Haverhill to Pittsfield is 157.7 miles and takes about 3h 18m via Massachusetts Turnpike and I-495, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mostly highway experience for the majority of your travel time. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is a straightforward option for getting between these two points efficiently. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
78.9 miles from Haverhill, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
79.3 mi
1h 31m
I 495
40.1 mi
46m
I 290
19.6 mi
24m
South Street
2.9 mi
6m
Pittsfield Road
2.5 mi
4m
Veterans Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
2m
River Street
2.1 mi
3m
Laurel Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 145 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,361 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~304 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.3×
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 Pittsfield, 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
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward US 20: Lee, Pittsfield
23
Keep slight right at fork
376 ft·9 sec
24
Merge onto US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·Housatonic Street
25
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·18 sec·Park Street
26
Turn slight right onto US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
27
Turn left onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·West Center Street
28
Continue on US 20
1.2 mi·2 min·Laurel Street
29
Continue on US 20
1.2 mi·2 min·Lee Road
30
Continue on US 7; US 20
2.2 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
31
Continue on US 7; US 20
2.5 mi·4 min·Pittsfield Road
32
Continue on US 7; US 20
2.9 mi·6 min·South Street
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·Bank Row
34
Continue on US 7; MA 9
0.4 mi·1 min·East Street
35
Turn left onto Fourth Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·Fourth Street
36
Turn left onto Lanckton Court
220 ft·7 sec·Lanckton Court
37
Arrive at destination
Lanckton Court
Trip Plan
For this 3h 18m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic in the Boston metro area. Since it's a relatively short trip at 157.7 miles, you can easily complete it in a single day. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break around the halfway point or whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches on the Massachusetts Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is around $28, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.9 miles from Haverhill, MA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsfield, 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 157.7 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 79.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 145.1 — 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
145.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 20: Lee, Pittsfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward US 20: Lee, Pittsfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.97 one way
$55.94 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$30.41
$60.82
premium
$5.29
$32.85
$65.70
diesel
$5.35
$33.22
$66.43
Estimated Tolls: $4.75
Massachusetts Turnpike
(79.3 mi)$4.75
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
$28
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.08
$10.09
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Haverhill, MA
Afternoon
in Haverhill on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pittsfield, MA
Afternoon
in Pittsfield on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph0% 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
8 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
3h 18m 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...
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 103.4
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 27.2
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 10.9
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 16.3
. . . 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 16.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 88% of this 157.7-mile drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.3 miles, which occurs on the Massachusetts Turnpike. After that, expect more frequent exits and potentially a change to surface roads. Given the high highway percentage, anticipate straightforward cruising for most of the trip, with some merging and exit traffic to manage as you approach your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. 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
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 24 significant decision points across 157.7 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 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,683 ft49 ft
Total Climb
2,166 ft
Total Descent
1,221 ft
Highest Point
1,683 ft
~135.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,634 ft
Notable High Points
1,683 ft at ~135.2 miles+678 ft prominence
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 Pittsfield, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua New Hampshire along the way.
Nashua New Hampshire
19.8 mi in|~24m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Wander Berkshires
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Tu-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 09...
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 157.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.75 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 10 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 Pittsfield, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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, New England National Scenic Trail and Minute Man National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsfield, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
