This 66.3-mile drive from Worcester, MA to Rowley, MA is a straightforward journey that can be completed in about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-495 and I-290, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region. The highway-focused nature of the drive means you'll cover ground efficiently, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.2 miles from Worcester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
33.8 mi
39m
I 290
11.5 mi
13m
Andover Street
2.9 mi
5m
Great Pond Road
2.3 mi
4m
Central Street
2.1 mi
3m
North Street
1.6 mi
3m
Lincoln Street
1.5 mi
2m
Willow Road
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 33.8 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Worcester, MA and Rowley, MA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto MA 9
154 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Square
3
Turn left onto MA 70
1.1 mi·2 min·Lincoln Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 70
0.4 mi·42 sec·Lincoln Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 290: Marlboro
6
Merge onto I 290
11 mi·13 min·I 290
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·2 min
Exit 32BToward I 495 North: Lowell
8
Merge onto I 495
34 mi·39 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 99AToward MA 28 South: AndoverUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto MA 28
0.4 mi·53 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto MA 133
1.1 mi·1 min·Haverhill Street
12
Continue on MA 133
0.3 mi·33 sec·Peters Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on Andover Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Andover Street
14
Enter roundabout onto Great Pond Road
85 ft·1 sec·Great Pond Road
15
Continue on Great Pond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Great Pond Road
16
Turn straight
129 ft·8 sec
17
Turn left onto Great Pond Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Great Pond Road
18
Keep slight right at fork onto Essex Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Essex Street
19
Keep slight right at fork onto Essex Street
301 ft·9 sec·Essex Street
20
Turn straight onto MA 133
1.0 mi·2 min·Washington Street
21
Continue on MA 133
1.3 mi·2 min·Willow Road
22
Continue on MA 133
2.1 mi·4 min·Andover Street
23
Continue on MA 133
354 ft·18 sec·Library Street
24
Turn left onto MA 97; MA 133
0.1 mi·22 sec·Central Street
25
Continue on North Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North Street
26
Turn slight right onto Jewett Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Jewett Street
27
Continue on Jackman Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Jackman Street
28
Continue on Elm Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Elm Street
29
Turn right onto Coleman Road
0.5 mi·53 sec·Coleman Road
30
Continue on Glen Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Glen Street
31
Continue on Central Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Central Street
32
Turn slight left onto Church Street
283 ft·10 sec·Church Street
33
Turn left
33 ft·2 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 1 hour and 34-minute duration, this 66.3-mile trip offers flexibility for when you depart. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic, especially as you approach the I-495 corridor. While there are no specific designated stops mentioned, you'll find ample opportunities for fuel and rest along the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without exits on I-495 is a considerable 33.8 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly before embarking on that segment.
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 33.2 miles from Worcester, MA, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 15 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.2 miles or 41m 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 Rowley, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Worcester, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Worcester, MA
This is one driving day of about 66.3 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Worcester, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 33.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 49.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|MA 70 / Lincoln Street
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 70 / Lincoln Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
13.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 32B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
5
14.5 mi into trip|~20m in|I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.4 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward MA 28 South: Andover
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99A
Toward MA 28 South: Andover
4
49.1 mi into trip|~1h in|MA 133 / Haverhill Street
Turn left onto MA 133 / Haverhill Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.61 one way
$21.22 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.57
$23.14
premium
$4.82
$12.59
$25.18
diesel
$5.61
$14.64
$29.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.9
0
$6.96
$3.18
Efficient EV
16.6
0
$5.80
$2.65
EV Truck/SUV
26.5
0
$9.28
$4.24
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Worcester, MA
Night
in Worcester on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rowley, MA
Night
in Rowley on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Andover, MA
33 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
4 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 34m 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.
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...
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...
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 66.3
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.
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 43.4
. . . 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 50.3
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$15
near mile 41.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 66.3-mile trip, with 68% of the journey on major highways like I-495 and I-290, supplemented by Andover Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.8 miles along I-495, offering a consistent pace. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic winding roads, so you can anticipate a steady drive with minimal distractions as you transition from the Worcester area towards the coast.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and I 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near MA 70 / Lincoln Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 1.8 miles (MA 70 / Lincoln Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.5 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Explore fine arts, history, and take in a show in Worcester, a medium sized city in Central Massachusetts about an hour's drive west of Boston. Worcester's seven hills and their valleys contain top notch museums, nine colleges and universities, beautiful parks, and food from all over the globe.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 66.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Rowley, 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 1.8 miles (MA 70 / Lincoln Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.5 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime 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 Rowley, MA before heading back.
