If you are planning a trip from Amherst to Lawrence, expect a straightforward journey covering 88.9 miles. You should set aside about 2 hours and 9 minutes of travel time, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit costs between these two Massachusetts locations. Since the route stays entirely within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you move from the Pioneer Valley toward the Merrimack Valley. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans in the Lawrence area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.4 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
21.5 mi
24m
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
Pelham Road
0.9 mi
1m
Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 21.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Lawrence, 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
22 mi·24 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 99BToward MA 28 North: LawrenceUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto MA 28
0.2 mi·22 sec·Union Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto South Union Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Union Street
18
Turn left onto MA 114
0.3 mi·36 sec·Winthrop Avenue
19
Continue on MA 114
0.5 mi·55 sec·Parker Street
20
Continue on Amesbury Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Amesbury Street
21
Turn right onto Canal Street
282 ft·6 sec·Canal Street
22
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
492 ft·18 sec·Lawrence Street
23
Turn left onto Essex Street
498 ft·11 sec·Essex Street
24
Arrive at destination
Essex Street
Trip Plan
Given the total duration of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility when deciding when to depart. If you want to avoid peak congestion on I-495, try to time your drive outside of typical morning or evening rush hours. While the trip is short enough to complete without a scheduled stop, keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before getting on the interstate. Since this is a single-day trip, traveling light will help keep your fuel costs closer to the $14 estimate. Pay close attention to the transitions between the Daniel Shays Highway and the highway segments to ensure you stay on track for the most efficient route.
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 44.4 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.5 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 20 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.4 miles or 1h 10m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, 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 88.9 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 21.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 19
Wendell, Massachusetts
Hours: 6 pm–12 am
+19785442739
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.8 and 86.3 — 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
5
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
86.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward MA 28 North: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward MA 28 North: Lawrence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.23 one way
$28.46 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.52
$31.03
premium
$4.82
$16.88
$33.76
diesel
$5.61
$19.63
$39.26
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.33
$4.27
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lawrence, MA
Night
in Lawrence on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
38°F
Gardner, MA
44 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
16 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 9m 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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 70.5
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 85.8
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 79.7
. . . 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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 82.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 72% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of local routes like US 202 and the Daniel Shays Highway before transitioning onto I-495 for the bulk of the distance. Expect a varied pace, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on I-495 for 21.5 miles. The road’s personality shifts from the more rural, local-road feel near Amherst to the faster, more industrial flow of the interstate system as you approach your destination. It is a functional, efficient connection that prioritizes speed over winding scenic detours.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.5 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 15 significant decision points across 88.9 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.
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 9m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.5 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 Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, MA before heading back.
