How far is Gardner, MA from Worcester, MA?

The driving distance from Gardner, MA to Worcester, MA is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.8 miles (38.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
28.81 mi
00h 40m
Flight
23.79 mi
38.29 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gardner.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.79 mi
Kilometers
38.29 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.81 mi
Kilometers
46.37 km
Drive Time
00h 40m

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 00h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Worcester
Wed, Apr 22, 10:46 PM EDT
Return by in Gardner
Wed, Apr 22, 11:26 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gardner
2026-04-22T22:05
Arrive Worcester
Wed, Apr 22, 10:46 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:41 AM to 7:41 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Gardner
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Princeton
MA

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

From Gardner
14.4 mi
00h 20m
To Worcester
14.4 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph S
Destination
49°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gardner and Worcester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gardner and Worcester.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    29 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Nichols Street

    1206 ft · 41 sec · Nichols Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Baker Street

    550 ft · 15 sec · Baker Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Willow Street

    115 m · 13 sec · Willow Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Main Street

    623 ft · 18 sec · Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Timpany Boulevard

    636 ft · 13 sec · Timpany Boulevard

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Timpany Boulevard

    537 ft · 11 sec · Timpany Boulevard

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward American Legion Circle

    793 ft · 16 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary

    1412 ft · 40 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A, MA 140 South: Westminster

    1142 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    5.7 mi · 11 min

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Main Street

    32 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Redemption Rock Trail

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Redemption Rock Trail

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right

    1781 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 West: Auburn

    1933 ft · 37 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    2716 ft · 46 sec

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Ware, Framingham

    851 ft · 21 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Lincoln Street

    1533 ft · 29 sec · Lincoln Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Lincoln Square

    48 m · 2 sec · Lincoln Square

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1 km · 1 min · Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gardner and Worcester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
83.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Redemption Rock Trail
13.5 mi · 47%
American Legion Circle
5.5 mi · 19%
Main Street
1.87 mi · 6%
I 290 West
0.88 mi · 3%
Lincoln Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Nichols Street
0.23 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Redemption Rock Trail

Merge slight left

8.52 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 40m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5 mi
23.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Princeton
00h 20m from Gardner
Leave By
7:08 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Gardner and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers near Worcester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gardner to Worcester?

The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.4 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Gardner and 14.4 miles from Worcester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 23.8 miles (38.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.97 one way or $7.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Gardner and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers near Worcester.

Stop Ideas Near Princeton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Princeton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.2 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Worcester City Hall
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

Worcester City Hall

Worcester , MA
455 Main St UNIT 309, Worcester, MA 01608
Rating 4.5/5 79 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall
Nearby stop 13.1 mi away

City Hall

Worcester , MA
Worcester, MA 01608
Rating 4.0/5 4 reviews Bus stop

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Princeton.

RAIL

Union Station

22 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

42 mi away
417 Waverly St.
BUS

Nashua, NH

49 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Amherst, Massachusetts

53 mi away
13 Railroad St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gardner and Worcester. Straight-line distance: 23.79 mi (38.29 km).

Gardner

#1 Gardner

City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Population20,585
Coordinates42.5750900, -71.9981300
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Worcester

#2 Worcester

The second most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population184,570
Coordinates42.2625900, -71.8022900
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Start: Nichols Street (-71.998487, 42.575033)
End: Main Street (-71.802507, 42.262637)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.02 gal
3.85 L · about $3.97
Round trip
$7.94
2.04 gal · 7.7 L
Estimated CO2
9.1 kg one way
Round trip: 18.1 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $3.97 $7.94
Mid-grade $4.40 $4.48 $8.97
Premium $4.80 $4.89 $9.79
Diesel $4.49 $4.58 $9.16

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

There is no time difference between Gardner and Worcester. The current time is 22:05:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.