Origin
Palmer, MA
Night in Palmer on Thursday
Local time
10:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer, MA to Worcester, MA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
45m
Distance
35.4 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 35.4-mile drive from Palmer to Worcester, Massachusetts, is a quick 45-minute trip primarily on highways, making it an ideal day trip. With a 90% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $6, so budgeting for gas is straightforward. This route is straightforward and efficient, perfect for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. Given its short distance and highway focus, there's no need to split this journey or find overnight accommodations along the way.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 35.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 35.4-mile journey. With 90% of the route on high-speed roads like the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290, this drive is designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 26.8 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While primarily a highway grind, you'll transition onto I-290 and then Thorndike Street as you approach Worcester, offering a slight change in scenery as you enter the urban environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 26.8 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 early in the drive near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 12 decision points packed into just 35.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
28.2 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
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
Toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
7
28.8 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
6
34.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
MA 122A / Vernon Street
Turn left onto MA 122A / Vernon Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| I 290 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Thorndike Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Green Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Vernon Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pleasant Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 26.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
189 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pleasant Street
2
Merge onto US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft
·
7 sec
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
6
Merge onto I 90
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 395, I 290
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 290
11
Continue on I 290
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 17
Toward MA 122A: Kelly Square
13
Turn left onto MA 122A
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
Vernon Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto Green Street
205 ft
·
3 sec
·
Green Street
15
Continue on Green Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Green Street
16
Continue on Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Franklin Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Palmer, MA · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Palmer, 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
$5.67 one way
$11.33 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.72 | $13.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.82 | $15.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.61
Massachusetts Turnpike
(26.8 mi)
$1.61
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$2
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 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 | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.10 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Worcester, MA
Night in Worcester on Thursday
Local time
10:35 PM
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
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
45m 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 Palmer, MA to Worcester, MA covers 35.4 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, I 290, Thorndike 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 17.7 miles from Palmer, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.67 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 12 decision points packed into just 35.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Palmer, MA to Worcester, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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