Haverhill to Carver is 81.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 48 minutes via MA 3 and I-93, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Massachusetts, moving south through the Northeast region. Given that the drive is mostly highway, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. With an estimated fuel cost of only $13, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Haverhill, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
28.2 mi
35m
I 93
19.6 mi
23m
I 495
9.7 mi
11m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
South Meadow Road
4.8 mi
8m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3 mi
4m
Interstate 93 HOV lane
2.5 mi
3m
River Street
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 28.2 mi, about 35m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 378 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,600 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,451
Quietest
2 AM
~442 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Haverhill, MA and Carver, MA.
1
Start on MA 125
442 ft·14 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto MA 113
0.3 mi·33 sec·Merrimack Street
3
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
0.2 mi·19 sec·Washington Street
4
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
218 ft·5 sec·Washington Street
5
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
2.1 mi·3 min·River Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 495 South: Lawrence
7
Merge onto I 495
9.7 mi·11 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 97AToward I 93 South: BostonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 93
20 mi·23 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate 93 HOV lane
Use the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Interstate 93 HOV lane
12
Merge onto I 93; US 1
3.0 mi·4 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi·10 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
28 mi·35 min·MA 3
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape CodUse the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 15BToward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
16
Turn straight onto Samoset Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Samoset Street
17
Turn slight left onto Seven Hills Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Seven Hills Road
18
Turn straight onto Federal Furnace Road
425 ft·14 sec·Federal Furnace Road
19
Turn right onto South Meadow Road
4.8 mi·8 min·South Meadow Road
20
Turn left
200 ft·14 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of under two hours, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of the day remaining. Since the longest continuous stretch on a highway is 28.2 miles, you won't need to worry about lengthy periods without services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your destination, as the estimated fuel cost is just $13 for the entire 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.7 miles from Haverhill, MA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 52m 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 Carver, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Haverhill, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Haverhill, MA
This is one driving day of about 81.4 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Haverhill, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 28.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 74.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
12.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 93 South: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 97A
Toward I 93 South: Boston
6
32.7 mi into trip|~41m in|I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
46.2 mi into trip|~59m in|MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15B
Toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.44 one way
$28.87 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.70
$31.39
premium
$5.29
$16.96
$33.91
diesel
$5.35
$17.15
$34.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.55
$3.91
Efficient EV
20.4
0
$7.12
$3.26
EV Truck/SUV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Haverhill, MA
Afternoon
in Haverhill on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 6 to 14 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Carver, MA
Afternoon
in Carver on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 6 mph31% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Milton, MA
41 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
2 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 48m 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.
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 42.1
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 25.2
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 28.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 87% of the route utilizing major roads like MA 3 and I-93. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 28.2 miles on MA 3 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits, typical of a busy interstate system as you make your way south.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.2 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 3 and I 93. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 495.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.1 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Carver is a town of 12,000 (2020) in the South Shore of Massachusetts. Carver once produced more cranberries than any other town in the world and still has extensive cranberry farming.
Plympton is a small town of 3,000 (2020).
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 81.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.2 miles on MA 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Carver, 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 3.1 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles (I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (6 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 Carver, MA before heading back.
