Origin
Charlton, MA
Evening in Charlton on Friday
Local time
8:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlton, MA to Plymouth, MA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
85.2 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlton, MA
Italo Melo
Plymouth, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Charlton, MA to Plymouth, MA is 85.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m via I 495 and US 44, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, traversing the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll find the route efficient, making it a practical option for getting between these two points without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.6 miles from Charlton, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 42.5 mi | 49m |
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 15.7 mi | 18m |
| US 44 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Worcester Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Southbridge Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Southbridge Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Samoset Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 42.5 mi, about 49m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 188 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,598 veh/hr typical · worst 4,346
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlton, MA and Plymouth, MA.
1
Start on this road
65 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto MA 31
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto L Stevens Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
L Stevens Road
4
Turn right onto US 20
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Worcester Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 20
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Southbridge Road
6
Enter roundabout onto US 20
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southbridge Road
7
Continue on US 20
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southbridge Road
8
Continue on US 20; MA 12
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southbridge Street
9
Continue on MA 12
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southbridge Street
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East
12
Merge onto I 90
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 495 South: Taunton, Cape Cod
15
Merge onto I 495
43 mi
·
49 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 15
Toward US 44: Middleboro, Plymouth
17
Turn right onto US 44
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Harding Street
18
Enter roundabout onto US 44
446 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 44
19
Continue on US 44
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 44
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 44
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 44
Toward MA 3 South, US 44 East: Cape Cod
21
Merge onto US 44; MA 3
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
Pilgrims Highway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 15B
Toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
23
Turn straight onto Samoset Street
254 ft
·
9 sec
·
Samoset Street
24
Continue on Samoset Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Samoset Street
25
Turn right onto MA 3A
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Court Street
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
MA 3A
Trip Plan
For this 1h 47m drive, leaving in the morning or early afternoon should give you plenty of time to reach Plymouth without feeling rushed. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is 42.5 miles on I 495, plan a fuel stop before you get too low, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank. The $14 fuel estimate suggests this is an economical trip, but it's always wise to check current prices. With only one day recommended, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but be mindful of potential local traffic closer to Plymouth.
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 42.6 miles from Charlton, MA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.5 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlton, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlton, MA
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Charlton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 42.5 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 42.6 miles from Charlton, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 24.1 and 83.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
24.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
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 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
6
24.3 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 South: Taunton, Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 South: Taunton, Cape Cod
6
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 44: Middleboro, Plymouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15
Toward US 44: Middleboro, Plymouth
6
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 44
Keep slight right at fork onto US 44 toward MA 3 South, US 44 East: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 3 South, US 44 East: Cape Cod
6
83.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15B
Toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.21 one way
$28.42 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $15.65 | $31.30 |
| premium | $5.06 | $16.96 | $33.93 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Massachusetts Turnpike
(15.7 mi)
$0.94
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: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
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
Plymouth, MA
Evening in Plymouth on Friday
Local time
8:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 86% of the 85.2 miles taking place on faster roads like I 495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. You'll encounter a long stretch of 42.5 miles on I 495 before transitioning to other roads. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate these main arteries, especially as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.5 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Massachusetts Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
515 ft
46 ft
Total Climb
257 ft
Total Descent
722 ft
Highest Point
515 ft
~18.3 mi in
Elevation Range
469 ft
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.
Between Charlton, MA and Plymouth, MA, road signs point toward Taunton and Cape Cod.
Taunton
24.1 mi in
|
~33m
Cape Cod
24.3 mi in
|
~34m
About the Cities
Starting in Charlton, MA
Full guide →Founded 1735
Charlton is a small town in Central Massachusetts located outside of Worcester. Charlton is primarily a bedroom community, though there are a number of businesses in the center of town and especially along the Route 20 corridor.
Top landmarks
- • Northside Village Historic District — Charlton, MA, listed on the NRHP in Massachusetts
- • Rider Tavern — historic tavern in Charlton, Massachusetts
- • Charlton Center Historic District — historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Arriving in Plymouth, MA
Full guide →Founded 1620
Plymouth is on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is most famous for being the final landing place of the Pilgrims who arrived on board the Mayflower in 1620, after storms lead them away from their desired settlement, the Hudson River. The settlement they established, Plimoth Colony, was one of the earliest successful settlements of Europeans in North America. In addition to its obvious historical draws, modern-day Plymouth is a picturesque seaside town with a bustling summer resident population who come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, ponds, and forests. Although summer is Plymouth's peak tourist season, spring (before Memorial Day) and fall (after Labor Day) can be excellent times to visit. These bumper seasons are less crowded and certainly more comfortable temperature-wise.
Top landmarks
- • Plymouth Rock — Historical important rock in Ply-mouth, Massachusetts, USA
- • Plimoth Patuxet — museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
- • Mayflower II — replica of the 17th-century ship Mayflower
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 47m. Total distance: 85.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.5 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 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 Plymouth, 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 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plymouth, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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