Traveling from Amherst to Brockton covers 108.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. This trek is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to reach your destination comfortably. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the journey, making it a manageable expense for a weekend getaway or a quick visit. The route moves across the Northeast region, transitioning from the academic atmosphere of Amherst toward the urban surroundings of Brockton. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. It is a straightforward transit between these two Massachusetts locations, offering a practical way to connect across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
59.6 mi
1h 8m
Yankee Division Highway
12.1 mi
16m
Amvets Highway
7.3 mi
8m
Federal Street
5.6 mi
10m
North Liberty Street
4.1 mi
7m
US 1
3.1 mi
4m
North Main Street
2.6 mi
4m
North Washington Street
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Brockton, MA.
1
Start on Depot Road
449 ft·20 sec·Depot Road
2
Turn right onto MA 116
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Pleasant Street
3
Turn right onto MA 9
1.0 mi·2 min·College Street
4
Continue on MA 9
2.1 mi·3 min·Belchertown Road
5
Continue on MA 9
391 ft·6 sec·USMC League Highway
6
Continue on MA 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Federal Street
7
Continue on Federal Street
2.5 mi·4 min·Federal Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 9
1.3 mi·2 min·Federal Street
9
Turn right onto US 202
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Washington Street
2.1 mi·3 min·North Washington Street
11
Continue on North Liberty Street
4.1 mi·7 min·North Liberty Street
12
Continue on Belchertown Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Belchertown Street
13
Continue on Bridge Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Bridge Street
14
Turn left onto Palmer Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Palmer Road
15
Turn right onto MA 181
0.1 mi·14 sec·Sykes Street
16
Continue on MA 181
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·7 sec
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
22
Merge onto I 90
60 mi·1 hr 8 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 123Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode IslandUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
25
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode IslandUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
12 mi·16 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto US 1
3.1 mi·4 min·US 1
Exit 26Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on MA 24
7.3 mi·8 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 33AToward MA 27 South: BrocktonUse the right lane.
32
Turn straight onto MA 27
425 ft·8 sec·Reynolds Memorial Highway
33
Continue on MA 27
0.7 mi·1 min·Reynolds Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn slight left onto MA 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Pleasant Street
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto Warren Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Warren Avenue
36
Turn left onto West Elm Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·West Elm Street
37
Turn left onto Main Street
514 ft·14 sec·Main Street
38
Turn right onto Church Street
409 ft·13 sec·Church Street
39
Turn uturn
68 ft·7 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth transition between Amherst and Brockton, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Since the total drive time is under two and a half hours, you can easily complete the trip without any mandatory stops, though checking your fuel levels before merging onto the turnpike is a smart proactive step. Given the 108.1-mile distance, keep your pace steady to make the most of the highway-heavy route. If you find yourself needing a break, look for rest areas along the longer highway segments to stretch your legs. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so use the time you save by not needing an overnight stay to explore your destination more thoroughly upon arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 24 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brockton, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 108.1 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Amherst, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 81 and 105.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
81 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providen...
9
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95 South: Dedham, Providence Rhode Isl...
8
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 1
Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
7
97.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
105.1 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward MA 27 South: Brockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 33A
Toward MA 27 South: Brockton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.30 one way
$34.60 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$18.87
$37.73
premium
$4.82
$20.53
$41.05
diesel
$5.61
$23.87
$47.73
Estimated Tolls: $3.58
Massachusetts Turnpike
(59.6 mi)$3.58
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.46
$4.32
EV Truck/SUV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Amherst, MA
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brockton, MA
Night
in Brockton on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
54 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 85.7
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 96.9
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile that balances high-speed transit with local transitions. You will spend roughly 58% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Yankee Division Highway, and the Amvets Highway. The most significant portion of your travel includes a 59.6-mile stretch on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition between these major arteries, the road's personality shifts from open interstate cruising to the more varied pace of regional highways. Expect a functional commute that prioritizes efficiency as you navigate across the Massachusetts landscape.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.6 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 108.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 81 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
841 ft58 ft
Total Climb
1,269 ft
Total Descent
1,392 ft
Highest Point
841 ft
~31.5 mi in
Elevation Range
783 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Amherst, MA to Brockton, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence Rhode Island along the way.
Amherst is a town in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Amherst is home to about 35,000 residents as well as the campuses of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. A usually pleasant mix of students, academics, and retirees makes it a quintessential New England college town.
Amherst is at the center of a vibrant academic consortium comprising UMass, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and two more colleges in neighboring towns: Smith College in Northampton and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley. Because of this the area is frequently referred to as the "Five College Area."
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 108.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.58 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brockton, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 81 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.2 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New England National Scenic Trail, Adams National Historical Park and Minute Man National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brockton, MA before heading back.
