If you are planning a trip from Barre to Haverhill, you can expect a straightforward journey spanning 69.6 miles. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $11 for fuel will cover your transit across this Northeast corridor. Because the route is compact and efficient, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Massachusetts towns that gets you to your destination without unnecessary hassle.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.8 miles from Barre, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
28.5 mi
33m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
MA 2
8.9 mi
13m
South Street
3.6 mi
7m
Hubbardston Road
3.5 mi
6m
New Westminster Road
3.5 mi
6m
Barre Road
2.4 mi
4m
River Street
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 28.5 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barre, MA and Haverhill, MA.
1
Start on MA 32; MA 122
171 ft·10 sec·Concert Mall
2
Turn sharp left onto South Street
168 ft·3 sec·South Street
3
Continue on MA 62
0.4 mi·47 sec·Mechanic Street
4
Continue on MA 62
3.5 mi·6 min·Hubbardston Road
5
Continue on MA 62
0.4 mi·44 sec·Old Boston Turnpike
6
Turn left onto Barre Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Barre Road
7
Continue on Elm Street
0.3 mi·30 sec·Elm Street
8
Continue on Brigham Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Brigham Street
9
Continue on New Westminster Road
3.5 mi·6 min·New Westminster Road
10
Continue on South Street
3.6 mi·7 min·South Street
11
At end of road, turn right onto MA 2A
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
13
Merge onto MA 2
8.9 mi·13 min·MA 2
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
17
Merge onto I 495
28 mi·33 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 107Toward MA 110, MA 113: River StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·4 sec
Toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: River Street
20
Turn straight onto MA 110; MA 113
1.9 mi·2 min·River Street
21
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
0.3 mi·29 sec·Washington Street
22
Turn left onto MA 110
0.1 mi·16 sec·Emerson Street
23
Turn right onto Bailey Boulevard
0.3 mi·33 sec·Bailey Boulevard
24
Turn right onto MA 125
92 ft·2 sec·Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
MA 125
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on personal preference rather than strict logistical constraints. Keep in mind that I-495 is the backbone of this journey, so be prepared for the typical flow of high-speed interstate traffic. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily pace the drive to suit your own comfort level. My best tip is to monitor traffic patterns on the Concord Turnpike before you leave Barre, as this segment can impact your arrival time in Haverhill. Since the trip is short, you can easily complete it in one go without needing to plan for extended rest breaks.
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 34.8 miles from Barre, MA, or about 57m 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 15 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.8 miles or 57m 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 27m
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 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 69.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Barre, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Street
Turn sharp left onto South Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
25.3 mi into trip|~44m 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
37.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
8
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
67 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
$11.14 one way
$22.28 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.15
$24.29
premium
$4.82
$13.22
$26.43
diesel
$5.61
$15.37
$30.73
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.09
$2.78
EV Truck/SUV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 13, 2026
Origin
Barre, MA
Late night
in Barre on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Haverhill, MA
Late night
in Haverhill on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 13 mph27% chanceLive 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
12 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 40m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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 43.2
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...
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 55.2
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...
. . . 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 55.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of roads, primarily utilizing MA 2, the Concord Turnpike, and I-495 to make your way east. The personality of the road is defined by its efficiency, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 28.5 miles on I-495. Expect a transition from the quieter surroundings of Barre to the more heavily trafficked highway system. It is a functional route designed for steady movement rather than leisurely cruising.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (South Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 25.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,068 ft49 ft
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
1,094 ft
Highest Point
1,068 ft
~14.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,019 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 Barre, MA to Haverhill, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 69.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m 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 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.
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: near the start (South Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 25.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime 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.
