Ludlow Service Plaza Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Springfield, MA to Cochituate, MA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
74 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Cochituate, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 74-mile drive from Springfield, MA to Cochituate, MA will take you about 1 hour and 31 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 94% of it on major roads, making for an efficient journey. You can expect to spend around $12 on fuel for this trip. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping you within familiar territory. This drive offers a practical and quick way to travel between these two Massachusetts locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Springfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 65 mi | 1h 15m |
| Springfield Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Commonwealth Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Cochituate Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Boland Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 65 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,981 veh/hr typical · worst 3,704
Quietest
2 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Springfield, MA and Cochituate, 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 7
Toward 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 117
Toward MA 30: Natick, Framingham
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward MA 30 East: Natick, Wellesley
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto MA 30
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Cochituate Road
15
Continue on MA 30
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Commonwealth Road
16
Turn left onto MA 27
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
17
Turn right
88 ft
·
8 sec
18
Turn right
44 ft
·
3 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 31-minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility. Leaving Springfield, MA in the morning, perhaps before peak traffic, will ensure a smooth start. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 65 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, you won't need frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The estimated fuel cost of $12 is quite manageable. Consider this a trip where you can depart at your leisure and arrive with plenty of time for your activities in Cochituate.
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 miles from Springfield, MA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 37 miles or 45m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cochituate, 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 74 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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 65 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37 miles from Springfield, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Massachusetts Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Charlton Service Plaza Eastbound
0 mi from route
Charlton Service Plaza Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Framingham Service Plaza Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Ludlow Service Plaza Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Westborough Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Natick Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Titanic Historical Society
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Indian Orchard, Massachusetts
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14135434770
Visit websiteEcoTarium
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Worcester, Massachusetts
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15089292700
Visit websiteDementedFX
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Hours: Closed
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 71.8 — 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
8
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward MA 30: Natick, Framingham
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 117
Toward MA 30: Natick, Framingham
8
71.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 30 East: Natick, Wellesley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MA 30 East: Natick, Wellesley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.12 one way
$26.25 round trip
$4.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.90 | $14.27 | $28.54 |
| premium | $5.29 | $15.41 | $30.83 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $15.59 | $31.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.90
Massachusetts Turnpike
(65 mi)
$3.90
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.77 | $3.55 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.48 | $2.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
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.
Origin
Springfield, MA
Afternoon in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Rain Showers
NE 7 mph
77% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Cochituate, MA
Afternoon in Cochituate on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Rain Showers
E 8 mph
87% chance
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
1 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 31m 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.
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 7.7
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 74
View on nps.gov
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.
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 74
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
$15
near mile 74
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 74
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 74
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Get ready for a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 94% of this 74-mile trip utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Massachusetts Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 65 miles. This means you'll encounter higher speeds and less frequent turns. The Springfield Expressway will get you started before merging onto the Turnpike, and Commonwealth Road will likely be your final approach. Expect a consistent driving pace for most of the journey, minimizing complex navigation.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Springfield Expressway. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74 miles you will encounter 13 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
748 ft
67 ft
Total Climb
681 ft
Total Descent
574 ft
Highest Point
748 ft
~42.3 mi in
Elevation Range
681 ft
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 Springfield, MA and Cochituate, MA, road signs point toward Albany and Boston.
Albany
5.7 mi in
|
~8m
Boston
5.9 mi in
|
~9m
About the Cities
Starting in Springfield, MA
Full guide →Founded 1636
Springfield is the largest city on the Connecticut River, in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, USA. It sits 24 miles (40 km) north of Hartford, Connecticut, and 5 miles (8 km) north of the Connecticut state line. Springfield and Hartford are the principal cities in the Knowledge Corridor - the second largest urban region in New England with 1.9 million people, 29 universities and colleges, and 120,000 university students.
Top landmarks
- • Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Historic District — historic district in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
- • Michele & Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts — art museum in Springfield, Massachusetts
- • Springfield Science Museum — museum in Springfield, Massachusetts
Arriving in Cochituate, MA
Full guide →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 31m. Total distance: 74 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.90 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Cochituate, 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, Minute Man National Historical Park and Boston 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 Cochituate, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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