Origin
Ludlow, MA
Late night in Ludlow on Friday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ludlow, MA to Worcester, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
43.7 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ludlow, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 43.7-mile drive from Ludlow, MA to Worcester, MA takes approximately 56 minutes and is a straightforward, highway-focused trip. Given its short duration and the minimal fuel cost estimated at $7, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, including the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290, with a high highway share of 91%. This route is perfect for a quick transition between two points within Massachusetts, offering efficiency rather than extensive scenic detours. Its direct nature makes it a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and ease of travel.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 43.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 56-minute journey, with 91% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 34.7 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, offering a continuous, fast-paced segment. As you transition to I-290, the road maintains its highway character, designed for efficient travel. This profile means you'll encounter consistent speeds and minimal distractions, making it a predictable drive for most of its length. The focus is clearly on covering distance smoothly rather than experiencing varied road types.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 34.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Howard Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 43.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Howard Street
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MA 21 / Center Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
36.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
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 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
7
37.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395, I 290
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 395, I 290
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 34.7 mi | 39m |
| I 290 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Green Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Sewall Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Oak Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Howard Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 34.7 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on this road
130 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
181 ft
·
14 sec
3
Turn right
73 ft
·
11 sec
4
Turn left onto Walnut Street
285 ft
·
14 sec
·
Walnut Street
5
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Oak Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Howard Street
7
Turn right onto Sewall Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sewall Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Center Street
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
35 mi
·
39 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 395, I 290
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 290
16
Continue on I 290
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 17
Toward MA 122A: Kelly Square
18
Turn left onto MA 122A
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
Vernon Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto Green Street
205 ft
·
3 sec
·
Green Street
20
Continue on Green Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Green Street
21
Continue on Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Franklin Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.9 mi from Ludlow, MA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.9 miles from Ludlow, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Worcester, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Worcester, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.99 one way
$13.99 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $7.63 | $15.25 |
| premium | $4.82 | $8.30 | $16.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.65 | $19.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.08
Massachusetts Turnpike
(34.7 mi)
$2.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.12 | $2.80 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Worcester, MA
Late night in Worcester on Friday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
56m 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 Ludlow, MA to Worcester, MA covers 43.7 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, I 290, Green Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.9 miles from Ludlow, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.99 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 is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 43.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ludlow, MA to Worcester, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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