This straightforward 50.7-mile drive from North Andover, MA to Worcester, MA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over an hour. The route is predominantly highway, with 93% of it on major interstates like I-495 and I-290. You'll find the estimated fuel cost to be around $8, making it an economical journey. Given its focus on efficient travel between two points in the Northeast region, it’s a practical option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. This drive is built for speed and directness, so plan accordingly if you're seeking a leisurely exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.3 miles from North Andover, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 31m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 50.7-mile trip, with a substantial 93% of the journey on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.2 miles on I-495, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition onto I-290, which will carry you the rest of the way toward Worcester, primarily utilizing Main Street for the final approach. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel and minimal scenic diversions, designed to get you to your destination promptly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 495 is the longest continuous segment at about 34.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near Middlesex Street.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 50.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Middlesex Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Waverley Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Middlesex Street
Turn left onto Middlesex Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Waverley Road
Turn left onto Waverley Road
Navigation decision point
8
11.7 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
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 89C-B-A
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
7
11.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
6
49.6 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward Ware, Framingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 21
Toward Ware, Framingham
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from North Andover, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua New Hampshire along the way.
Nashua New Hampshire
11.7 mi in|~15m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
34.2 mi
39m
I 290
12.7 mi
15m
Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Massachusetts Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Lincoln Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Waverley Road
0.2 mi
<1m
William Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Lincoln Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 34.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Andover, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on this road
61 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Middlesex Street
142 ft·13 sec·Middlesex Street
3
Turn left onto Waverley Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Waverley Road
4
Turn right onto William Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·William Street
5
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·Massachusetts Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro
7
Merge onto I 495
11 mi·12 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 89C-B-AToward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
12
Merge onto I 495
23 mi·27 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 65BToward I 290 West: Worcester
14
Merge onto I 290
13 mi·15 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 21Toward Ware, Framingham
16
Turn right onto MA 70
0.3 mi·28 sec·Lincoln Street
17
Turn right onto MA 9
158 ft·2 sec·Lincoln Square
18
Turn left onto Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
This 1-hour, 50.7-mile drive is perfectly suited for a single day, so you can leave whenever it's most convenient. With 93% of the route on highways like I-495 and I-290, you'll want to be mindful of potential traffic, especially during peak commuting hours in the Northeast. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 34 miles on I-495, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking, as indicated by the roughly $8 fuel cost. There are no specific stops recommended, so feel free to take advantage of the flexibility this shorter drive offers.
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 25.3 miles from North Andover, MA, or about 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.2 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 50.7 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.3 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
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 North Andover, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Andover, MA
This is one driving day of about 50.7 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Andover, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 34.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.3 mi from North Andover, MA
· 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 25.3 miles from North Andover, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Worcester, MA.
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 19.2
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 1.7
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 8.7
. . . 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...
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 10.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.11 one way
$16.23 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg18 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$8.85
$17.70
premium
$4.82
$9.63
$19.25
diesel
$5.61
$11.19
$22.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 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
15.2
0
$5.32
$2.43
Efficient EV
12.7
0
$4.44
$2.03
EV Truck/SUV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.24
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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 data refreshed 4 days ago
Origin
North Andover, MA
Evening
in North Andover on Tuesday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Worcester, MA
Evening
in Worcester on Tuesday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
25 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
2 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 2m 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 North Andover, MA to Worcester, MA covers 50.7 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 495, I 290, Main 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 25.3 miles from North Andover, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.11 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 50.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Middlesex Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Waverley Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from North Andover, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua New Hampshire along the way.
