How far is Boston, MA from Sterling, MA?
The driving distance from Boston, MA to Sterling, MA is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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 13m.
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 Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boston and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boston and Sterling.
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1
Start on Tremont Street
1.2 km · 3 min · Tremont Street
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2
Continue on Tremont Street
92 m · 15 sec · Tremont Street
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3
Continue on Tremont Street
147 m · 21 sec · Tremont Street
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4
Turn right onto Marginal Road
96 m · 13 sec · Marginal Road
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, Massachusetts Turnpike Toll West
753 ft · 12 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
22.2 mi · 28 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MA 9: Framingham, Southboro
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on MA 9 West: Southboro, Worcester
2933 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Worcester Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Worcester Road
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10
Continue on Turnpike Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Turnpike Road
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Lowell
2026 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left
10.3 mi · 12 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MA 117: Bolton, Stow
867 ft · 30 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MA 117: Bolton, Stow
115 m · 13 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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16
Turn left onto Wattaquadock Hill Road
3 mi · 5 min · Wattaquadock Hill Road
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17
Continue on Bolton Road
1416 ft · 29 sec · Bolton Road
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18
Continue on Water Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Water Street
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19
Continue on Sterling Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · Sterling Street
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20
Continue on Clinton Road
2473 ft · 42 sec · Clinton Road
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Clinton Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Clinton Road
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22
Turn straight onto Leominster Road
120 m · 13 sec · Leominster Road
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23
Turn straight onto Main Street
627 ft · 27 sec · Main Street
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24
Turn sharp right onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
17 m · 2 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boston and Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Massachusetts Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
22.2 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Boston and Partly Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boston to Sterling?
The road trip is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Southborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Boston and 25.1 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 4:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.89 one way or $13.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Boston and Partly Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Southborough
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Southborough.
Framingham station
Union Station
Route 128 station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boston and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 36.18 mi (58.22 km).
#1 Boston
The twenty-first most populous city in the United States and the center of the Boston metropolitan area.
| Population | 691,531 |
| Coordinates | 42.3584300, -71.0597700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 8,166 |
| Coordinates | 42.4375900, -71.7606300 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-71.76063, 42.43759)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $6.89 | $13.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $7.78 | $15.57 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $8.49 | $16.99 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $7.94 | $15.89 |
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.