Worcester to Scituate is 71.6 miles and takes about 1h 38m via Massachusetts Turnpike and MA 3, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Massachusetts, moving from the Northeast region of the state towards the coast. You'll experience a mix of highway travel and surface roads, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a practical route for getting from an inland city to a coastal town without a major time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.8 miles from Worcester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
26.1 mi
30m
Yankee Division Highway
12.1 mi
16m
MA 3
10.4 mi
13m
US 1
6.7 mi
9m
Main Street
5 mi
8m
Grafton Street
3.6 mi
4m
Stockbridge Road
1.3 mi
2m
Cornet Stetson Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 26.1 mi, about 30m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 173 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,570 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,687
Quietest
2 AM
~301 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
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 Worcester, MA and Scituate, MA.
1
Start on Main Street
293 ft·12 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Front Street
0.4 mi·50 sec·Front Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Grafton Street
24 ft·0 sec·Grafton Street
4
Continue on Grafton Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Grafton Street
5
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi·41 sec·Grafton Street
6
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
39 ft·0 sec·Grafton Street
7
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi·3 min·Grafton Street
8
Continue on MA 122
0.4 mi·59 sec·Grafton Road
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 90
26 mi·30 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 right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode IslandUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
12 mi·16 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 1
6.7 mi·9 min·US 1
Exit 26Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, BraintreeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto MA 3
10 mi·13 min·MA 3
Toward Cape CodUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Exit 32Toward MA 53, MA 123: Hanover, NorwellUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto MA 53
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto MA 123
0.2 mi·21 sec·Webster Street
24
Continue on MA 123
4.9 mi·8 min·Main Street
25
Continue on MA 123
0.7 mi·1 min·Cornet Stetson Road
26
Enter roundabout onto Country Way
292 ft·5 sec·Country Way
27
Continue on Country Way
0.2 mi·42 sec·Country Way
28
Turn right onto Stockbridge Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Stockbridge Road
29
Continue on Stockbridge Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Stockbridge Road
30
Turn right onto First Parish Road
0.4 mi·58 sec·First Parish Road
31
Keep slight left at fork onto First Parish Road
233 ft·6 sec·First Parish Road
32
Turn straight onto Front Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Front Street
33
Turn left onto Allen Place
264 ft·11 sec·Allen Place
34
Arrive at destination
Allen Place
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Boston area. Plan for just one or two brief stops for gas or a quick break, as the longest stretch without a major road change is 26.1 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $11, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Worcester. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Massachusetts Turnpike to MA 3, as this is a key point where the driving environment changes.
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 35.8 miles from Worcester, MA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.8 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scituate, 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 71.6 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Worcester, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 26.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.6 and 62.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
31.6 mi into trip|~39m 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...
9
32.4 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode Isl...
8
44.8 mi into trip|~57m in|US 1
Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
8
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintree
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintre...
8
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward MA 53, MA 123: Hanover, Norwell
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 32
Toward MA 53, MA 123: Hanover, Norwell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.70 one way
$25.40 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$13.81
$27.61
premium
$5.29
$14.91
$29.83
diesel
$5.35
$15.08
$30.16
Estimated Tolls: $1.57
Massachusetts Turnpike
(26.1 mi)$1.57
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.86
EV Truck/SUV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Worcester, MA
Afternoon
in Worcester on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 15 to 18 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 30 at 2:52AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 30 at 2:52AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Destination
Scituate, MA
Afternoon
in Scituate on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
N 9 to 25 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 30 at 2:52AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 30 at 2:52AM EDT until May 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
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
6 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 38m 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.
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...
. . . 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 51.9
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 32.1
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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 32.1
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 51.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 71.6-mile trip features 60% highway driving. You'll spend the first part of your drive on the Massachusetts Turnpike for a solid 26.1-mile stretch. After that, expect the roads to transition to more surface travel. The change from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you get closer to your destination.
60% 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: 26.1 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 21 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 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
483 ft33 ft
Total Climb
259 ft
Total Descent
709 ft
Highest Point
483 ft
Elevation Range
450 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Worcester, MA and Scituate, MA, road signs point toward Providence Rhode Island, Plymouth, Braintree, Cape Cod and Norwell.
Providence Rhode Island
31.6 mi in|~39m
Plymouth
51.7 mi in|~1h 7m
Braintree
51.7 mi in|~1h 7m
Cape Cod
52.1 mi in|~1h 8m|via MA 3
Norwell
62.5 mi in|~1h 21m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Clark University — American private university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts
•Cathedral of Saint Paul — church in Massachusetts, United States
•Worcester Academy — private high school in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Scituate (pronounced sit-you-et) is a small seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts south of Cohasset and north of Marshfield in the South Shore region. Scituate Harbor is the main town center and is where most of the shops and restaurants are located. Scituate includes the villages of North Scituate and Humarock.
Top landmarks
•Old Scituate Light — lighthouse in Massachusetts, United States
•Lawson Tower — historic water tower in Scituate, Massachusetts, US
•Woodworth House — single-family detached home in Scituate, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 71.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.1 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.57 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 Scituate, 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 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area 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 Scituate, MA before heading back.
