Connecting Ludlow to Haverhill covers 105.1 miles through the heart of Massachusetts. You can comfortably complete this journey in about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Since the route avoids highways entirely, you should budget approximately $17 for fuel. Expect a steady, turn-heavy drive that relies on local roads rather than major interstates. Because both towns are located within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar New England setting throughout the entire duration of your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.5 miles from Ludlow, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
50.8 mi
58m
I 495
48.4 mi
56m
River Street
1.9 mi
2m
Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Washington Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Sewall Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Bailey Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Oak Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 50.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, MA and Haverhill, MA.
1
Start on this road
130 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
181 ft·14 sec
3
Turn right
73 ft·11 sec
4
Turn left onto Walnut Street
285 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
5
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·Oak Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Howard Street
7
Turn right onto Sewall Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Sewall Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21
0.3 mi·49 sec·Center Street
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
51 mi·58 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 106Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, TauntonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NHUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 495
48 mi·56 min·I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 107Toward MA 110, MA 113: River StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·4 sec
Toward MA 110 East, MA 113 East: River Street
18
Turn straight onto MA 110; MA 113
1.9 mi·2 min·River Street
19
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
0.3 mi·29 sec·Washington Street
20
Turn left onto MA 110
0.1 mi·16 sec·Emerson Street
21
Turn right onto Bailey Boulevard
0.3 mi·33 sec·Bailey Boulevard
22
Turn right onto MA 125
92 ft·2 sec·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
MA 125
Trip Plan
Since this is a non-stop, 1 hour and 46-minute drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because the route consists entirely of local roads, you should factor in extra time for potential traffic signals or slower speed zones compared to a highway route. Keep your $17 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as you will be navigating surface streets rather than gas-heavy interstates. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the turns on Walnut, Oak, and Howard Streets in advance, as the lack of highway signage makes local navigation the primary challenge.
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 52.5 miles from Ludlow, MA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haverhill, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, MA
This is one driving day of about 104.9 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Ludlow, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 50.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 102.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|MA 21 / Center Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
7
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hamp...
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
8
102.1 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward MA 110, MA 113: River Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 107
Toward MA 110, MA 113: River Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.79 one way
$33.58 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$18.31
$36.62
premium
$4.82
$19.92
$39.84
diesel
$5.61
$23.16
$46.32
Estimated Tolls: $3.05
Massachusetts Turnpike
(50.8 mi)$3.05
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
$17
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: 36.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.5
0
$11.01
$5.04
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.18
$4.20
EV Truck/SUV
42
0
$14.69
$6.71
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ludlow, MA
Night
in Ludlow on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Haverhill, MA
Night
in Haverhill on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
22 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 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on driving experience, as this 105.1-mile journey is defined by a turn-heavy profile rather than high-speed cruising. You will navigate using local routes like Walnut Street, Oak Street, and Howard Street, which means your highway share for this trip is zero percent. Without the monotony of interstate travel, the road demands your full attention as you transition between local thoroughfares. This path offers a consistent, technical pace that keeps you engaged behind the wheel from start to finish.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.8 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.7 miles in near MA 21 / Center Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 104.9 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 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ludlow, MA and Haverhill, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
Taunton
52.7 mi in|~1h 4m
Portsmouth New Hampshire
52.9 mi in|~1h 4m
Portsmouth
53.1 mi in|~1h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 104.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.8 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.05 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 Haverhill, 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 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Haverhill, MA before heading back.
