Origin
North Andover, MA
Afternoon in North Andover on Thursday
Local time
1:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Andover, MA to Worcester, MA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
50.7 mi
82 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Andover, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 50.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: 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 pointsThese 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-A
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Use 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 65B
Toward 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 21
Toward 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
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.11 one way
$16.23 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
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.
Destination
Worcester, MA
Afternoon in Worcester on Thursday
Local time
1:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Berlin, MA
25 mi in
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
1 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: 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.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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