Traveling from Oak Bluffs to Fall River covers a total distance of 65.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Because this route involves a ferry crossing from Martha's Vineyard to the mainland, you should plan for a mix of water travel and highway driving. The journey is well-suited for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable without requiring an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the mainland portion of the drive. Navigating through the Northeast, you will transition from the island environment to the industrial heritage of Fall River. It is a straightforward trip that bridges the gap between the Vineyard and the mainland effectively.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.7 miles from Oak Bluffs, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 195
26.6 mi
32m
MA 25
9.1 mi
10m
Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs Ferry
8.5 mi
44m
West Falmouth Highway
8.3 mi
11m
General MacArthur Boulevard
4.1 mi
6m
Woods Hole Road
3.3 mi
7m
MA 28
1.1 mi
2m
Palmer Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 195
— 26.6 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Bluffs, MA and Fall River, MA.
1
Start on Butler Avenue
172 ft·25 sec·Butler Avenue
2
Turn left onto Jordan Crossing
254 ft·31 sec·Jordan Crossing
3
At end of road, turn right onto Siloam Avenue
334 ft·14 sec·Siloam Avenue
4
Continue on Siloam Avenue
498 ft·25 sec·Siloam Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto Lake Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·Lake Avenue
6
Turn sharp left onto Sea View Avenue
441 ft·11 sec·Sea View Avenue
7
Turn right onto Oak Bluffs Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·Oak Bluffs Avenue
8
Turn slight left onto Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs Ferry
8.5 mi·44 min·Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs Ferry
9
Continue
203 ft·18 sec
10
At end of road, turn left onto Railroad Avenue
416 ft·21 sec·Railroad Avenue
11
Merge onto Woods Hole Road
3.3 mi·7 min·Woods Hole Road
12
Continue on Locust Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Locust Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto MA 28
0.1 mi·9 sec·North Main Street
14
Continue on MA 28
1.0 mi·2 min·Palmer Avenue
15
Continue on MA 28
8.3 mi·11 min·West Falmouth Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto MA 28
0.1 mi·17 sec·General MacArthur Boulevard
17
Continue on MA 28
4.0 mi·5 min·General MacArthur Boulevard
18
Enter roundabout onto MA 28
402 ft·13 sec·MA 28
19
Continue on MA 28
1.0 mi·1 min·MA 28
20
Continue on MA 25
9.1 mi·10 min·MA 25
21
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward I 195 West: New Bedford, Providence Rhode Island
22
Continue on I 195
26 mi·31 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195
0.7 mi·58 sec·I 195
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 13-12Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Pleasant StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 195 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward Pleasant StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
81 ft·7 sec·Pleasant Street
28
Turn left onto Seventh Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Seventh Street
29
Turn left onto Bedford Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Bedford Street
30
Turn left onto Purchase Street
269 ft·19 sec·Purchase Street
31
Arrive at destination
Purchase Street
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth transition, coordinate your departure time with the ferry schedule to avoid unnecessary wait times at the terminal. Since the total drive is only 65.4 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your day without feeling rushed. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind as you transition from island travel to the mainland road system. Because I-195 makes up the bulk of your land travel, stay alert for typical highway traffic patterns as you approach Fall River. A smart tip for this route is to account for the ferry's specific boarding requirements, as this is the most critical logistical step before you ever hit the highway.
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 32.7 miles from Oak Bluffs, MA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 14 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall River, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Bluffs, 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 Oak Bluffs, MA
This is one driving day of about 65.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Oak Bluffs, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 195 for about 26.6 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 0.5 and 64.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Sea View Avenue
Turn sharp left onto Sea View Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
36.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 195 West: New Bedford, Providence Rhode Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1
Toward I 195 West: New Bedford, Providence Rhod...
8
64.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Pleasant Street
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 13-12
Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Pleasant S...
8
64.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 195 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 195 West
9
64.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Pleasant Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Pleasant Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.47 one way
$20.93 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.41
$22.83
premium
$4.82
$12.42
$24.84
diesel
$5.61
$14.44
$28.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.6
0
$6.87
$3.14
Efficient EV
16.4
0
$5.72
$2.62
EV Truck/SUV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Origin
Oak Bluffs, MA
Night
in Oak Bluffs on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Fall River, MA
Night
in Fall River on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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.
Road read
2h 5m 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?
This trip features a diverse profile, blending the unique transition from the Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs Ferry onto mainland roadways. Once you are off the water, you will utilize MA 25 and I-195, which account for about 56% of your travel time on highways. You can expect a relatively smooth experience, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.6 miles while cruising on I-195. The driving character shifts from the slower pace of coastal transit to the faster, more consistent flow of interstate travel. Keep in mind that the road conditions vary as you move from the ferry landing into the highway network, making for a functional and efficient drive.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.6 mi on I 195.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.5 miles in near Sea View Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 65.4 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 0.5 miles (Sea View Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Oak Bluffs, MA to Fall River, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence Rhode Island along the way.
In the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts, where the Taunton River empties into Mount Hope Bay, stands Fall River- the "Spindle City". Not to be overshadowed by nearby Boston and Providence, Fall River offers visitors unique attractions that are absent from its two larger neighbors. Fall River is famous for Battleship Cove, the largest museum of its kind in the world; a rich Portuguese-American culture, featuring authentic food; and the accused axe murderess Lizzie Borden.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 65.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.6 miles on I 195. 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 Fall River, 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 0.5 miles (Sea View Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fall River, MA before heading back.
