Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
50m
Distance
33.9 mi
55 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monson, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
This 33.9-mile drive from Monson, MA to Worcester, MA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 50 minutes. It's designed as a single-day excursion, so no overnight stays are necessary. The primary roads you'll navigate include the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290, offering a blend of highway and local road driving. With a projected fuel cost of around $5, this route is budget-friendly. The drive stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in Massachusetts. Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from local roads to faster highways.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 33.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route presents a mixed driving profile, with 48% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches that are more akin to local roads, interspersed with segments on the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 11.2 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, allowing for a period of steady cruising. As you progress, the road character will shift from potentially more winding local paths to the more direct and faster-paced feel of the interstate.
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 26.8 miles in.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 33.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 395, I 290
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 290
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn left onto MA 122A / Vernon Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| I 290 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Sturbridge Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| Brimfield Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Palmer Road | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Wilbur Cross Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Monson Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Monson, MA and Worcester, MA.
Start on Harrison Avenue
Turn left onto MA 32
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
Continue on Bethany Road
Continue on Brimfield Road
Continue on Monson Road
Continue on Main Palmer Road
Turn slight right onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 84
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 290
Take the exit
Turn left onto MA 122A
Enter roundabout onto Green Street
Continue on Green Street
Continue on Franklin Street
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17 mi from Monson, MA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 33.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17 miles from Monson, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.43 one way
$10.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.92 | $11.83 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.44 | $12.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.48 | $14.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.67
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.56 | $1.63 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Monson on Saturday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Worcester on Saturday
Local time
9:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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