How far is Waltham, MA from Leicester, MA?

The driving distance from Waltham, MA to Leicester, MA is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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
41.52 mi
01h 00m
Flight
35.55 mi
57.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waltham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.55 mi
Kilometers
57.22 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.52 mi
Kilometers
66.82 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Leicester
Sun, May 31, 3:53 AM EDT
Return by in Waltham
Sun, May 31, 4:53 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waltham
2026-05-31T02:53
Arrive Leicester
Sun, May 31, 3:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waltham
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
Westborough
MA

Town in Massachusetts

From Waltham
20.8 mi
00h 30m
To Leicester
20.8 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph NW
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waltham and Leicester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waltham and Leicester.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Weston Street

    54 m · 3 sec · Weston Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · South Street

  4. 4

    Continue on River Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · River Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York

    939 ft · 23 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York

    73 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York

    120 m · 10 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

    26.1 mi · 30 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 122: Millbury, Worcester

    1 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    53 m · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Grafton Road

    2091 ft · 53 sec · Grafton Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Grafton Street

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Grafton Street

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Grafton Street

    38 m · 2 sec · Grafton Street

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Grafton Street

    2390 ft · 39 sec · Grafton Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Grafton Street

    75 m · 5 sec · Grafton Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Winter Street

    1131 ft · 44 sec · Winter Street

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Green Street

    158 m · 12 sec · Green Street

  19. 19

    Turn sharp left onto McGrath Boulevard

    905 ft · 33 sec · McGrath Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Myrtle Street

    1174 ft · 32 sec · Myrtle Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Main Street

    5.4 mi · 11 min · Main Street

  22. 22

    Continue on South Main Street

    3277 ft · 2 min · South Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn left

    14 m · 3 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waltham and Leicester.

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
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Massachusetts Turnpike
26.1 mi · 63%
Main Street
6.17 mi · 15%
Grafton Street
3.42 mi · 8%
South Street
1.77 mi · 4%
I 90 West
0.75 mi · 2%
River Road
0.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Massachusetts Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike

26.1 mi · 00h 30m

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 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6 mi
35.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Westborough
00h 30m from Waltham
Leave By
4:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Waltham and Mostly Sunny near Leicester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waltham to Leicester?

The road trip is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Westborough is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.8 miles from Waltham and 20.8 miles from Leicester.

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

The direct path is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6 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 4:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.72 one way or $11.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Waltham and Mostly Sunny near Leicester.

Stop Ideas Near Westborough

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Westborough, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Union Station

15 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

16 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Route 128 station

39 mi away
50 University Ave
RAIL

Back Bay station

45 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waltham and Leicester. Straight-line distance: 35.55 mi (57.22 km).

Waltham

#1 Waltham

A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Population62,069
Coordinates42.3764900, -71.2356100
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Leicester

#2 Leicester

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts

Population11,272
Coordinates42.2459300, -71.9086800
Altitude298
CountryUnited States
Start: Waltham (-71.23561, 42.37649)
End: Leicester (-71.90868, 42.24593)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.47 gal
5.55 L · about $5.72
Round trip
$11.44
2.94 gal · 11.1 L
Estimated CO2
13.1 kg one way
Round trip: 26.1 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.72 $11.44
Mid-grade $4.40 $6.46 $12.93
Premium $4.80 $7.05 $14.11
Diesel $4.49 $6.60 $13.19

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Waltham and Leicester. The current time is 02:53:51.

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.