road
3.9 mi·7 min·Barre Road
34
At end of road, turn right onto MA 101
0.4 mi·46 sec·Dudley Road
35
Turn right onto MA 2A; MA 101
0.9 mi·1 min·Patriots Road
36
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
37
Merge onto MA 2
2.5 mi·3 min·MA 2
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 86Toward MA 68: Gardner, Hubbardston
39
Enter roundabout onto MA 68
0.1 mi·15 sec·Timpany Boulevard
40
Continue on MA 68
276 ft·5 sec·Timpany Boulevard
41
Continue on MA 68
402 ft·8 sec·Donlan Street
42
Keep slight right at fork onto Main Street
416 ft·17 sec·Main Street
43
Turn left onto Pine Street
376 ft·12 sec·Pine Street
44
Turn right onto Logan Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Logan Street
45
At end of road, turn left onto Chestnut Street
137 ft·5 sec·Chestnut Street
46
Turn right onto Temple Street
469 ft·15 sec·Temple Street
47
At end of road, turn right onto Elm Street
20 ft·6 sec·Elm Street
48
Turn left
94 ft·9 sec
49
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Lawrence Street
50
At end of road, turn right onto MA 101
2.5 mi·4 min·Pearl Street
51
Continue on MA 101
0.5 mi·57 sec·Gardner Road
52
Continue on MA 101
1.5 mi·2 min·Center Street
53
Continue on MA 101
1.1 mi·2 min·Central Street
54
At end of road, turn right onto MA 12; MA 101
448 ft·13 sec·Main Street North
55
Turn left onto MA 101
136 ft·2 sec·Water Street
56
Arrive at destination
MA 101
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will help you maintain that 1 hour and 48-minute travel estimate. Because the route is quite compact, you likely won't need to plan for formal stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out to ensure your $10 budget covers the distance comfortably. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, ensure your tires are properly inflated for better handling on the tighter stretches. Take advantage of the fact that no overnight stay is required, allowing you to head back whenever you are ready. Prioritize comfort, as the winding nature of the non-highway sections makes a steady pace more important than high speeds.
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 31.3 miles from Springfield, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 14 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.3 miles or 50m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashburnham, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springfield, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Springfield, MA
This is one driving day of about 62.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Springfield, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 10.9 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 18 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Boland Way
Turn right onto Boland Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
5.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 90 Toll: Boston, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward I 90 Toll: Boston, Albany
6
5.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East Toll: Worcester, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East Toll: Worcester, Boston
6
17.4 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
7
18 mi into trip|~25m in|MA 32 / Thorndike Street
Turn sharp left onto MA 32 / Thorndike Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.02 one way
$20.04 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$10.93
$21.85
premium
$4.82
$11.89
$23.77
diesel
$5.61
$13.82
$27.64
Estimated Tolls: $0.66
Massachusetts Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.66
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.8
0
$6.57
$3.00
Efficient EV
15.7
0
$5.48
$2.50
EV Truck/SUV
25
0
$8.76
$4.01
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Springfield, MA
Night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ashburnham, MA
Night
in Ashburnham on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Hardwick, MA
31 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
27 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 48m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 62.6-mile path offers a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate haul. With only 28% of the trip consisting of highway driving, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that demand more focus than a typical freeway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is just 10.9 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, meaning you will frequently transition between different types of roadways. Expect the character of the drive to shift as you leave the Springfield area and head toward the more local, winding sections. Be prepared for a dynamic experience that keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel throughout the entire duration.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.9 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Boland Way.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.6 miles you will encounter 31 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 0.2 miles (Boland Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 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 Springfield, MA and Ashburnham, MA, road signs point toward Albany, Boston, Ware and Hubbardston.
Albany
5.7 mi in|~8m
Boston
5.9 mi in|~9m
Ware
17.4 mi in|~23m
Hubbardston
55.2 mi in|~1h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 62.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.9 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.66 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 Ashburnham, 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 0.2 miles (Boland Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New England National Scenic Trail. 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 Ashburnham, MA before heading back.
