Connecting Freetown to Springfield is a straightforward 110.3-mile trek across Massachusetts that typically takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via a combination of I-195, the Providence Pike, and the Massachusetts Turnpike. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it is an affordable journey for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this route provides a reliable link between the southeastern region and the Pioneer Valley.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.1 miles from Freetown, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
42.3 mi
48m
I 195
10.7 mi
13m
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
Veterans Memorial Bridge
3.8 mi
6m
Amvets Highway
3.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freetown, MA and Springfield, MA.
1
Start on this road
272 ft·24 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Slab Bridge Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Slab Bridge Road
3
Continue on Elm Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·Elm Street
4
Continue on MA 79
0.1 mi·16 sec·Mill Street
5
Turn left onto MA 79
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Take the ramp onto MA 79
0.3 mi·33 sec·MA 79
Toward MA 24 South, MA 79 South: Fall River, Newport, Rhode Island
7
Merge onto MA 24; MA 79
3.3 mi·3 min·Amvets Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79
2.0 mi·2 min·Western Fall River Expressway
Exit 7Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
10
Merge onto US 6; MA 138
3.8 mi·6 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 195 West: Providence Rhode Island
12
Merge onto I 195
11 mi·13 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
0.1 mi·12 sec·I 95
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 38A-BToward RI 146 North: State OfficesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on RI 146
3.0 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
Exit 38AToward RI 146 North: WoonsocketUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on RI 146
4.7 mi·5 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146
2.8 mi·2 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·17 sec·Purple Heart Highway
22
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
23
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·18 sec·Purple Heart Highway
24
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·9 min·Worcester Providence Road
25
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
26
Continue on MA 146
1.8 mi·2 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90, US 20: Boston, Springfield
28
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
30
Merge onto I 90
15 mi·17 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
28 mi·31 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·55 sec
Exit 51Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
33
Keep slight right at fork
348 ft·9 sec
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
35
Continue on I 291
2.6 mi·3 min·Springfield Expressway
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 4Toward Chicopee Falls
37
Turn left onto Page Boulevard
384 ft·13 sec·Page Boulevard
38
Turn slight left onto Saint James Avenue
0.2 mi·15 sec·Saint James Avenue
39
Enter roundabout onto Saint James Avenue
101 ft·2 sec·Saint James Avenue
40
Continue on Saint James Avenue
428 ft·8 sec·Saint James Avenue
41
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
42
Continue on Saint James Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Saint James Avenue
43
Turn right onto State Street
0.9 mi·1 min·State Street
44
Turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
45
Turn left onto Court Street
234 ft·22 sec·Court Street
46
Turn right onto City Hall Place
166 ft·7 sec·City Hall Place
47
Arrive at destination
City Hall Place
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While no mandatory stops are required to complete the 110.3-mile distance, consider checking your fuel levels before merging onto the Massachusetts Turnpike to ensure a smooth, continuous run. Keep in mind that the route's 60% highway share means you should be prepared for varying traffic volumes, especially during peak commuting hours. Given the $18 fuel estimate, it is easy to budget for a quick round trip if you are heading back the same day. Aim to depart outside of typical rush hour windows to keep your travel time closer to the 2-hour and 24-minute mark.
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 55.1 miles from Freetown, MA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 24 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 14m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Freetown, 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 Freetown, MA
This is one driving day of about 110.3 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Freetown, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 42.3 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 34.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.3 mi into trip|~13m in|MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
8
24.8 mi into trip|~38m 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...
6
24.9 mi into trip|~38m in|US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachuse...
8
26 mi into trip|~40m 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
6
34.4 mi into trip|~49m in|RI 146 / Eddie Dowling Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146 / Eddie Dowling Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.65 one way
$35.30 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$19.25
$38.50
premium
$4.82
$20.94
$41.89
diesel
$5.61
$24.35
$48.71
Estimated Tolls: $2.66
Massachusetts Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.53
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(1.8 mi)$0.13
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
$18
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.29
Efficient EV
27.6
0
$9.65
$4.41
EV Truck/SUV
44.1
0
$15.44
$7.06
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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, 2022
Origin
Freetown, MA
Late night
in Freetown on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, MA
Late night
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 24m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 102.7
"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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 60.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that balances suburban transitions with high-speed transit. Approximately 60% of your journey will be spent on major highways, offering a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Massachusetts Turnpike, which spans 42.3 miles of the route. While the highway segments allow for efficient travel, the variety of roads keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will experience a blend of different road types as you transition between the primary arteries connecting these two Massachusetts hubs.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
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 7.3 miles in near MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway.
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 30 significant decision points across 110.3 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 7.3 miles (MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
773 ft30 ft
Total Climb
876 ft
Total Descent
963 ft
Highest Point
773 ft
~86.6 mi in
Elevation Range
743 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Freetown, MA and Springfield, MA, road signs point toward Somerset and Hartford Connecticut.
Somerset
7.3 mi in|~13m|via MA 79
Hartford Connecticut
104.5 mi in|~2h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 110.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.66 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts 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 Springfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail and New Bedford Whaling 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 Springfield, MA before heading back.
