How far is Worcester, MA from Essex, MA?
The driving distance from Worcester, MA to Essex, MA is about 72 miles (115.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m 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 38m.
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.
A city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Worcester and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Worcester and Essex.
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1
Start on Main Street
89 m · 12 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Front Street
2166 ft · 51 sec · Front Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Washington Square
7 m · 1 sec · Grafton Street
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4
Exit the rotary onto Grafton Street
1219 ft · 34 sec · Grafton Street
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5
Continue on Grafton Street
2603 ft · 42 sec · Grafton Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Grafton Street
12 m · 1 sec · Grafton Street
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Grafton Street
2.9 mi · 3 min · Grafton Street
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8
Continue on Grafton Road
2091 ft · 59 sec · Grafton Road
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9
Take the exit right
2318 ft · 57 sec
-
10
Keep slight left
2974 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
26.1 mi · 30 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
2059 ft · 50 sec
-
13
Continue straight
1157 ft · 28 sec
-
14
Continue straight
915 ft · 22 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
2698 ft · 1 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
1186 ft · 29 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
24.4 mi · 33 min · Yankee Division Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Yankee Division Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Yankee Division Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MA 1A North: Hamilton, Beverly Regional Airport
102 m · 12 sec
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20
Turn right onto MA 1A North: North Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham
75 m · 6 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto Dodge Street
92 m · 4 sec · Dodge Street
-
22
Continue on Dodge Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Dodge Street
-
23
Turn slight right
51 m · 7 sec
-
24
Continue on Dodge Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Dodge Street
-
25
Continue on Dodges Row
1.1 km · 1 min · Dodges Row
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on Dodge Row
36 m · 5 sec · Dodge Row
-
27
Turn right onto Larch Row
2328 ft · 47 sec · Larch Row
-
28
Continue on Essex Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Essex Street
-
29
Continue on Western Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Western Avenue
-
30
Continue on Martin Street
1 km · 1 min · Martin Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Worcester and Essex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Worcester and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Worcester to Essex?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.8 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
Waltham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.9 miles from Worcester and 36 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 3:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.88 one way or $19.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Worcester and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Waltham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
Shoppers World
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waltham.
Back Bay station
North Station
South Station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Worcester and Essex. Straight-line distance: 57.91 mi (93.19 km).
#1 Worcester
The second most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 184,570 |
| Coordinates | 42.2625900, -71.8022900 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Essex
Town in Essex County, New York
| Population | 3,824 |
| Coordinates | 42.6320400, -70.7828300 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
End: Essex (-70.78283, 42.63204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $9.88 | $19.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $12.19 | $24.38 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.