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Trip from Worcester, MA to Gloucester, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

77.6 mi

125 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

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

Downtown Worcester, MA, MA

Worcester, MA

Wikimedia Commons

city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

Gloucester, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Worcester, MA to Gloucester, MA covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Yankee Division Highway, Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.5 miles on Yankee Division Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.42 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.8 miles from Worcester, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Worcester, MA to Gloucester, MA covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Yankee Division Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
4.5 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

8
31.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island

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 123 Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providen...
6
32.4 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hamp...
8
32.9 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
8
57.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway toward MA 128 North: Gloucester

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 64 Toward MA 128 North: Gloucester

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Worcester, MA and Gloucester, MA, road signs point toward Providence Rhode Island, Portsmouth New Hampshire and New Hampshire.

Providence Rhode Island

31.6 mi in | ~39m

Portsmouth New Hampshire

32.4 mi in | ~40m

New Hampshire

32.9 mi in | ~41m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Yankee Division Highway 43.5 mi 59m
Massachusetts Turnpike 26.1 mi 30m
Grafton Street 3.6 mi 4m
Washington Street 0.7 mi 1m
Front Street 0.4 mi <1m
Grafton Road 0.4 mi <1m
Prospect Street 0.3 mi <1m
Dale Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Yankee Division Highway — 43.5 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Street

293 ft · 12 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto Front Street

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Front Street
3

Enter roundabout onto Grafton Street

24 ft · 0 sec · Grafton Street
4

Continue on Grafton Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Grafton Street
5

Continue on MA 122

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Grafton Street
6

Enter roundabout onto MA 122

39 ft · 0 sec · Grafton Street
7

Continue on MA 122

2.9 mi · 3 min · Grafton Street
8

Continue on MA 122

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Grafton Road
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
11

Merge onto I 90

26 mi · 30 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 123 Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · this road
14

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 95; MA 128

24 mi · 33 min · Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 128

19 mi · 26 min · Yankee Division Highway
Exit 64 Toward MA 128 North: Gloucester Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Enter roundabout onto Washington Street

135 ft · 2 sec · Washington Street
20

Continue on Washington Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
21

Turn left onto Prospect Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Prospect Street
22

Turn right onto Dale Avenue

496 ft · 21 sec · Dale Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Dale Avenue

Trip Plan

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 38.8 miles from Worcester, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 17 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.8 miles or 50m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gloucester, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Worcester, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Worcester, MA

This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Worcester, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Yankee Division Highway for about 43.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.8 mi from Worcester, MA · 50m into the drive

Downtown Waltham, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waltham, MA

39 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

Grafton, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waltham, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Worcester, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gloucester, MA

The final approach into Gloucester, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 40.2
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 61.6
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

Boston National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 50.9
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...

13 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 45.5
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour $15 near mile 32.1
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 56.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.42 one way

$24.84 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.54 $27.09
premium $4.82 $14.73 $29.47
diesel $5.61 $17.13 $34.27

Estimated Tolls: $1.57

Massachusetts Turnpike (26.1 mi) $1.57

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

$12

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.3 0 $8.15 $3.72
Efficient EV 19.4 0 $6.79 $3.10
EV Truck/SUV 31 0 $10.86 $4.97

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Worcester, MA

Night in Worcester on Thursday

Local time

9:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gloucester, MA

Night in Gloucester on Thursday

Local time

9:21 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°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

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 44m 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 Worcester, MA to Gloucester, MA covers 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Yankee Division Highway, Massachusetts Turnpike, Grafton Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.8 miles from Worcester, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.42 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 77.6 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Worcester, MA and Gloucester, MA, road signs point toward Providence Rhode Island, Portsmouth New Hampshire and New Hampshire.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Gloucester, MA to Worcester, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

77.1 mi 1h 42m

Explore more options from Worcester, MA or browse trips ending in Gloucester, MA.

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