If you are planning a trip from Amherst to Haverhill, expect a manageable 96.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of roughly $15 for the transit, making it a cost-effective way to traverse this part of Massachusetts. Because the path stays entirely within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent New England feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that prioritizes efficiency over complexity, ideal for travelers who want to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
28.5 mi
33m
US 202
18.2 mi
25m
Daniel Shays Highway
14.2 mi
23m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
MA 2
12.2 mi
17m
Amherst Road
4.2 mi
8m
River Street
1.9 mi
2m
Pelham Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 28.5 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Haverhill, 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
0.3 mi·55 sec·College Street
4
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Dickinson Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
6
Continue on Pelham Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Pelham Road
7
Continue on Amherst Road
4.2 mi·8 min·Amherst Road
8
Turn left onto US 202
14 mi·23 min·Daniel Shays Highway
9
Take the ramp onto US 202
18 mi·25 min·US 202
10
Continue on MA 2
12 mi·17 min·MA 2
11
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
14
Merge onto I 495
28 mi·33 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 107Toward MA 110, MA 113: River StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·4 sec
Toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: River Street
17
Turn straight onto MA 110; MA 113
1.9 mi·2 min·River Street
18
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
0.3 mi·29 sec·Washington Street
19
Turn left onto MA 110
0.1 mi·16 sec·Emerson Street
20
Turn right onto Bailey Boulevard
0.3 mi·33 sec·Bailey Boulevard
21
Turn right onto MA 125
92 ft·2 sec·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
MA 125
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 96.1-mile trek, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the highway sections, as the $15 cost estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Given that the route is heavily reliant on I-495, try to check for real-time congestion alerts before you leave Amherst to ensure your 2-hour and 17-minute estimate remains accurate. Taking this simple, direct path allows you to focus on the road ahead rather than complex navigation.
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 48 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.5 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 21 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 1h 15m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haverhill, 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 96.1 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Amherst, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 28.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.8 and 93.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
8
93.3 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward MA 110, MA 113: River Street
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 107
Toward MA 110, MA 113: River Street
7
93.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: River Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: River Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.38 one way
$30.76 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$16.77
$33.54
premium
$4.82
$18.25
$36.50
diesel
$5.61
$21.22
$42.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.86
Concord Turnpike
(12.3 mi)$0.86
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Haverhill, MA
Late night
in Haverhill on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
38°F
Gardner, MA
48 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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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.
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 86.1
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.
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 79.5
. . . 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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 82.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its reliance on major transit corridors, with highways accounting for 74% of the total distance. You will spend a significant portion of your time navigating via I-495, US-202, and the Daniel Shays Highway. The most notable segment of the trip is a 28.5-mile stretch along I-495, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your journey. While the route begins with local connections, it quickly shifts into a faster-paced highway experience. Expect a consistent, functional road surface that keeps you moving steadily toward the Merrimack Valley without much variation in terrain.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.5 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and US 202. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.8 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 96.1 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 51.8 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,162 ft8 ft
Total Climb
2,114 ft
Total Descent
2,302 ft
Highest Point
1,162 ft
~28 mi in
Elevation Range
1,153 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 Haverhill, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence 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 17m. Total distance: 96.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.5 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.86 in tolls one way, starting with Concord 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 Haverhill, 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 51.8 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail 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 Haverhill, MA before heading back.
