Traveling from Barre to Fall River covers 78.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes of driving time. Since the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a one-day excursion, allowing you to complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Northeast region using a combination of the Providence Pike, Eddie Dowling Highway, and the East Providence Expressway. Budgeting approximately $12 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Massachusetts locations. This route offers a straightforward transition between the regions, making it a practical option for travelers seeking a direct connection without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Barre, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Providence Expressway
13.5 mi
16m
Providence Pike
7.7 mi
8m
Eddie Dowling Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Worcester Providence Turnpike
7 mi
8m
Pleasant Street
6.8 mi
12m
Worcester Road
6.1 mi
11m
North Smithfield Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
Barre Paxton Road
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
East Providence Expressway
— 13.5 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barre, MA and Fall River, MA.
1
Start on MA 32; MA 122
171 ft·2 sec·Concert Mall
2
Continue on MA 32; MA 122
1.2 mi·1 min·Summer Street
3
Continue on MA 122
6.1 mi·11 min·Worcester Road
4
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
5
Continue on MA 122
3.6 mi·5 min·Barre Paxton Road
6
Continue on MA 122
6.8 mi·12 min·Pleasant Street
7
Turn right onto MA 122
3.0 mi·4 min·Chandler Street
8
Continue on MA 122; MA 122A
0.1 mi·17 sec·Madison Street
9
Turn right onto Southbridge Street
0.4 mi·50 sec·Southbridge Street
10
Turn left onto Quinsigamond Avenue
0.6 mi·57 sec·Quinsigamond Avenue
11
Continue on MA 146
2.5 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Highway
12
Continue on MA 122A; MA 146
2.1 mi·2 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
13
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
14
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·8 min·Worcester Providence Turnpike
15
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·22 sec·Purple Heart Highway
16
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
17
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·15 sec·Purple Heart Highway
18
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
19
Continue on RI 146
7.5 mi·8 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on RI 146
2.9 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
21
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi·1 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 6
3.3 mi·5 min·US 6
Exit 36AToward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape CodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6
13 mi·16 min·East Providence Expressway
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MAUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 12-13Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street
25
Keep slight right at fork
482 ft·12 sec
Exit 12Toward Downtown Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Hartwell Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Hartwell Street
27
Continue on Troy Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Troy Street
28
Turn left onto Bedford Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bedford Street
29
Turn left onto Purchase Street
269 ft·19 sec·Purchase Street
30
Arrive at destination
Purchase Street
Trip Plan
Because the drive is under two hours, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours remains a smart strategy for a smoother experience. Since there are no designated stops programmed into this 78.1-mile route, consider planning your own intervals if you prefer to break up the drive. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $12, so topping off your tank before you leave Barre ensures you won't need to hunt for a station mid-trip. Pay close attention to the transition onto the East Providence Expressway, as this is your longest highway stretch and requires steady focus. Embracing the lack of mandatory stops gives you the freedom to reach Fall River at your own pace.
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 39.1 miles from Barre, MA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.5 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 17 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 59m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall River, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barre, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barre, MA
This is one driving day of about 78.1 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Barre, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East Providence Expressway for about 13.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 59.5 and 77.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape Cod
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 36A
Toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence,...
8
64 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
6
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12-13
Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell S...
9
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Fall River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Downtown Fall River
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.50 one way
$25.00 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$13.63
$27.26
premium
$4.82
$14.83
$29.66
diesel
$5.61
$17.24
$34.49
Estimated Tolls: $0.64
Worcester Providence Turnpike
(7 mi)$0.49
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(2.1 mi)$0.15
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.4
0
$8.20
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.5
0
$6.83
$3.12
EV Truck/SUV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Barre, MA
Late night
in Barre on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fall River, MA
Late night
in Fall River on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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.
Road read
1h 48m 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.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 78.1
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition across the state, with about 42% of your time spent on highways. The route balances faster stretches with more technical driving, preventing the monotony often found on pure interstate travel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment while navigating the 13.5-mile stretch on the East Providence Expressway. As you move from Barre toward Fall River, the road environment shifts to accommodate varying traffic patterns and road types. Staying alert is key, as the character of the drive evolves from local road segments to more sustained highway speeds.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.5 mi on East Providence Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 59.5 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 59.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Barre, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Cape Cod and Seekonk.
In the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts, where the Taunton River empties into Mount Hope Bay, stands Fall River- the "Spindle City". Not to be overshadowed by nearby Boston and Providence, Fall River offers visitors unique attractions that are absent from its two larger neighbors. Fall River is famous for Battleship Cove, the largest museum of its kind in the world; a rich Portuguese-American culture, featuring authentic food; and the accused axe murderess Lizzie Borden.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). 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 13.5 miles on East Providence Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.64 in tolls one way, starting with Worcester Providence 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 Fall River, 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 59.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (4 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 Fall River, MA before heading back.
