Haverhill to Palmer is 95 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via I-495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and high highway percentage, it's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single-day excursion. Expect a practical, efficient transit rather than a winding scenic tour. Plan for a direct route with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.5 miles from Haverhill, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
40.1 mi
46m
Massachusetts Turnpike
27.4 mi
31m
I 290
19.6 mi
24m
River Street
2.1 mi
3m
Thorndike Street
0.7 mi
1m
Merrimack Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Washington Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Park Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 40.1 mi, about 46m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 290 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,378 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,045
Quietest
2 AM
~309 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Palmer, 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
17 mi·19 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 89C-B-AToward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
12
Merge onto I 495
23 mi·27 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 65BToward I 290 West: Worcester
14
Merge onto I 290
20 mi·24 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 12BToward MA 12 South: Webster
16
Turn left onto Oxford Street
466 ft·10 sec·Oxford Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto MA 12
446 ft·9 sec·Southbridge Street
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
20
Merge onto I 90
11 mi·12 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
16 mi·18 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 63Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
23
Turn right onto MA 32
0.7 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto US 20; MA 32
0.2 mi·13 sec·Park Street
25
Turn right onto Walnut Street
341 ft·17 sec·Walnut Street
26
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
455 ft·19 sec·Pleasant Street
27
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
For this 95-mile drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Since the total travel time is under two hours, you won't need extensive stops, but a quick break around the halfway point might be comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $16, and gas stations are readily available along the interstates. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart on your schedule and still arrive with plenty of time.
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 47.5 miles from Haverhill, MA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.1 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.5 miles or 57m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmer, 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 95 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Haverhill, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 40.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 93.2 — 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.
8
19.8 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 89C-B-A
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
7
20 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
93.2 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.85 one way
$31.69 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$17.45
$34.90
premium
$5.06
$18.91
$37.83
diesel
$5.60
$20.94
$41.88
Estimated Tolls: $1.64
Massachusetts Turnpike
(27.4 mi)$1.64
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
$16
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
Efficient EV
23.8
0
$8.31
$3.80
EV Truck/SUV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Haverhill, MA
Late night
in Haverhill on Wednesday
Local time
1:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Drizzle
NE 1 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Palmer, MA
Late night
in Palmer on Wednesday
Local time
1:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Drizzle
E 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Worcester, MA
48 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 57m 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.
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 26.2
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...
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 9.8
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.
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 16.4
. . . 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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 16.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the drive on major roads like I-495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 40.1 miles on I-495 before transitioning to other interstates. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits as you navigate these primary corridors. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive as you approach Palmer.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.1 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Massachusetts Turnpike. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95 miles you will encounter 22 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 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
697 ft49 ft
Total Climb
756 ft
Total Descent
459 ft
Highest Point
697 ft
~74.6 mi in
Elevation Range
648 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Haverhill, MA to Palmer, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua New Hampshire along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 95 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.1 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.64 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.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Palmer, 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 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (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 Palmer, MA before heading back.
