Haverhill to Chatham is 123.3 miles and takes about 2h 44m via MA 3 and I-93, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, moving from the Northeast region to its eastern edge. It's a manageable drive that's well-suited for a single day, offering a straightforward path to the Cape. The mix of highway and surface roads means you'll experience varied driving conditions on your way to your destination.
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
61.6 miles from Haverhill, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
30.9 mi
39m
Mid Cape Highway
26.6 mi
36m
I 93
19.6 mi
23m
Pilgrims Highway
12 mi
15m
I 495
9.7 mi
11m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
Queen Anne Road
3 mi
5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
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 Chatham, 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
31 mi·39 min·MA 3
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape CodUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi·15 min·Pilgrims Highway
16
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi·19 sec·Pilgrim Highway
17
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·45 sec·Sagamore Bridge
18
Continue on US 6
27 mi·36 min·Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 82Toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
20
Keep slight right at fork
191 ft·6 sec
Toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
21
Turn straight onto MA 124
363 ft·15 sec·Pleasant Lake Avenue
22
Turn left onto Queen Anne Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Queen Anne Road
23
Enter roundabout onto Queen Anne Road
102 ft·1 sec·Queen Anne Road
24
Continue on Queen Anne Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Queen Anne Road
25
Continue on Old Queen Anne Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Old Queen Anne Road
26
Continue on Old Queen Anne Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Queen Anne Road
27
Turn left onto MA 28
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
28
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
90 ft·2 sec·Main Street
29
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
30
Turn right
72 ft·5 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This 123.3-mile drive is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of any commuter traffic out of the Haverhill area. With a total duration of under 3 hours, you might only need one brief stop for gas or a quick break. The fuel cost estimate of $22 suggests you won't need to worry about extensive refueling. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, particularly in the final miles leading to Chatham, as the pace will naturally slow.
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 61.6 miles from Haverhill, MA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chatham, 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.
+
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 Haverhill, MA
This is one driving day of about 123.3 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Haverhill, 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 3 for about 30.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 116.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
116.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 82
Toward MA 124: Harwich, Brewster
7
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 124 South: Harwich, Harwich Port
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.87 one way
$43.74 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$23.78
$47.55
premium
$5.29
$25.68
$51.37
diesel
$5.35
$25.97
$51.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37
0
$12.95
$5.92
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.79
$4.93
EV Truck/SUV
49.3
0
$17.26
$7.89
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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, 2026
Origin
Haverhill, MA
Afternoon
in Haverhill on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 3 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chatham, MA
Afternoon
in Chatham on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 5 mph37% 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
5 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 44m 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.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
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...
. . . 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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 42.5
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 12.8
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 25.5
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 25.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this route is highway, so expect stretches of higher-speed travel. The longest continuous highway segment is 30.9 miles on MA 3. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination, so keep an eye out for more frequent exits and slower traffic. This change in road type is a noticeable shift as you get closer to Chatham.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 12.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 123.3 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 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; at 46.2 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
143 ft6 ft
Total Climb
275 ft
Total Descent
312 ft
Highest Point
143 ft
~52.8 mi in
Elevation Range
137 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Haverhill, MA and Chatham, MA, road signs point toward Brewster and Harwich Port.
Brewster
116.3 mi in|~2h 31m
Harwich Port
116.5 mi in|~2h 32m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Chatham is at the "elbow" of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and includes the villages of North Chatham, South Chatham and West Chatham. Its beautiful beaches, harbors, coastal scenes and its interesting village shops make it a popular day-trip destination as well as a top-notch vacation area.
In 2007 Chatham was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
Top landmarks
•Chatham Light — lighthouse in Massachusetts, United States
•Brick Block — commercial building in Chatham, Massachusetts, United States
•Chatham station — railway station in Chatham, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 123.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m 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 30.9 miles on MA 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Chatham, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 46.2 miles (MA 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Adams 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 Chatham, MA before heading back.
