Origin
Amherst, MA
Late night in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amherst, MA to Newton, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
85.7 mi
138 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Newton, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Amherst to Newton is a straightforward 85.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Massachusetts, you will remain within the Northeast region throughout your transit. It is designed as a single-day trip, making it an ideal option for a quick commute or a weekend visit. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should comfortably cover your needs for the one-way distance. Whether you are heading toward the Greater Boston area for business or pleasure, the efficiency of this path makes it a very manageable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 59.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| Federal Street | 5.6 mi | 10m |
| North Liberty Street | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Commonwealth Avenue | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Washington Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Belchertown Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Palmer Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Newton, 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 123
Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
Use 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 left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 39A
Toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
132 ft
·
4 sec
Toward MA 30 East: Newton
Use the left / right lanes.
29
Turn slight right onto MA 30
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Commonwealth Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Homer Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Homer Street
31
Arrive at destination
Homer Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. However, given the reliance on the Massachusetts Turnpike, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports to avoid peak-hour congestion near Newton. You won't need to plan for overnight stays, as the sub-two-hour duration allows you to complete the journey easily in one go. If you are sensitive to fluctuating fuel prices, keep your $14 estimate in mind when filling up, as prices can vary between the quieter western regions and the busier metropolitan areas. Use the lack of forced stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks according to your personal comfort rather than necessity.
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 42.9 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 4m 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 19 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 1h 4m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 85.7 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.9 miles from Amherst, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 19.9 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 20 / Thorndike Street
Turn left onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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...
6
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hamp...
9
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
8
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 30 East: Newton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward MA 30 East: Newton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.72 one way
$27.43 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.96 | $29.91 |
| premium | $4.82 | $16.27 | $32.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.92 | $37.84 |
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
$14
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Newton, MA
Late night in Newton on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 57m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 5.9
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 85.7
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 82.8
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$15
near mile 85.7
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 85.7
View on nps.gov
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 82.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 59.6-mile uninterrupted stretch. The drive begins with local navigation via Federal Street and North Liberty Street before transitioning into the faster, more consistent pace of the turnpike. While the initial sections require focus on local roads, the remainder of the trip offers a predictable, steady flow that helps you make good time as you move across the state.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.7 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Newton, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence Rhode Island along the way.
Providence Rhode Island
81 mi in
|
~1h 48m
About the Cities
Starting in Amherst, MA
Full guide →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."
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 85.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 Newton, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New England National Scenic Trail, Boston 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 Newton, MA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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