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Trip from Pepperell, MA to Worcester, MA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

57m

Distance

40.7 mi

65 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 53m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Pepperell, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Worcester, MA, MA

Worcester, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 40.7-mile drive from Pepperell to Worcester, Massachusetts, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 57 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-495 and I-290, with a segment on Boston Road, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of around $7, it's an economical option for a short excursion. The highway-focused profile suggests a direct and efficient travel experience, making it ideal for those looking to reach their destination without extensive detours.

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

20.3 miles from Pepperell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 40.7-mile trip, with 67% of the journey on major roadways like I-495 and I-290. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.7 miles on I-495, providing a solid period of consistent driving. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of Boston Road as a main thoroughfare may introduce some variations in speed and traffic patterns as you approach Worcester. Overall, the drive is designed for efficiency rather than scenic exploration.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 14.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and I 290. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near MA 111; MA 119 / South Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 2.7 miles (MA 111; MA 119 / South Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (MA 119; MA 225 / Boston Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | MA 111; MA 119 / South Road

At end of road, turn left onto MA 111; MA 119 / South Road

Navigation decision point

4
5.4 mi into trip | ~11m in | MA 119; MA 225 / Boston Road

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 119; MA 225 / Boston Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
26.5 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 290 West: Worcester

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 65B Toward I 290 West: Worcester
5
26.9 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 290

Merge onto I 290

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
39.5 mi into trip | ~55m 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 Pepperell, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Taunton along the way.

Taunton

11.4 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 495 14.7 mi 16m
I 290 12.7 mi 15m
Boston Road 3.9 mi 6m
Main Street 2.9 mi 6m
River Road 2.7 mi 5m
Great Road 2.1 mi 3m
South Road 0.4 mi <1m
Lincoln Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 495 — 14.7 mi, about 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pepperell, MA and Worcester, MA.

1

Start on this road

78 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto MA 111

2.7 mi · 5 min · River Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto MA 111; MA 119

0.4 mi · 49 sec · South Road
4

Continue on MA 111; MA 119

2.3 mi · 5 min · Main Street
5

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 119; MA 225

3.9 mi · 6 min · Boston Road
6

Continue on MA 119

2.1 mi · 3 min · Great Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro, Taunton
8

Merge onto I 495

15 mi · 16 min · I 495
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 65B Toward I 290 West: Worcester
10

Merge onto I 290

13 mi · 15 min · I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 21 Toward Ware, Framingham
12

Turn right onto MA 70

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Lincoln Street
13

Turn right onto MA 9

158 ft · 2 sec · Lincoln Square
14

Turn left onto Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
15

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of under an hour, this 40.7-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility for departure times. You can easily make this a spontaneous outing or plan it for a specific time without needing to split the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is just $7, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch without a major change is 14.7 miles on I-495, so consider this if you prefer more frequent breaks. Since you'll be on main roads like I-495 and I-290, be aware of potential traffic, especially during peak commuting hours.

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 20.3 miles from Pepperell, MA, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.7 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 40.7 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 20.3 miles or 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 49m

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 Pepperell, 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 Pepperell, MA

This is one driving day of about 40.7 miles and 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pepperell, 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 14.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.3 mi from Pepperell, MA · 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

20 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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Pepperell, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.51 one way

$13.03 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $7.10 $14.21
premium $4.82 $7.73 $15.46
diesel $5.61 $8.99 $17.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.2 0 $4.27 $1.95
Efficient EV 10.2 0 $3.56 $1.63
EV Truck/SUV 16.3 0 $5.70 $2.60

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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

Pepperell, MA

Night in Pepperell on Tuesday

Local time

11:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Worcester, MA

Night in Worcester on Tuesday

Local time

11:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

26 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

57m 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 Pepperell, MA to Worcester, MA covers 40.7 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 495, I 290, Boston Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.3 miles from Pepperell, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.51 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 40.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 2.7 miles (MA 111; MA 119 / South Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (MA 119; MA 225 / Boston Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Pepperell, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Taunton along the way.

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