Origin
Salem, MA
Late night in Salem on Friday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, MA to Worcester, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
59.9 mi
96 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, MA
José Alcalá
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 59.9-mile journey from Salem, MA, to Worcester, MA, a drive typically taking about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This route is designed as a single-day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimate of around $10. The majority of your travel, about 68% of the distance, will be on highways, offering a relatively quick transit between these two Massachusetts cities. You'll primarily navigate via the Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street, and North Shore Road, experiencing a highway-focused drive that makes for an efficient connection within the Northeast region. This trip is ideal for those seeking a practical and uncomplicated way to travel between these points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 59.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive leans heavily into its highway-focused profile, with a significant 68% of the journey utilizing faster roads. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 39.8 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, providing a consistent pace for a considerable portion of the trip. While the primary roads are the Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street, and North Shore Road, the overall character is one of efficient travel rather than scenic meandering. Expect a driving experience characterized by steady progress, making it easy to maintain momentum and cover ground quickly. The road primarily offers a functional connection between your origin and destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 39.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Grafton Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Margin Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 (Margin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (MA 107 / Highland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
|
Margin Street
Turn right onto Margin Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
MA 107 / Highland Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto MA 107 / Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan A...
6
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 96
Toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
5
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
MA 122 / Grafton Street
Enter roundabout onto MA 122 / Grafton Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Salem, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Logan Airport along the way.
Logan Airport
13.2 mi in
|
~22m
|
via I 90
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 39.8 mi | 49m |
| Grafton Street | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North Shore Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Western Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Highland Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Ted Williams Tunnel | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| McClellan Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Lee Burbank Highway | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 39.8 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on Gedney Street
150 ft
·
9 sec
·
Gedney Street
2
Turn right onto Margin Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Margin Street
3
Continue on Jefferson Avenue
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Jefferson Avenue
4
Turn right onto Jackson Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Jackson Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto MA 107
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Highland Avenue
6
Continue on MA 107
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Avenue
7
Enter roundabout onto Market Square
377 ft
·
6 sec
·
Market Square
8
Continue on Market Square
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Market Square
9
Turn right onto Commercial Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Commercial Street
10
Turn right onto MA 1A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lynnway
11
Continue on MA 1A
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Shore Road
12
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
108 ft
·
1 sec
·
Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
13
Continue on MA 1A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
14
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
377 ft
·
8 sec
·
MA 1A
15
Continue on MA 1A
215 ft
·
7 sec
·
MA 1A
16
Merge onto MA 1A
53 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lee Burbank Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 1A
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Burbank Highway
18
Continue on MA 1A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McClellan Highway
19
Continue on MA 1A
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Boston Expressway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan Airport
Use the slight left lane.
21
Continue on I 90
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ted Williams Tunnel
22
Continue on I 90
39 mi
·
48 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 96
Toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
24
Keep slight left at fork
173 ft
·
10 sec
25
Turn left onto MA 122
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Grafton Road
26
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grafton Street
27
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
123 ft
·
1 sec
·
Grafton Street
28
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Grafton Street
29
Continue on MA 122
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Grafton Street
30
Enter roundabout onto Front Street
277 ft
·
4 sec
·
Front Street
31
Continue on Front Street
427 ft
·
11 sec
·
Front Street
32
Turn right onto Foster Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Foster Street
33
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.9 mi from Salem, MA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.9 miles from Salem, 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
$9.59 one way
$19.17 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.45 | $20.91 |
| premium | $4.82 | $11.37 | $22.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.23 | $26.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.39
Massachusetts Turnpike
(39.8 mi)
$2.39
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18 | 0 | $6.29 | $2.88 |
| Efficient EV | 15 | 0 | $5.24 | $2.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24 | 0 | $8.39 | $3.83 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Late night in Worcester on Friday
Local time
5:02 AM
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
1h 23m 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 Salem, MA to Worcester, MA covers 59.9 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street, North Shore 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 29.9 miles from Salem, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.59 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 59.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 (Margin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (MA 107 / Highland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Salem, MA to Worcester, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Logan Airport along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Salem Maritime National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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