Springfield, MA to Westford, MA is 88.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 47 minutes via Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, moving from the western part of the state towards the northeast. Given the relatively short duration and the predominantly highway nature of the route, it's a straightforward drive. It's a solid option for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Springfield, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
54.5 mi
1h 2m
I 495
25 mi
28m
Springfield Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Boston Road
1 mi
1m
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
— 54.5 mi, about 1h 2m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,175 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,927
Quietest
2 AM
~280 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Westford, 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
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 106Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, TauntonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NHUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 495
25 mi·28 min·I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 83Toward Westford
17
At end of road, turn left onto Boston Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Boston Road
18
Arrive at destination
Boston Road
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour 47 minute drive, leaving mid-morning is a good bet to avoid the peak rush hour in both Springfield and the Greater Boston area. Since the total distance is under 90 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $15, you won't need to worry about frequent stops. The Massachusetts Turnpike is a toll road, so be prepared for that expense. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 50 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that section.
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 44.2 miles from Springfield, MA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 44.2 miles or 54m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westford, 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 88.3 miles and 1h 47m.
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 54.5 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 61.4 — 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
61 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
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 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
7
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hamp...
8
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.24 one way
$30.49 round trip
$4.39/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$16.89
$33.78
premium
$5.27
$18.30
$36.61
diesel
$6.28
$21.82
$43.64
Estimated Tolls: $3.27
Massachusetts Turnpike
(54.5 mi)$3.27
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.5
0
$9.27
$4.24
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
EV Truck/SUV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Springfield, MA
Afternoon
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
N 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Westford, MA
Afternoon
in Westford on Saturday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
N 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive 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 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 47m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 88.3
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...
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 85.3
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.
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 85.3
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 95% of the trip on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 54.5 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike before transitioning to I 495. Expect a high volume of exits and merges, especially as you navigate between these two major thoroughfares. The driving will feel consistent for the majority of the trip, with minimal time spent on slower surface roads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 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 495. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 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 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
827 ft67 ft
Total Climb
1,210 ft
Total Descent
881 ft
Highest Point
827 ft
~37.9 mi in
Elevation Range
760 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 Westford, MA, road signs point toward Albany, Boston, Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
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
•Springfield Armory — center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms from 1777 until its closing...
•Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Historic District — historic district in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
•Worthy Hotel — hotel in Massachusetts, United States of America
Westford is a city in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. With a population of roughly 25,000 (2020), it's a thriving outer suburb of Lowell, with high tech industries. Nashoba Valley ski area is here.
Chelmsford is a town in Massachusetts with a population of about 36,000 (2020). It's about 20 minutes west of Lowell.
Top landmarks
•Russian Cemetery — historic cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts, United States
•Wright Cemetery — cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts
•Fairview Cemetery — cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.27 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 7 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 Westford, 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 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail and Minute Man 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 Westford, MA before heading back.
