Traveling from Fall River to Northfield covers 115.8 miles of Massachusetts landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 41 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via major thoroughfares including the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge, I-190, and MA 2. Budgeting roughly $18 for fuel should cover your transit costs for this trip. The drive transitions from the coastal environment of Fall River into the inland regions of the state, offering a straightforward passage that serves as a practical link between these two points.
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
57.9 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
25.5 mi
35m
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
— 25.5 mi, about 35m
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 Northfield, 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
25 mi·35 min·MA 2
40
Turn right onto North Street
2.4 mi·4 min·North Street
41
Continue on Gulf Road
4.3 mi·7 min·Gulf Road
42
Continue on Maple Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Maple Street
43
At end of road, turn right onto MA 10; MA 63
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
44
Turn right onto School Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·School Street
45
Arrive at destination
School Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip efficient and comfortable. When preparing for the road, check your fuel levels early; with an estimated $18 cost, it is wise to fill up before hitting the highway to maintain your momentum. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from I-190 onto MA 2, as this junction represents the most significant change in your route's flow. Taking a short break after your first hour of driving will help you stay sharp for the winding segments of the trip.
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 57.9 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.5 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 13m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northfield, 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 115.8 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 25.5 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 23
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
$20.54 one way
$41.08 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$22.33
$44.66
premium
$5.29
$24.12
$48.24
diesel
$5.35
$24.39
$48.78
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: 40.5 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
34.7
0
$12.16
$5.56
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.13
$4.63
EV Truck/SUV
46.3
0
$16.21
$7.41
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 1, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Afternoon
in Fall River on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Northfield, MA
Afternoon
in Northfield on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph9% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Worcester, MA
58 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
6 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 41m 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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 99.8
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 67.9
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
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 71.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing high-speed transit with more localized road segments. Approximately 42% of your journey will be spent on highways, meaning you will experience both open stretches and slower traffic patterns. As you make your way toward your destination, you will encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.5 miles while navigating MA 2. The experience shifts from the urban connectivity of the bridge and interstate sections to the more contained feel of state routes. Expect a varied pace as the road transitions from major highway arteries to the secondary thoroughfares that define the latter half of your trek.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.5 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 23 significant decision points across 115.8 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
1,111 ft34 ft
Total Climb
1,101 ft
Total Descent
926 ft
Highest Point
1,111 ft
~82.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,077 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 Northfield, 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
This 115.8-mile drive is totally doable as a same-day round trip, clocking in at under 3 hours of driving. Just be ready for the 10/10 complexity rating, which means you'll need to pay attention to navigation.
Family Friendly
While this 115.8-mile drive is short enough for kids, the 10/10 complexity rating might be a bit much for a relaxed family outing. You'll need to be extra vigilant with directions on this route.
Solo Traveler
With a comfortable 2h 41m drive time and a mix of highway and surface roads, this route offers an engaging solo journey. The 10/10 complexity means you'll stay alert, and the gently rolling terrain is pleasant for a solo adventure.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
This route offers a nice mix of highway (42%) and local roads, perfect for a scenic drive, especially with national parks nearby. The gently rolling terrain adds to the visual appeal over the 115.8 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.5 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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, MA before heading back.
