Fall River, MA to Ipswich, MA is 80.6 miles and takes about 1h 49m via Amvets Highway and US 1, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface street driving as you make your way north. It's a manageable distance for a single day, offering a straightforward route for getting between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
32.8 mi
37m
US 1
12.9 mi
18m
I 93
11.5 mi
15m
Davol Street
4 mi
5m
Topsfield Road
3.7 mi
7m
I 95
3.3 mi
3m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
Boston Street
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 32.8 mi, about 37m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 157 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,440 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,837
Quietest
2 AM
~528 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Fall River, MA and Ipswich, MA.
1
Start on Purchase Street
46 ft·5 sec·Purchase Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
179 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto Bedford Street
519 ft·17 sec·Bedford Street
4
Continue on Central Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Central Street
5
Turn right onto MA 79; MA 138
4.0 mi·5 min·Davol Street
6
Merge onto MA 24; MA 79
33 mi·37 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 41AToward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 93; US 1
12 mi·15 min·I 93; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
13 mi·18 min·US 1
Exit 19Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, RevereUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Newbury Street
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
13
Merge onto I 95
3.3 mi·3 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 70Toward US 1: Topsfield
15
Turn straight onto US 1
0.6 mi·1 min·Newbury Street
16
Continue on US 1
2.8 mi·4 min·Boston Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 1
0.6 mi·52 sec·Boston Road
18
Continue on US 1
503 ft·17 sec·Boston Street
19
Turn right onto Ipswich Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Ipswich Road
20
Continue on Topsfield Road
3.7 mi·7 min·Topsfield Road
21
Turn straight onto Depot Square
390 ft·24 sec·Depot Square
22
Turn left onto Washington Street
98 ft·4 sec·Washington Street
23
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of under two hours, this is a very flexible trip. You can easily depart any time of day and complete it before sunset. Since the drive is relatively short, you might only need one quick stop for fuel or a restroom break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $13; it's wise to fill up before you leave Fall River to ensure you have plenty. The transition from highway to surface roads around the halfway point is where you'll want to be most attentive to navigation.
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 40.3 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 48m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ipswich, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fall River, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fall River, MA
This is one driving day of about 80.6 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Fall River, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Amvets Highway for about 32.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 52.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
4.4 mi into trip|~6m in|MA 24; MA 79 / Amvets Highway
Merge onto MA 24; MA 79 / Amvets Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
37.2 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
5
37.6 mi into trip|~45m in|I 93; US 1
Merge onto I 93; US 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
52.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 19
Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.30 one way
$28.59 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.54
$31.08
premium
$5.29
$16.79
$33.58
diesel
$5.35
$16.98
$33.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.05
$3.22
EV Truck/SUV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Evening
in Fall River on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ipswich, MA
Evening
in Ipswich on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 6 mph18% 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
4 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 49m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$15
near mile 41.7
Park Closure: In-park transportation via the park trolley is currently unavailable.
Park Closure: Visitor Center and Historic Homes Closed Mondays and Tuesday Starting May 1
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 66.7
. . . 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 47.3
"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 5.6
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 38% of this 80.6-mile drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 32.8 miles on Amvets Highway. You'll experience a shift from highway speeds to more stop-and-go traffic as you transition between major roads and local streets. Expect frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you navigate through populated areas.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.8 mi on Amvets Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (MA 24; MA 79 / Amvets Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
199 ft12 ft
Total Climb
289 ft
Total Descent
384 ft
Highest Point
199 ft
~34.5 mi in
Elevation Range
188 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 Fall River, MA to Ipswich, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Revere along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Massachusetts — 1941 South Dakota-class battleship
•USS Lionfish — 1943 Balao-class submarine
•USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. — 1945 Gearing-class destroyer
Ipswich is a seaside town of 14,000 people (2020) in Massachusetts. Home to Willowdale State Forest and Sandy Point State Reservation, Ipswich includes the southern part of Plum Island. A residential community with a vibrant tourism industry, the town is famous for its clams, celebrated annually at the Ipswich Chowderfest, and for Crane Beach, a barrier beach near the Crane estate.
Rowley is a town of 6,000 (2020).
Top landmarks
•Castle Hill — drumlin with mansion in Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
•John Whipple House — historic house in Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States
•Benjamin Grant House — historic house in Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 80.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). 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 32.8 miles on Amvets Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Ipswich, 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 Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (MA 24; MA 79 / Amvets Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston 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 Ipswich, MA before heading back.
