Origin
Waltham, MA
Night in Waltham on Thursday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waltham, MA to Webster, MA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
48 mi
77 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waltham, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Webster, MA
Visual Tag Mx
Trip Overview
This 48-mile drive from Waltham, MA to Webster, MA takes approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend about 85% of your time on highways, primarily the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-395. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $8. Given the short duration and straightforward route, no overnight stops are necessary. This drive stays within the Northeast region and within Massachusetts, offering a convenient way to travel between these two points. It's a practical option for a quick transit or a short excursion.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 48 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 (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 85% of the drive taking place on major roadways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 32.2 miles along the Massachusetts Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions to I-395, and finally to South Street as you approach Webster. While predominantly highway, the shift in road types as you near your destination provides a subtle change in the driving environment, moving from high-speed transit to more local access.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 32.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
610 ft
63 ft
Total Climb
794 ft
Total Descent
402 ft
Highest Point
610 ft
~41.2 mi in
Elevation Range
547 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 395. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
7
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Al...
8
36.4 mi into trip
|
~45m 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
37.1 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
37.3 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waltham, MA and Webster, 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
36.4 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 32.2 mi | 37m |
| I 395 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| South Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| River Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Gore Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Weston Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 32.2 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham, MA and Webster, MA.
1
Start on US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
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
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
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
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 90
Toward I 395, MA 12, I 290: Auburn, Worcester
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 395, MA 12 North, I 290
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 395, I 290
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 395
14
Merge onto I 395
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
I 395
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 3
Toward MA 16: Webster Center, Douglas
16
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft
·
8 sec
17
Turn straight onto MA 16
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Gore Road
18
Continue on MA 12
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
19
Turn left onto Lake Street
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
Lake Street
20
Arrive at destination
Lake Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24 mi from Waltham, MA · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 24 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Webster, MA
The final approach into Webster, 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
$7.68 one way
$15.36 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $8.38 | $16.75 |
| premium | $4.82 | $9.11 | $18.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.60 | $21.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.93
Massachusetts Turnpike
(32.2 mi)
$1.93
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.20 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.72 | $3.07 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Webster, MA
Night in Webster on Thursday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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 Waltham, MA to Webster, MA covers 48 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 Massachusetts Turnpike, I 395, South 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 24 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 $7.68 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 48 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waltham, MA and Webster, MA, road signs point toward Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York, Mass Pike West: Warcester and Worcester.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 63 ft to 610 ft elevation with about 794 ft of total climbing.
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