Massachusetts State Highway Routes

Interstate 290 (abbreviated I-290) runs for 20.16 miles (32.44 km) from Auburn, Massachusetts to Marlborough, Massachusetts. It is a continuation of I-395 north of I-90 (the Mass Pike) and runs through downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, I-190 splits off, and I-290 runs across Lake Quinsigamond and east to I-495 in Marlboro. There are buildings very close to the highway, including a grand church which faces the road (referred to locally as "Our Lady of the Highway"). Massachusetts has built a freeway connector (Route 146) from I-290 in Worcester to the Mass Pike and then south to Providence, Rhode Island.

Originally, I-290 was to rejoin I-90 in Westborough, roughly where I-495 sits now. However, this route would have run through the town centers of Shrewsbury and Northborough. Additionally, I-290 was intended to be extended past I-495 to I-95/Route 128 in Waltham, but this was canceled under pressure from towns along the planned route. A brief two-lane connector heads to Route 85 as a result of this aborted plan. The interchange with I-495 was originally supposed to be a cloverleaf, but after the plan was canceled, it was modified with a flyover ramp onto 495-northbound.