Fall River to Montague is 118 miles and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes via MA 2 and I 190, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Northeast region, entirely within Massachusetts. Expect a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising as you make your way north. It's a manageable drive, suitable for a single day, so you won't feel rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two points without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
31 mi
44m
Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge
14.6 mi
18m
I 190
8.4 mi
9m
Providence Pike
7.7 mi
8m
Eddie Dowling Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Worcester Providence Road
7 mi
9m
North Smithfield Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
Redemption Rock Trail
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 31 mi, about 44m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 74 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,668 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,410
Quietest
2 AM
~406 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 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 Montague, 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·21 sec·Bedford Street
4
Turn left onto Milliken Boulevard
0.2 mi·38 sec·Milliken Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Milken Boulevard Connector
211 ft·4 sec·Milken Boulevard Connector
Toward I 195: New Bedford, Providence RI
6
Take the ramp
388 ft·11 sec
Toward I 195: New Bedford, Providence RI
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 195 West: Providence RI
8
Merge onto I 195
15 mi·18 min·Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 195; US 1A; US 6; US 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Iway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston MassachusettsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
0.1 mi·12 sec·I 95
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 38A-BToward RI 146 North: State OfficesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on RI 146
3.0 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
Exit 38AToward RI 146 North: WoonsocketUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on RI 146
4.7 mi·5 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146
2.8 mi·2 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·17 sec·Purple Heart Highway
19
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
20
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·18 sec·Purple Heart Highway
21
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·9 min·Worcester Providence Road
22
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
23
Continue on MA 146
2.1 mi·3 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
24
Continue on MA 122A; MA 146
2.2 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Highway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 13Toward I 290 East: Shrewsbury, Marlboro
26
Merge onto I 290
2.7 mi·4 min·I 290
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 19; 20Toward I 190 North, MA 70: Sterling, Leominster, Burncoat Street, Lincoln Street
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 22Toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
29
Continue on I 190
8.4 mi·9 min·I 190
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 9Toward MA 140: West Boylston, Princeton
31
Turn left onto MA 140
4.8 mi·7 min·Redemption Rock Trail
32
Continue on MA 140
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
33
Enter roundabout onto MA 31; MA 140
34 ft·0 sec·Redemption Rock Trail North
34
Continue on MA 31; MA 140
2.9 mi·5 min·Redemption Rock Trail North
35
Continue on MA 140
2.1 mi·4 min·Worcester Road
36
Continue on MA 140
0.7 mi·1 min·Hager Park Road
37
Continue on MA 2A; MA 140
0.2 mi·26 sec·State Road East
38
Take the ramp onto MA 140
3.0 mi·4 min·MA 140
39
Continue on MA 2
31 mi·44 min·MA 2
40
Turn slight left onto Prospect Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Prospect Street
41
At end of road, turn left onto MA 63
0.2 mi·19 sec·Lester Street
42
Continue on MA 63
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
43
Turn right onto MA 63
378 ft·17 sec·West Main Street
44
Turn left onto MA 63
2.6 mi·4 min·Federal Street
45
Turn right onto Swamp Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Swamp Road
46
Turn left onto Turners Falls Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Turners Falls Road
47
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·Main Street
48
Arrive at destination
Center Street
Trip Plan
For this 118-mile drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. Since it's under 3 hours, you can easily complete it in one day, giving you flexibility. You'll encounter one designated stop on the route, but with the short duration, you might not need a long break. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $21, and it's wise to refuel before hitting longer stretches, particularly the 31 miles on MA 2, if you're starting with a low 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montague, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fall River, MA
This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fall River, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MA 2 for about 31 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 58.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Milken Boulevard Connector
Turn right onto Milken Boulevard Connector toward I 195: New Bedford, Providence RI
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 195: New Bedford, Providence RI
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 West: Providence RI
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 195 West: Providence RI
8
16.3 mi into trip|~21m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachuse...
8
17.5 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward RI 146 North: State Offices
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38A-B
Toward RI 146 North: State Offices
7
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 22
Toward I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.93 one way
$41.86 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$22.75
$45.51
premium
$5.29
$24.58
$49.16
diesel
$5.35
$24.85
$49.71
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
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
$21
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 3, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Afternoon
in Fall River on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Montague, MA
Afternoon
in Montague on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
N 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Worcester, MA
59 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
5 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
2h 45m 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.
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...
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 118
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 46% of this route uses highways, with the longest continuous stretch on highways being 31 miles along MA 2. You'll experience a transition from more developed areas around the start to potentially more open driving as you progress. The mix means you'll encounter both faster-paced highway sections and slower, more local road driving. Be prepared for varying traffic patterns as you move between these environments.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31 mi on MA 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 0.4 miles in near Milken Boulevard Connector.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 118 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Milken Boulevard Connector): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 16.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,164 ft30 ft
Total Climb
1,166 ft
Total Descent
1,053 ft
Highest Point
1,164 ft
~92.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,134 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fall River, MA and Montague, MA, road signs point toward Marlboro, Leominster and Princeton.
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
Montague is a town in Franklin County, in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. This article also covers the villages of Millers Falls and Turners Falls.
Top landmarks
•Bookmill — bookstore in Massachusetts, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 118 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). 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 31 miles on MA 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 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.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Montague, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Milken Boulevard Connector): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 16.3 miles (US 6): 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 (5 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 Montague, MA before heading back.
