Origin
Springfield, MA
Late night in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, MA to Lancaster, 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 36m
Distance
74.3 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Lancaster, MA
Italo Melo
Trip Overview
Springfield, MA to Lancaster, MA is 74.3 miles and takes about 1h 36m via the Massachusetts Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Massachusetts, making it a straightforward journey. The route is primarily highway-focused, suggesting a quick and efficient drive. Since it's a short trip with a low fuel cost, it's ideal for a same-day excursion. You'll find it convenient for a quick transfer between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Springfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 38.3 mi | 44m |
| I 190 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| I 290 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Springfield Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 3.9 mi | 8m |
| Chestnut Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Thayer Memorial Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 38.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, MA and Lancaster, 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
38 mi
·
44 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 395, I 290
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 290
16
Continue on I 290
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 290
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 19; 20
Toward I 190 North, MA 70: Sterling, Leominster, Burncoat Street, Lincoln Street
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 22
Toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
19
Continue on I 190
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 190
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 7
Toward MA 117: Leominster, Lancaster
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
22
Turn straight onto MA 117
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
23
Continue on MA 70
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
24
Turn left onto Thayer Memorial Drive
194 ft
·
15 sec
·
Thayer Memorial Drive
25
Continue on Thayer Memorial Drive
437 ft
·
31 sec
·
Thayer Memorial Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Thayer Memorial Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of your day, or depart in the afternoon for a leisurely arrival. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry much about budgeting for gas. Since the longest stretch is 38.3 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer to break up the driving. There are no specific stops noted, so you can choose to make it a direct drive or add a personal stop along the way.
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 37.1 miles from Springfield, MA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 37.1 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lancaster, 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 74.3 miles and 1h 36m.
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 38.3 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 37.1 miles from Springfield, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 53.6 — 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
8
44.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
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 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
7
45.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395, I 290
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 395, I 290
7
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 22
Toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.78 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $12.97 | $25.93 |
| premium | $4.82 | $14.11 | $28.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.40 | $32.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.30
Massachusetts Turnpike
(38.3 mi)
$2.30
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.57 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
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.
Destination
Lancaster, MA
Late night in Lancaster on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
37 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
3 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
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 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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 74.3
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 74.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of the route utilizing major interstates. You can expect a consistent pace for much of the trip, particularly on the Massachusetts Turnpike, where you'll encounter the longest stretch without a major break, spanning 38.3 miles. The use of I-190 and I-290 further reinforces the highway character. This means you'll likely experience a relatively smooth and uninterrupted drive, with minimal transitions to local roads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.3 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.2 miles in near Boland Way.
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 74.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 44.8 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 Springfield, MA and Lancaster, MA, road signs point toward Albany, Boston, Worcester and Leominster.
Albany
5.7 mi in
|
~8m
Boston
5.9 mi in
|
~9m
Worcester
44.8 mi in
|
~55m
Leominster
53.4 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 74.3 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 (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.30 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 Lancaster, 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 44.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lancaster, 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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