The drive from Newton, MA to Barnstable, MA covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.1 miles on MA 3.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Newton, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
30.1 mi
38m
Mid Cape Highway
12.8 mi
17m
Pilgrims Highway
12 mi
15m
Yankee Division Highway
8.2 mi
11m
US 1
6.7 mi
9m
Iyannough Road
1.3 mi
2m
Phinneys Lane
1.3 mi
2m
Walnut Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.1 mi, about 38m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 232 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,921 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,054
Quietest
2 AM
~385 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
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 Newton, MA and Barnstable, MA.
1
Start on Homer Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Homer Street
2
Turn right onto Walnut Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto Centre Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Centre Street
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on Winchester Street
0.2 mi·17 sec·Winchester Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn straight onto Needham Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Needham Street
6
Continue on Highland Avenue
0.5 mi·52 sec·Highland Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95 South: CantonUse the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
8.2 mi·11 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 1
6.7 mi·9 min·US 1
Exit 26Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, BraintreeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto MA 3
30 mi·38 min·MA 3
Toward Cape CodUse the straight / right lanes.
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
13 mi·17 min·Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 68Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
20
Keep slight left at fork
304 ft·8 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
22
Turn straight onto MA 132
1.3 mi·2 min·Iyannough Road
23
Turn left onto Phinneys Lane
1.3 mi·2 min·Phinneys Lane
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Hyannis Road
0.5 mi·56 sec·Hyannis Road
25
Turn right onto Bow Lane
185 ft·8 sec·Bow Lane
26
Arrive at destination
Bow Lane
Trip Plan
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 39.3 miles from Newton, MA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 54m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnstable, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newton, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newton, MA
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Newton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 30.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 75.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South
8
12.1 mi into trip|~19m in|US 1
Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
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 26
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
8
19 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintree
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintre...
6
19.5 mi into trip|~29m in|MA 3
Merge onto MA 3 toward Cape Cod
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Cape Cod
6
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.11 one way
$26.22 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$14.44
$28.87
premium
$5.06
$15.65
$31.30
diesel
$5.60
$17.33
$34.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.88
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Newton, MA
Late night
in Newton on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Rain Showers
E 2 to 6 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Barnstable, MA
Late night
in Barnstable on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 8 mph4% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$15
near mile 19
Park Closure: Upcoming Site Closure – Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill
. . . 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...
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.
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...
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$25
near mile 78.6
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
78.6 mi in 1h 48m — 47% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: MA 3.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.1 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
176 ft27 ft
Total Climb
233 ft
Total Descent
301 ft
Highest Point
176 ft
~67.3 mi in
Elevation Range
148 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newton, MA and Barnstable, MA, road signs point toward Plymouth, Braintree and Cape Cod.
Newton is a city in Massachusetts and a western suburb of Boston. Newton is nicknamed "The Garden City" and is one of Boston's oldest suburbs, settled in 1630.
Top landmarks
•Newton-Wellesley Hospital — community teaching medical center located in Newton, Massachusetts on Washington...
•Union Street Historic District — historic district in Massachusetts, United States
•Echo Bridge — bridge in Massachusetts, United States
Barnstable is in Massachusetts on Cape Cod. The Town of Barnstable includes seven villages. Each village has unique and significant cultural and historical qualities. Barnstable was the first place to be settled on Cape Cod; in 1639. Several Crocker family houses and farms from that period still exist today.
Top landmarks
•Sandy Neck Light — lighthouse in Massachusetts, United States
•Adams-Crocker-Fish House — United States historic place
•Ancient Burying Ground — historic cemetery in Centerville, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 78.6 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 (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.1 miles on MA 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Barnstable, 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area and Boston National Historical Park (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 Barnstable, MA before heading back.
