Fall River, MA to Methuen, MA is 79 miles and takes about 1h 38m via I 93 and Amvets Highway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route is a mix of highway cruising and surface street driving, making it a straightforward option for a local trip. With a relatively short duration and moderate fuel cost, it's an accessible drive for most vehicles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 93
36.2 mi
45m
Amvets Highway
32.8 mi
37m
Davol Street
4 mi
5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
Lowell Street
1.8 mi
2m
Central Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Bedford Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 93
— 36.2 mi, about 45m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 447 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,484 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,372
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
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 Methuen, 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 right at fork onto I 93
25 mi·29 min·I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord NHUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 43AToward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: LawrenceUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn slight right onto MA 110; MA 113
0.2 mi·24 sec·Lowell Street
13
Turn left onto MA 113
1.6 mi·2 min·Lowell Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn slight right onto Osgood Street
76 ft·1 sec·Osgood Street
15
Arrive at destination
Osgood Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive is under two hours, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving in the morning should allow you to avoid the worst traffic, especially as you approach Methuen. You won't need to split this trip, but keep in mind that the 79 miles include both highway and surface roads, so pay attention to speed limit changes. The estimated fuel cost of $13 suggests you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 39.5 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 47m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Methuen, 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 79 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Fall River, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 93 for about 36.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77 — 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
7
52.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 93 North: Concord NH
8
77 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: Lawrence
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 43A
Toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: Lawrence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.01 one way
$28.02 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.23
$30.47
premium
$5.29
$16.46
$32.91
diesel
$5.35
$16.64
$33.28
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: 27.6 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
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.91
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.06
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 May 9, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Evening
in Fall River on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 to 15 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Methuen, MA
Evening
in Methuen on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Rain Showers
SE 5 mph84% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Milton, MA
40 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 38m 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.
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.
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...
. . . 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 46.3
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 76.3
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 62.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About half of this 79-mile route is on highways, specifically I 93. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I 93 for 36.2 miles. After the highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads like Amvets Highway and Davol Street. Expect to navigate more exits and potentially slower speeds as you move between highway segments and local roads.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.2 mi on I 93.
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 79 miles you will encounter 9 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). 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 36.2 miles on I 93. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Methuen, 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 — Boston National Historical Park, Adams National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (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 Methuen, MA before heading back.
