Fall River, MA to Shirley, MA is 82.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 46 minutes via I 190 and Providence Pike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, moving from the Southeast region towards the Northeast. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface street driving as you make your way north. Given the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. Consider this route if you need a practical way to connect these two points in the Bay State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 190
18.1 mi
20m
Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge
14.6 mi
18m
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
Purple Heart Highway
3.7 mi
5m
Old Louisquisset Pike
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 190
— 18.1 mi, about 20m
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 Shirley, 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
18 mi·20 min·I 190
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 19BToward MA 2 East: Boston
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
32
Merge onto Leominster Connector
0.1 mi·15 sec·Leominster Connector
33
Merge onto MA 2
2.7 mi·3 min·Concord Turnpike
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 105Toward Shirley
35
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
36
Turn straight onto Shirley Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Shirley Road
37
Continue on Lancaster Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Lancaster Road
38
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Main Street
39
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Front Street
40
Turn right onto Porter Street
314 ft·19 sec·Porter Street
41
Turn left onto Chapel Street
75 ft·3 sec·Chapel Street
42
Arrive at destination
Chapel Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour 46 minute drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid the worst of any local traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With only 82.6 miles, you won't need many extended stops, but there are opportunities to refuel or take breaks along the way. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 18.1 miles on I 190, so plan any quick breaks before or after this segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical trip. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility in when you depart and how often you pull over.
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 41.3 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.1 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 50m 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 Shirley, 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 82.6 miles and 1h 46m.
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 I 190 for about 18.1 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
$14.65 one way
$29.30 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.93
$31.86
premium
$5.29
$17.21
$34.41
diesel
$5.35
$17.40
$34.80
Estimated Tolls: $0.34
Concord Turnpike
(2.7 mi)$0.19
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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.56
$5.29
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Evening
in Fall River on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 to 13 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shirley, MA
Evening
in Shirley on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 mph1% 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
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
1h 46m 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...
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 82.6
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 82.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 39% of this 82.6-mile trip on highways, primarily I 190. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 18.1 miles along I 190. The remaining portion of the drive will be on surface roads like Providence Pike. Be prepared for the transition from faster highway speeds to potentially more stop-and-go traffic as you navigate through towns and city areas.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.1 mi on I 190.
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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.6 miles you will encounter 25 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 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
Mostly flat terrain
642 ft13 ft
Total Climb
652 ft
Total Descent
492 ft
Highest Point
642 ft
~70.8 mi in
Elevation Range
629 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 Shirley, MA, road signs point toward Marlboro and Leominster.
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
Shirley is a city in Merrimack Valley with a population of 7,000 (2020). The town was named for former Governor William Shirley, and was settled in 1720 and incorporated in 1775.
Ayer is a town with a population of 8,000 (2020).
Littleton is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 10,000 (2020).
Top landmarks
•Shirley Center Historic District — historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 82.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). 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 18.1 miles on I 190. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.34 in tolls one way, starting with Concord 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 8 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 Shirley, 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 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 Lowell National Historical Park (4 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 Shirley, MA before heading back.
