Springfield, MA to Lincoln, MA is 87.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 48 minutes via the Massachusetts Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Massachusetts, making it a straightforward drive. With an 87% highway share, expect a relatively fast commute. It's a good option for a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The route is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Springfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
71.1 mi
1h 22m
Yankee Division Highway
5.1 mi
6m
Springfield Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Trapelo Road
2.6 mi
4m
Chestnut Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Harrison Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Boland Way
0.1 mi
<1m
Pynchon Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 71.1 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,890 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~232 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lincoln, 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
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 123Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode IslandUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
14
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
5.1 mi·6 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 44BToward Trapelo Road, LincolnUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto Trapelo Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Trapelo Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn straight onto Sandy Pond Road
32 ft·1 sec·Sandy Pond Road
21
Arrive at destination
Sandy Pond Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 48 minute duration, leaving Springfield, MA in the morning or early afternoon is ideal to avoid peak commuter traffic. Since this is a shorter, mostly highway drive, you probably won't need many stops, but there are ample opportunities along the Massachusetts Turnpike if you do. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, and it's always wise to top off before a significant highway stretch. The 71.1-mile longest stretch on the Turnpike means you can cover a lot of ground before needing to exit for services.
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 43.5 miles from Springfield, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.1 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 53m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, 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 87.1 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 71.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 84.2 — 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
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
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 123
Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providen...
8
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
8
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Trapelo Road, Lincoln
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 44B
Toward Trapelo Road, Lincoln
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.45 one way
$30.90 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$16.80
$33.59
premium
$5.29
$18.14
$36.29
diesel
$5.35
$18.35
$36.69
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
Massachusetts Turnpike
(71.1 mi)$4.27
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
$15
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.15
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.19
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of May 8, 2026
Origin
Springfield, MA
Night
in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
9:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
W 3 to 13 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lincoln, MA
Night
in Lincoln on Wednesday
Local time
9:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
W 5 to 12 mph24% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Sunderland, MA
44 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
1 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
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.
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...
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...
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.
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 84.1
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$15
near mile 78.1
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 87.1
. . . 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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 78.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 87% of the 87.1-mile route being high-speed roads like the Massachusetts Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 71.1 miles, so expect long, uninterrupted driving segments. Surface roads will likely begin closer to your destination, offering a change of pace after extended highway cruising. Be prepared for a higher volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you approach the more developed areas around Lincoln.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.1 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Yankee Division Highway. 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 87.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 77.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
790 ft67 ft
Total Climb
890 ft
Total Descent
704 ft
Highest Point
790 ft
~24.9 mi in
Elevation Range
724 ft
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 Lincoln, MA, road signs point toward Albany, Boston, Providence Rhode Island, Portsmouth New Hampshire and New Hampshire.
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
Maybe you’ve never heard of sleepy Concord Massachusetts population 18,000 (2020), but your life has certainly been impacted by it. This is where "the shot heard round the world" was fired in the spring of 1775, setting off a chain of events that would eventually lead to the creation of the United States.
This article also covers the neighboring town of Lincoln population 7,000 (2020).
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 87.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.1 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.27 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 10 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 Lincoln, 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 77.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Minute Man National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail 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 Lincoln, MA before heading back.
