Origin
Waltham, MA
Evening in Waltham on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waltham, MA to Holden, MA
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
43.1 mi
69 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
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waltham, MA
Pixabay
Holden, MA
Michał Robak
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Waltham to Holden, expect a straightforward trip covering 43.1 miles. You should budget about 1 hour and 1 minute for the drive, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Since the route spans only a short distance within the Northeast, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. With a fuel cost estimate of roughly $7, it is an economical choice for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. The journey relies on a mix of major thoroughfares and local streets, providing a transition from the busier suburban feel of Waltham to the quieter setting of Holden.
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
21.5 miles from Waltham, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 61% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into the flow of the Massachusetts Turnpike for your longest stretch, which covers 26.1 miles of the total distance. As you transition away from the turnpike, the character of the road shifts significantly as you navigate onto Salisbury Street and Grafton Street. Expect a blend of fast-paced highway driving followed by a more localized experience as you approach your destination. The transition from interstate speeds to the rhythm of local streets defines the personality of this 1-hour trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 26.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Salisbury Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 43.1 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: at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
9
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Al...
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~38m 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
6
42.2 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
MA 122A / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto MA 122A / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Waltham, MA and Holden, MA, road signs point toward Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York, Mass Pike West: Warcester and Worcester.
Mass Pike: Boston
3.2 mi in
|
~6m
Albany New York
3.2 mi in
|
~6m
Mass Pike West: Warcester
3.4 mi in
|
~6m
Worcester
30.3 mi in
|
~38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 26.1 mi | 30m |
| Salisbury Street | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| Grafton Street | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| South Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| River Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Major Taylor Boulevard | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Grafton Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 26.1 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham, MA and Holden, MA.
1
Start on US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the none / straight lanes.
2
Turn left onto US 20
178 ft
·
3 sec
·
Weston Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto South Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Street
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on River Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
River Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
6
Keep slight right at fork
240 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on this road
393 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
8
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
9
Merge onto I 90
26 mi
·
30 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 96
Toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester
11
Keep slight left at fork
173 ft
·
10 sec
12
Turn left onto MA 122
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Grafton Road
13
Continue on MA 122
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grafton Street
14
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
123 ft
·
1 sec
·
Grafton Street
15
Continue on MA 122
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Grafton Street
16
Continue on MA 122
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Grafton Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Front Street
277 ft
·
4 sec
·
Front Street
18
Continue on Front Street
427 ft
·
11 sec
·
Front Street
19
Turn right onto Foster Street
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Foster Street
20
Turn right onto Major Taylor Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Major Taylor Boulevard
21
Continue on MA 70
521 ft
·
8 sec
·
Lincoln Street
22
Take the exit
429 ft
·
17 sec
23
Continue on Concord Street
384 ft
·
8 sec
·
Concord Street
24
Continue on Salisbury Street
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Salisbury Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto MA 122A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Maple Street
301 ft
·
17 sec
·
Maple Street
27
Turn left
111 ft
·
8 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule without needing to plan for formal rest stops. Given the total duration of 1 hour and 1 minute, you can easily complete the drive in one go without refueling, keeping your $7 estimated cost straightforward. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you exit the Massachusetts Turnpike, as the transition to local roads like Salisbury Street and Grafton Street will require more focus than the highway portion. If you want to avoid peak traffic congestion, try to time your departure outside of standard morning or evening commuting windows. Enjoy the simplicity of this short route and the convenience of having no mandatory stops along the way.
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 21.5 miles from Waltham, MA, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 43.1 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.5 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holden, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waltham, 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 Waltham, MA
This is one driving day of about 43.1 miles and 1h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waltham, 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 26.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.5 mi from Waltham, MA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.5 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Holden, MA
The final approach into Holden, 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 Holden, 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
$6.86 one way
$13.72 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $7.46 | $14.92 |
| premium | $4.80 | $8.14 | $16.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.58 | $19.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.56
Massachusetts Turnpike
(26.1 mi)
$1.56
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.53 | $2.07 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.77 | $1.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.03 | $2.76 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Holden, MA
Evening in Holden on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
22 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
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 1m 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 Waltham, MA to Holden, MA covers 43.1 miles and takes about 1h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Salisbury Street, Grafton 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 21.5 miles from Waltham, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.86 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 18 significant decision points across 43.1 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: at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Waltham, MA and Holden, MA, road signs point toward Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York, Mass Pike West: Warcester and Worcester.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Holden, MA
More trips to Holden, MA
Explore more options from Waltham, MA or browse trips ending in Holden, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
Explore maps for Waltham, MA or Holden, MA on MapSof.net.