Fall River, MA to Sterling, MA is 70.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge and I 190, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Massachusetts. Expect a fairly turn-heavy local drive, so it's not a route for setting speed records, but it's manageable for a single day. The total trip is relatively short, making it a good option when you don't have a full weekend to dedicate to the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.2 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
Purple Heart Highway
3.7 mi
5m
Old Louisquisset Pike
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge
— 14.6 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fall River, MA and Sterling, 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
0.4 mi·33 sec·Redemption Rock Trail
32
Turn right onto Dana Hill Road
0.5 mi·58 sec·Dana Hill Road
33
Continue on Muddy Pond Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Muddy Pond Road
34
Continue on Greenland Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Greenland Road
35
Turn straight onto MA 12
1.1 mi·1 min·Worcester Road
36
Continue on MA 12; MA 62
0.1 mi·23 sec·Main Street
37
Turn left onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
55 ft·1 sec·Meetinghouse Hill Road
38
Arrive at destination
Meetinghouse Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 31 minute duration and 70.5 mile distance, this trip is easily completed in one day. Aim to depart Fall River in the morning to take advantage of lighter local traffic. While there are no designated stops in the data, you'll want to factor in brief breaks as needed, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $11, so a full tank before you leave Fall River should be sufficient, but it's always wise to check your gauge before heading out on any drive.
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 35.2 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.6 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.2 miles or 43m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, 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 70.5 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Fall River, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge for about 14.6 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 20
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
$11.28 one way
$22.57 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.30
$24.61
premium
$4.82
$13.39
$26.77
diesel
$5.61
$15.57
$31.13
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
$11
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.2
0
$7.40
$3.38
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.17
$2.82
EV Truck/SUV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fall River, MA
Late night
in Fall River on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Sterling, MA
Late night
in Sterling on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
Road read
1h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 70.5
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 70.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With a highway share of 29%, this drive is more about navigating local roads than cruising on interstates. You'll experience a turn-heavy local drive profile, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 14.6 miles on the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge, after which the roads will likely become more varied. Be prepared for a less predictable pace compared to a pure highway journey, as you'll be sharing the road with local traffic and traffic signals.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.6 mi on Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 70.5 miles you will encounter 20 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.
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 Sterling, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.6 miles on Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge. 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.
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 Sterling, 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 Minute Man 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 Sterling, MA before heading back.
