How far is Newton, MA from Athol, MA?

The driving distance from Newton, MA to Athol, MA is about 65.2 miles (104.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 54.9 miles (88.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
65.16 mi
01h 36m
Flight
54.86 mi
88.29 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Newton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
54.86 mi
Kilometers
88.29 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
65.16 mi
Kilometers
104.87 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Athol
Thu, Apr 23, 1:38 AM EDT
Return by in Newton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Newton
2026-04-23T00:02
Arrive Athol
Thu, Apr 23, 1:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Newton
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Shirley
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Newton
32.5 mi
00h 48m
To Athol
32.6 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Newton and Athol.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newton and Athol.

  1. 1

    Start on Homer Street

    770 ft · 24 sec · Homer Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Commonwealth Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Commonwealth Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Commonwealth Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    109 m · 9 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire

    920 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Yankee Division Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Fitchburg

    2204 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Concord Highway

    2731 ft · 44 sec · Concord Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Cambridge Turnpike

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike

  10. 10

    Continue on Concord Turnpike

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike

  11. 11

    Continue on Elm Street

    1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Concord Rotary

    124 m · 5 sec · Union Turnpike

  13. 13

    Exit the rotary onto Union Turnpike

    3035 ft · 39 sec · Union Turnpike

  14. 14

    Continue on Massachusetts Avenue

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on George W Stanton Highway

    1406 ft · 22 sec · George W Stanton Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway

    11.2 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    25.7 mi · 36 min · Concord Turnpike

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A: Athol, Phillipston

    1546 ft · 57 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Templeton Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue

    866 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Hill Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    82 m · 6 sec · Bridge Street

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Crescent Street

    1792 ft · 42 sec · Crescent Street

  24. 24

    Turn sharp right onto Fish Street

    27 m · 5 sec · Fish Street

  25. 25

    Turn right

    13 m · 3 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Newton and Athol.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Concord Turnpike
29.6 mi · 45%
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
11.2 mi · 17%
Massachusetts Avenue
6.24 mi · 10%
Yankee Division Highway
5.79 mi · 9%
Cambridge Turnpike
3.33 mi · 5%
Commonwealth Avenue
3.09 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

25.7 mi · 00h 36m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
54.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shirley
00h 48m from Newton
Leave By
3:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Newton and Mostly Sunny near Athol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Newton to Athol?

The road trip is about 65.2 miles (104.9 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 32.5 miles from Newton and 32.6 miles from Athol.

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

The direct path is about 54.9 miles (88.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 3:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.95 one way or $17.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Newton and Mostly Sunny near Athol.

Stop Ideas Near Shirley

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 Shirley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Nashua, NH

30 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

35 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

42 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Newton and Athol. Straight-line distance: 54.86 mi (88.29 km).

Newton

#1 Newton

The most populous city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population87,803
Coordinates42.3370400, -71.2092200
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Athol

#2 Athol

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Population11,698
Coordinates42.5959200, -72.2267500
Altitude170
CountryUnited States
Start: Newton (-71.20922, 42.33704)
End: Athol (-72.22675, 42.59592)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.3 gal
8.7 L · about $8.95
Round trip
$17.89
4.6 gal · 17.4 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.9 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $8.95 $17.89
Mid-grade $4.40 $10.11 $20.23
Premium $4.80 $11.04 $22.08
Diesel $4.49 $10.32 $20.64

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 Newton and Athol. The current time is 00:02:28.

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.