How far is Worcester, MA from Chelmsford, MA?

The driving distance from Worcester, MA to Chelmsford, MA is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
37.87 mi
00h 49m
Flight
32.17 mi
51.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Worcester.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.17 mi
Kilometers
51.78 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.87 mi
Kilometers
60.94 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelmsford
Thu, Apr 16, 1:15 AM EDT
Return by in Worcester
Thu, Apr 16, 2:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Worcester
2026-04-16T00:26
Arrive Chelmsford
Thu, Apr 16, 1:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Worcester
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
Bolton
MA

Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts

From Worcester
18.9 mi
00h 24m
To Chelmsford
19 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    3267 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Lincoln Square

    47 m · 4 sec · Lincoln Square

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lincoln Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Street

    2057 ft · 43 sec · Lincoln Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 290: Marlboro

    1163 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    11.5 mi · 13 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 495 North: Lowell

    1.1 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    22.1 mi · 25 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 4: North Chelmsford

    1298 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Road

    559 ft · 16 sec · North Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Worthen Street

    657 ft · 18 sec · Worthen Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Worthen Street

    53 m · 5 sec · Worthen Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Westford Street

    3011 ft · 2 min · Westford Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Clover Hill Drive

    961 ft · 42 sec · Clover Hill Drive

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Clover Hill Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 495 North
22.8 mi · 60%
I 290
11.7 mi · 31%
Lincoln Street
1.53 mi · 4%
Main Street
0.62 mi · 2%
Westford Street
0.57 mi · 2%
MA 4
0.25 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 495 North

Merge slight left

22.1 mi · 00h 25m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bolton
00h 24m from Worcester
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Worcester and Chance Rain Showers near Chelmsford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Bolton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.9 miles from Worcester and 19 miles from Chelmsford.

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

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.21 one way or $10.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Worcester and Chance Rain Showers near Chelmsford.

Stop Ideas Near Bolton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bolton, 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 Bolton.

RAIL

Framingham station

23 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Union Station

24 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

39 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
BUS

Nashua, NH

41 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Worcester and Chelmsford. Straight-line distance: 32.17 mi (51.78 km).

Worcester

#1 Worcester

The second most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population184,570
Coordinates42.2625900, -71.8022900
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Chelmsford

#2 Chelmsford

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Population35,528
Coordinates42.5998100, -71.3672800
Altitude75
CountryUnited States
Start: Worcester (-71.80229, 42.26259)
End: Chelmsford (-71.36728, 42.59981)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.34 gal
5.06 L · about $5.21
Round trip
$10.43
2.68 gal · 10.12 L
Estimated CO2
11.9 kg one way
Round trip: 23.8 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.21 $10.43
Mid-grade $4.40 $5.89 $11.78
Premium $4.80 $6.43 $12.86
Diesel $4.49 $6.01 $12.03

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Worcester and Chelmsford. The current time is 00:26:34.

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.