Origin
Plymouth, MA
Morning in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
7:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
61.5 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Nantucket, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 61.5-mile journey from Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via Mid Cape Highway and the Hyannis - Nantucket route, with a minimal highway share of 0%, indicating a more local driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, this trip is quite economical. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a need for attention as you navigate. It's a straightforward drive within the Northeast region, perfect for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
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
30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hyannis - Nantucket | 28.3 mi | 2h 14m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 12.6 mi | 15m |
| Iyannough Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Barnstable Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Sagamore Bridge | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Hyannis - Nantucket
— 28.3 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MA and Nantucket, MA.
1
Start on MA 3A
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Court Street
2
Continue on MA 3A
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Main Street Extension
3
Continue on MA 3A
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Sandwich Street
4
Turn right onto South Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Street
5
Take the ramp
473 ft
·
11 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
7
Merge onto MA 3
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pilgrims Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
9
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
10
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
11
Continue on US 6
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 68
Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
13
Keep slight left at fork
304 ft
·
8 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
15
Turn straight onto MA 132
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Iyannough Road
16
Enter roundabout onto Barnstable Road
228 ft
·
4 sec
·
Barnstable Road
17
Continue on Barnstable Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Barnstable Road
18
Continue on Ocean Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Ocean Street
19
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Street
20
Turn right onto South Street Dock
369 ft
·
28 sec
·
South Street Dock
21
Turn left onto Slip 1
51 ft
·
3 sec
·
Slip 1
22
Continue on Slip 1
197 ft
·
14 sec
·
Slip 1
23
Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket
28 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
Hyannis - Nantucket
24
Continue on Slip 1
143 ft
·
13 sec
·
Slip 1
25
Turn left onto Steamboat Wharf
67 ft
·
7 sec
·
Steamboat Wharf
26
Continue on Steamboat Wharf
244 ft
·
8 sec
·
Steamboat Wharf
27
Continue on Broad Street
397 ft
·
19 sec
·
Broad Street
28
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South Water Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto Main Street
513 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto Centre Street
120 ft
·
3 sec
·
Centre Street
31
Arrive at destination
Centre Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 6-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 61.5-mile drive, consider departing early to maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $10, planning is minimal, allowing for flexibility. Pay close attention to navigation, especially during the 28.3-mile stretch on Hyannis - Nantucket, as frequent turns are a defining characteristic. Being in Massachusetts for both the start and end points, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines, simplifying your journey.
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 30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.7 miles or 44m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nantucket, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, MA
This is one driving day of about 61.5 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Plymouth, 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 Hyannis - Nantucket for about 28.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 61.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
28.2 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
61.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
South Water Street
Turn left onto South Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
61.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.84 one way
$19.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $10.73 | $21.47 |
| premium | $4.82 | $11.68 | $23.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
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: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Nantucket, MA
Morning in Nantucket on Sunday
Local time
7:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
42°F
Sandwich, MA
31 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.
Road read
3h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cape Cod National Seashore
National Seashore
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$25
near mile 29.7
View on nps.gov
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
National Historical Park
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 14.8
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$15
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . 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
~70 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 61.5-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.3 miles on Hyannis - Nantucket, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns commence. This driving profile means you'll be actively engaged, making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a high-speed highway. The character of the road is consistent, focusing on local connectivity and requiring your full attention throughout the 3-hour duration.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.3 mi on Hyannis - Nantucket.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 61.5 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 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.
Hyannis
28.2 mi in
|
~39m
About the Cities
Starting in Plymouth, MA
Full guide →Plymouth is on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth is most famous for being the final landing place of the Pilgrims who arrived on board the Mayflower in 1620, after storms lead them away from their desired settlement, the Hudson River. The settlement they established, Plimoth Colony, was one of the earliest successful settlements of Europeans in North America. In addition to its obvious historical draws, modern-day Plymouth is a picturesque seaside town with a bustling summer resident population who come back year after year to enjoy its beaches, ponds, and forests. Although summer is Plymouth's peak tourist season, spring (before Memorial Day) and fall (after Labor Day) can be excellent times to visit. These bumper seasons are less crowded and certainly more comfortable temperature-wise.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 61.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.3 miles on Hyannis - Nantucket. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Nantucket, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cape Cod National Seashore, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Adams National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Nantucket, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Nantucket, MA
More trips to Nantucket, MA
Explore more options from Plymouth, MA or browse trips ending in Nantucket, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.