Major city · United States
DudleyDudley, Massachusetts
Skip as a base: no hotels, thin bus service. Sleep in Sturbridge or Southbridge and drive in for 2–4 hours of trails, golf or a meal.
Dudley is a rural South County town of about 11,000 people, with no lodging of its own and most of its land in forest, ponds and conservation trails. It works as a half-day add-on to a Sturbridge or Southbridge stay, not as a place to sleep. Come by car; the regional bus reaches Nichols College and the housing authority but little else.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice and unplowed back roads)
- Airports
- BOS · BDL · PVD
- Nights
- 0
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dudley911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dudley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySmall-town setting; the practical risks are rural driving after dark and ice on back roads in winter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBOS Boston Logan International (Drive time varies with traffic: check before you book a connection.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way to reach the trails, the golf course and the mill district; much of Dudley is back roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–5
- Sit-down mealChinese-American dinner plateUS$10–20
- BeerDraught beer at a barUS$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekUS$10–25
- Budget bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedSturbridge motel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOS Boston Logan International (Drive time varies with traffic: check before you book a connection.) · BDL Bradley International (Windsor Locks, CT) (Often the shorter drive for South County; check current times.) · PVD Rhode Island T.F. Green (Third option; check current times.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dudley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical way to reach the trails, the golf course and the mill district; much of Dudley is back roads. Three state highways cross the town: Route 131 in the west, Route 197 through the centre and south, Route 31 in the north. A WRTA bus line runs through Dudley and stops near Nichols College and the Dudley Housing Authority (check current route, stops and times).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sturbridge
goDoor to door: About 20 min (check)
Route 131 north to Route 15, or I-90 west
Motel strip and Old Sturbridge Village; the practical base for Dudley.
Southbridge
goDoor to door: About 15 min (check)
Route 131 west
Closest restaurants and lodging; the Quinebaug rail trail starts on the Dudley side of the river.
Webster
goDoor to door: About 10 min (check)
Route 197 east over the French River
Bordering town with more food and services than Dudley.
Charlton
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min (check)
Route 31 north
Mostly a highway and orchard stop; little to fill a day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dudley itself
No hotels, motels or inns in town. Do not plan to sleep here.
Sturbridge
Chain motels at the I-90/I-84 junction, about 20 min northwest by car (check); the usual base for this corner of South County.
Southbridge
Smaller local lodging and restaurants, about 10–15 min west by car (check).
Webster
Bordering town to the east; more food and services than Dudley. Lodging availability: check.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$60–90 excl. bed (picnic and trail day) — 2026 estimate, check
- Mid
- US$100–160 excl. bed (two restaurant meals, golf or museum fees) — 2026 estimate, check
- High
- US$180+ excl. bed (golf, steak dinner, taxi back to Sturbridge) — 2026 estimate, check
Trip budget
| Sturbridge motel double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · 2026 estimate, check | US$60 |
| Fuel, about 60 km of local driving1 × US$8 · 2026 estimate, check | US$8 |
| Dudley Hill Golf Club green fee, 18 holes2 × US$45 · 2026 estimate, check | US$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · 2026 estimate, check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$58 |
| Trip total≈ US$318 per person per day, bed included | US$636 |
2026 estimate, check. Dudley has no lodging; this is the nearest realistic bed.
2026 estimate in US dollars, all figures check; sales tax is added at the till. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–5 |
| Pizza, one large | US$12–20 |
| Chinese-American dinner plate | US$10–20 |
| Hot dog | US$3–7 |
| Draught beer at a bar | US$6–9 |
| Golf green fee, 18 holescheck | US$40–60 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | US$10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No lodging in town: book in Sturbridge, Southbridge or Webster before you arrive.
- The bus serves a limited set of stops (check the current WRTA route); without a car you cannot easily reach the trails or the golf course.
- Some conservation trails allow leashed dogs, others do not: read the sign at the trailhead.
- Back roads are unlit and can ice over from December to March.
- Upside Food N Drink is cash only; there is an ATM on site.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DudleyDudley, Massachusetts
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Dudley; national embassies are in Washington, DC, and many countries keep consulates in Boston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- WRTA bus, one ride: about US$2, exact change (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Dudley to Sturbridge: US$20–30
- Rental car, one day: from about US$60 plus fuel (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the kitchen still open? — Is the kitchen still open?
- How far is it to Sturbridge? — How far is it to Sturbridge?
- Do you take dogs? — Do you take dogs?
Print or screenshot this card: cell signal drops in parts of the state forest.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dudley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice and unplowed back roads) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BOS, BDL and PVD: last sensible arrival times, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Nichols College and Center Rd, the Route 197 strip, the mill district and rail trail, the golf course and Airport Rd.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Pierpont Meadow, rail trail, golf club, Stevens Linen Works) and eat pages with last orders and cash-only flags.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Dudley official site
- officialTown of Dudley — Quinebaug River Valley Rail Trail & Bikeway
- officialMass Audubon — Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
- officialDudley Land Conservation Trust
- officialNichols College
- officialDudley Hill Golf Club
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dudley (Massachusetts), revision 5259507 (CC BY-SA 4.0)