How far is Waltham, MA from Athol, MA?
The driving distance from Waltham, MA to Athol, MA is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.8 miles (84.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waltham and Athol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham and Athol.
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1
Start on Main Street
56 m · 9 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Church Street
132 m · 13 sec · Church Street
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3
Turn left
120 m · 16 sec
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4
Turn right onto Lexington Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Lexington Street
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Totten Pond Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Totten Pond Road
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6
Turn right onto Wyman Street
1415 ft · 33 sec · Wyman Street
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7
Take the ramp left
1058 ft · 26 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Yankee Division Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Fitchburg
2204 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Concord Highway
2731 ft · 44 sec · Concord Highway
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11
Continue on Cambridge Turnpike
3.3 mi · 5 min · Cambridge Turnpike
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12
Continue on Concord Turnpike
3.9 mi · 6 min · Concord Turnpike
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13
Continue on Elm Street
1635 ft · 35 sec · Elm Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Concord Rotary
124 m · 5 sec · Union Turnpike
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15
Exit the rotary onto Union Turnpike
3035 ft · 39 sec · Union Turnpike
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16
Continue on Massachusetts Avenue
6.2 mi · 9 min · Massachusetts Avenue
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17
Continue on George W Stanton Highway
1406 ft · 22 sec · George W Stanton Highway
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18
Continue on Captain Isaac Davis Highway
11.2 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
25.7 mi · 36 min · Concord Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A: Athol, Phillipston
1546 ft · 57 sec
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21
Turn left onto Templeton Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road
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22
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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23
Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue
866 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Hill Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Bridge Street
82 m · 6 sec · Bridge Street
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25
Turn straight onto Crescent Street
1792 ft · 42 sec · Crescent Street
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26
Turn sharp right onto Fish Street
27 m · 5 sec · Fish Street
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27
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waltham and Athol.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Waltham 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 Waltham to Athol?
The road trip is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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 30.1 miles from Waltham and 30.2 miles from Athol.
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 7.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.29 one way or $16.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waltham and Mostly Sunny near Athol.
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 Waltham and Athol. Straight-line distance: 52.73 mi (84.86 km).
#1 Waltham
A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 62,069 |
| Coordinates | 42.3764900, -71.2356100 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athol
Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 11,698 |
| Coordinates | 42.5959200, -72.2267500 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athol (-72.22675, 42.59592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 97 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 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 | $8.29 | $16.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $9.37 | $18.73 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $9.56 | $19.12 |
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.