Summer Road Trips in Massachusetts
Routes
30
Avg Distance
194 mi
Avg Drive
4h 8m
Destinations
26
Summer in Massachusetts means longer days and access to beautiful natural landscapes, perfect for exploring the state's 30 diverse routes. With an average length of 191 miles and taking about 4 hours, these drives offer a range of experiences. You'll find drives with a score as high as 9, reaching elevations up to 1,890 feet, and some with excellent EV charging coverage.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.24/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$19–$192
One-way, ~194 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~68 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Massachusetts
Massachusetts peaks at around 82°F in Jul and cools to 37°F / 23°F in Jan. Wettest month is Dec at ~4.3 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | 14.3 |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | 14.4 |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | 9 |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | 1.6 |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | — |
| Jun peak | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | — |
| Jul peak | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | — |
| Aug peak | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | — |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | — |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4 | 0.2 |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | 0.7 |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | 9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MA — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Chelsea, MA → Lanett, AL
Through: New York City → Waterbury → Newark +9 more
This long-haul drive, covering 1163 miles, presents a journey through gently rolling terrain with a modest maximum elevation of 974 feet, offering a different pace compared to shorter regional trips.
Editor's pick
Williamstown, MA → Dummer, NH
Through: Lower Waterford
With a high drive score of 9, this mostly highway route extends for 230 miles into New Hampshire, featuring a maximum elevation of 1,890 feet and excellent EV charging infrastructure.
Editor's pick
Boston, MA → New York City, NY
Through: Waterbury → Manhattan
This 214-mile trip to New York City scores a 9, primarily utilizing highways across mostly flat terrain with a maximum elevation of 681 feet and fair EV charging availability.
New Bedford, MA → Williamstown, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
Williamstown, MA → New Bedford, MA
Through: Providence → Cape Cod → Seekonk
Williamstown, MA → Bald Head, ME
Through: Lawrence → New Hampshire → Maine Points
New Bedford, MA → Cheshire, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
Williamstown, MA → Fall River, MA
Through: Providence → Cape Cod → Seekonk
Springfield, MA → Orleans, MA
Through: Taunton → Cape Cod
New Bedford, MA → Dalton, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
Springfield, MA → Chatham, MA
Through: Taunton → Cape Cod
Williamstown, MA → Boston, MA
Haverhill, MA → Pittsfield, MA
Through: Nashua New Hampshire
Cheshire, MA → Lynn, MA
Brockton, MA → Sheffield, MA
Through: Portsmouth New Hampshire → Albany → Newton +6 more
New Bedford, MA → Stockbridge, MA
Springfield, MA → West Dennis, MA
Through: Taunton → Cape Cod
Springfield, MA → South Yarmouth, MA
Through: Taunton → Cape Cod
New Bedford, MA → Becket, MA
Through: Springfield → Northampton
Fall River, MA → Housatonic, MA
Through: Springfield → Pittsfield
Brockton, MA → Hinsdale, MA
Through: Portsmouth New Hampshire → Albany → Newton +6 more
New Bedford, MA → Conway, MA
Through: Springfield → Holyoke
New Bedford, MA → Worthington, MA
Through: Springfield → Northampton
West Stockbridge, MA → Lynn, MA
Lowell, MA → Lanesborough, MA
Through: Pittsfield
Brockton, MA → Lenox, MA
Through: Portsmouth New Hampshire → Albany → Newton +5 more
Fall River, MA → Lenox, MA
Through: Springfield
Brockton, MA → Becket, MA
Through: Portsmouth New Hampshire → Albany → Newton +6 more
Fall River, MA → Shelburne, MA
Through: Springfield → Holyoke
Fall River, MA → Becket, MA
Through: Springfield → Northampton