This 77.1-mile drive from Gloucester, MA to Worcester, MA takes approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Yankee Division Highway and the Massachusetts Turnpike, with a portion on Grafton Street as you near your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this is an economical journey. Both origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you won't experience significant regional changes. This drive offers a straightforward transit between two Massachusetts cities, ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.6 miles from Gloucester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 77.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with 34% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 43.3 miles on the Yankee Division Highway, which offers a more continuous pace. As you progress, the road character shifts, incorporating sections of the Massachusetts Turnpike before transitioning to local roads like Grafton Street in the latter part of your trip. Expect a blend of faster highway travel and more varied road conditions as you move from the coast towards central Massachusetts.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Yankee Division Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hancock Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.1 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 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hancock Street
At end of road, turn right onto Hancock Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
44.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
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 39B
Toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
6
44.9 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Al...
6
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 96
Toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gloucester, MA and Worcester, MA, road signs point toward Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York and Mass Pike West: Warcester.
Mass Pike: Boston
44.5 mi in|~1h 1m
Albany New York
44.5 mi in|~1h 1m
Mass Pike West: Warcester
44.9 mi in|~1h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Yankee Division Highway
43.3 mi
59m
Massachusetts Turnpike
26.1 mi
30m
Grafton Street
3.6 mi
4m
Washington Street
0.9 mi
1m
Grafton Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Foster Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Front Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Yankee Division Highway
— 43.3 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on Dale Avenue
266 ft·15 sec·Dale Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Hancock Street
351 ft·24 sec·Hancock Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto Washington Street
299 ft·5 sec·Washington Street
5
Continue on Washington Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street
6
Enter roundabout onto MA 128
0.1 mi·8 sec·Yankee Division Highway
7
Continue on MA 128
43 mi·59 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 39BToward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New YorkUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
240 ft·5 sec
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
10
Continue on this road
393 ft·9 sec·this road
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
11
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·1 min·this road
12
Merge onto I 90
26 mi·30 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 96Toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
14
Keep slight left at fork
173 ft·10 sec
15
Turn left onto MA 122
0.4 mi·53 sec·Grafton Road
16
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi·3 min·Grafton Street
17
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
123 ft·1 sec·Grafton Street
18
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi·39 sec·Grafton Street
19
Continue on MA 122
0.3 mi·31 sec·Grafton Street
20
Enter roundabout onto Front Street
277 ft·4 sec·Front Street
21
Continue on Front Street
427 ft·11 sec·Front Street
22
Turn right onto Foster Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·Foster Street
23
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 42-minute drive, consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic out of Gloucester. Since this is a relatively short trip of 77.1 miles, you have flexibility with stops. There are no designated stops in the data, but you'll find ample opportunities for fuel and rest along the Massachusetts Turnpike. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Yankee Division Highway to the Massachusetts Turnpike, as this marks a change in the driving environment. The $12 fuel cost suggests you can complete this trip without significant financial concern for gas.
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 38.6 miles from Gloucester, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.3 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.6 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Worcester, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gloucester, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gloucester, MA
This is one driving day of about 77.1 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Gloucester, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Yankee Division Highway for about 43.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.6 mi from Gloucester, MA
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Gloucester, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Worcester, MA
The final approach into Worcester, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
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...
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.
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 29.3
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 31.9
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$15
near mile 45.2
. . . 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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 21.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.34 one way
$24.68 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$13.46
$26.91
premium
$4.82
$14.64
$29.28
diesel
$5.61
$17.02
$34.05
Estimated Tolls: $1.56
Massachusetts Turnpike
(26.1 mi)$1.56
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: 27 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.1
0
$8.10
$3.70
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.75
$3.08
EV Truck/SUV
30.8
0
$10.79
$4.93
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Gloucester, MA
Night
in Gloucester on Thursday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Worcester, MA
Night
in Worcester on Thursday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live 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
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gloucester, MA to Worcester, MA covers 77.1 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Yankee Division Highway, Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.6 miles from Gloucester, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gloucester, MA and Worcester, MA, road signs point toward Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York and Mass Pike West: Warcester.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Minute Man National Historical Park, Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Boston National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
