Trip from Worcester, MA to Sudbury, MA

Drive Time

38m

Distance

26.4 mi

42 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min

4 AM

0h 35m ★

6 AM

0h 38m

8 AM

0h 44m

10 AM

0h 40m

12 PM

0h 40m

3 PM

0h 41m

5 PM

0h 44m

8 PM

0h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Sudbury, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick transition between Worcester and Sudbury, this 26.4-mile trek is a straightforward journey that takes roughly 38 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Lincoln Square, Lincoln Street, and I-290, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of Massachusetts, the terrain remains consistent throughout. Budgeting about $4 for fuel makes this an economical commute, whether you are heading out for business or a brief visit. Given the short duration, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the round trip in just a few hours.

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

13.2 miles from Worcester, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating through local roads, which demands your full attention behind the wheel. Because the path is composed entirely of smaller roads, you will not encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate driving. This profile creates a more engaging, albeit stop-and-go, experience compared to a high-speed transit route. Be prepared to navigate frequent turns as you transition from the city streets of Worcester toward your destination in Sudbury.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.1 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 2.4 miles in near I 290.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 26.4 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 2.4 miles (I 290): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 290

Merge onto I 290

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

13.5 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 495 South: Cape Cod

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 32A Toward I 495 South: Cape Cod

14.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 495

Merge onto I 495

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

15.5 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward US 20 East: Marlboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 63A Toward US 20 East: Marlboro

15.8 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 20 / Lakeside Avenue

Merge onto US 20 / Lakeside Avenue

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 290	11.1 mi	12m
Boston Post Road East	6 mi	9m
Lincoln Street	1.5 mi	2m
I 495	1.5 mi	1m
Union Avenue	1 mi	1m
Lakeside Avenue	0.9 mi	1m
East Main Street	0.8 mi	1m
Concord Road	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 290 — 11.1 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn right onto MA 9

154 ft · 4 sec · Lincoln Square

Turn left onto MA 70

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 70

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Lincoln Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 290: Marlboro

Merge onto I 290

11 mi · 12 min · I 290

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 32A Toward I 495 South: Cape Cod Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 495

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 495

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 44 sec

Exit 63A Toward US 20 East: Marlboro Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 20

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lakeside Avenue

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 20

0.6 mi · 42 sec · West Main Street

Take the exit onto US 20

0.6 mi · 59 sec · US 20

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 20

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Main Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 20

0.5 mi · 41 sec · East Main Street

Continue on US 20

6.0 mi · 9 min · Boston Post Road East

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Union Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Concord Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Concord Road

Turn sharp left onto MA 27

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Hudson Road

Arrive at destination

MA 27

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short 38-minute drive, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You won't need to plan for mid-trip rest stops, allowing you to head out whenever it best suits your personal timeline. Keep in mind that since the route relies on local roads, traffic patterns on Lincoln Street and Lincoln Square can significantly impact your travel time, so check your GPS before you depart. With fuel costs estimated at just $4, you can easily top off your tank in Worcester before leaving to avoid any mid-trip stops. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert for frequent turns, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local signage throughout the entire 26.4-mile 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.

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 13.2 miles from Worcester, MA, or about 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 26.4 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.2 miles or 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sudbury, 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.

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 26.4 miles and 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Worcester, 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 I 290 for about 11.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.2 mi from Worcester, MA · 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Acton, MA

13 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

Acton, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Acton, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.2 miles from Worcester, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Sudbury, MA

The final approach into Sudbury, 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 Sudbury, 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

$4.20 one way

$8.40 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$4.57	$9.14
premium	$4.80	$4.99	$9.98
diesel	$5.64	$5.87	$11.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	7.9	$2.77	$1.27
Efficient EV	6.6	$2.31	$1.06
EV Truck/SUV	10.6	$3.70	$1.69

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Worcester, MA

Night in Worcester on Sunday

Local time

9:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sudbury, MA

Night in Sudbury on Sunday

Local time

9:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

38m 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 Sudbury, MA covers 26.4 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 290, Boston Post Road East, Lincoln Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 13.2 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 $4.20 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.