Origin
Worcester, MA
Afternoon in Worcester on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 26m
Distance
113.5 mi
183 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Dennis, MA
David Kanigan
Traveling from Worcester to East Dennis covers 113.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively quick trek across Massachusetts, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-495, MA-25, and the Mid Cape Highway, making this a very efficient transit between the city and the shore. With fuel costs estimated at approximately $18, it is a budget-friendly way to swap the inland landscape for a coastal destination. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery, the route is designed for speed and convenience rather than leisurely exploration.
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
56.8 miles from Worcester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
This journey is a highway-focused drive, with 68% of your time spent on major interstates and expressways. You should prepare for a consistent, steady pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57 miles along I-495. As you transition from the Worcester area toward the Mid Cape Highway, the road feels like a standard interstate grind, prioritizing direct movement over technical curves or local scenery. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed transit, you will find the driving experience to be functional and predictable. Expect to maintain highway speeds for the majority of the trip, ensuring a reliable arrival time as you move toward the coast.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Mid Cape Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 113.5 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 South: Taunton, Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Mid-Cape Connector
Lane positioning matters here
Between Worcester, MA and East Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Taunton and Cape Cod.
Taunton
Cape Cod
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 57 mi | 1h 5m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 22.3 mi | 30m |
| MA 25 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| Grafton Street | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| East West Dennis Road | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| Sandwich Road Connector | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| MA 28 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Worcester, MA and East Dennis, MA.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto Front Street
Enter roundabout onto Grafton Street
Continue on Grafton Street
Continue on MA 122
Enter roundabout onto MA 122
Continue on MA 122
Continue on MA 122
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 495
Continue on MA 25
Continue on MA 28
Enter roundabout onto Sandwich Road Connector
Continue on Sandwich Road Connector
Turn right onto Mid-Cape Connector
Take the exit
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn straight onto MA 134
Turn left onto MA 6A
Turn left
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 2-hour and 26-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak weekday traffic on the major interchanges. Since you have no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the flexibility to power through the entire 113.5 miles in one go or pull off the highway if you need a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Mid Cape Highway, as gas prices can vary once you enter the Cape region. Given the highway-heavy nature of this trip, cruise control will be your best friend for maintaining a comfortable, steady speed during the long stretches on I-495. Planning your arrival for the early morning or mid-afternoon will help you maintain a stress-free pace throughout the duration of your trip.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.8 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dennis, MA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA
This is one driving day of about 113.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.8 mi from Worcester, MA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Worcester, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into East Dennis, 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 East Dennis, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.07 one way
$36.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $19.65 | $39.30 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.44 | $42.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.22 | $50.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.57
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.92 | $5.45 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.89 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Worcester on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in East Dennis on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
57 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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