Origin
Worcester, MA
Evening in Worcester on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
20m
Distance
14.4 mi
23 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Worcester, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Sterling, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA covers 14.4 miles and takes about 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lincoln Square, Lincoln Street, I 290 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.30 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
7.2 miles from Worcester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 20m drive with frequent turns across 14.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Square is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Square | — | — |
| Lincoln Street | — | — |
| I 290 East | — | — |
| I 190 North | — | — |
| MA 140 | — | — |
| Redemption Rock Trail | — | — |
| Dana Hill Road | — | — |
| Muddy Pond Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Square
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Worcester, MA and Sterling, MA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Lincoln Square
154 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lincoln Square
3
Turn left onto Lincoln Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Lincoln Street
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 East: Marlboro
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 290 East: Marlboro
5
Merge slight left
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North, MA 70: Sterling, Leominster, Burncoat Street, Lincoln Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 190 North, MA 70: Sterling, Leominster, Burncoat Street, Lincoln Street
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
8
Continue straight
8.4 mi
·
9 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward MA 140: West Boylston, Princeton
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MA 140: West Boylston, Princeton
10
Turn left onto Redemption Rock Trail
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Redemption Rock Trail
11
Turn right onto Dana Hill Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Dana Hill Road
12
Continue on Muddy Pond Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Muddy Pond Road
13
Continue on Greenland Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Greenland Road
14
Turn straight onto Worcester Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Worcester Road
15
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn left onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Meetinghouse Hill Road
17
Arrive at your destination
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 7.2 miles from Worcester, MA, or about 10m into the drive.
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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.2 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Worcester, MA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Worcester, MA
This is one driving day of about 14.4 miles and 20m.
At 14.4 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.2 mi from Worcester, MA · 10m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.2 miles from Worcester, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sterling, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Sterling, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.30 one way
$4.61 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.51 | $5.03 |
| premium | $4.82 | $2.73 | $5.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Sterling, MA
Evening in Sterling on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
22 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
20m 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 Sterling, MA covers 14.4 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Square, Lincoln Street, I 290 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.2 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 $2.30 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.
The drive from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Worcester, MA to Sterling, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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