How far is Athol, MA from Waltham, MA?
The driving distance from Athol, MA to Waltham, MA is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.8 miles (84.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 12m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athol and Waltham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athol and Waltham.
-
1
Start on the route
13 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Crescent Street
747 ft · 28 sec · Crescent Street
-
3
Turn sharp left onto Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street
-
4
Continue on Templeton Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road
-
5
Continue on State Road
1.2 km · 1 min · State Road
-
6
Take the ramp left
989 ft · 24 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Mohawk Trail
23.9 mi · 33 min · Mohawk Trail
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
12.6 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike
-
9
Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
-
10
Continue on Union Turnpike
3019 ft · 2 min · Union Turnpike
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Concord Rotary
100 m · 4 sec · Elm Street
-
12
Exit the rotary onto Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
-
13
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.7 mi · 5 min · Concord Turnpike
-
14
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
3.5 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike Rte 2
-
15
Continue on Concord Highway
1307 ft · 25 sec · Concord Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Attleboro
2583 ft · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Yankee Division Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Totten Pond Road, Third Avenue
983 ft · 34 sec
-
19
Turn straight onto Winter Street
650 ft · 13 sec · Winter Street
-
20
Continue on Totten Pond Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Totten Pond Road
-
21
Turn slight right onto Lexington Street
1.5 km · 3 min · Lexington Street
-
22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
13 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athol and Waltham.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Mohawk Trail
Merge slight left onto Mohawk Trail
23.9 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Athol and Partly Sunny near Waltham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athol to Waltham?
The road trip is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km) and usually takes 01h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shirley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30 miles from Athol and 31 miles from Waltham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.8 miles (84.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.40 one way or $16.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Athol and Partly Sunny near Waltham.
Stop Ideas Near Shirley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Leominster City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shirley.
Nashua, NH
Union Station
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athol and Waltham. Straight-line distance: 52.73 mi (84.86 km).
#1 Athol
Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 11,698 |
| Coordinates | 42.5959200, -72.2267500 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waltham
A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 62,069 |
| Coordinates | 42.3764900, -71.2356100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street (-71.235588, 42.376412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 98 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $8.40 | $16.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $9.50 | $19.00 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $10.37 | $20.73 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $9.69 | $19.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.