Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
38m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Amherst Center, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Springfield to Amherst Center is a quick, straightforward journey covering 26.1 miles through the Northeast. You can expect to complete the drive in about 38 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel will cover your transit across these two Massachusetts hubs. Because the trip is short and efficient, it works well for commuters or anyone looking to transition between these two regional centers quickly. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, ensuring a predictable travel experience.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 91 | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| Russell Street | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| North Maple Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Amity Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Rocky Hill Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Columbus Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, MA and Amherst Center, MA.
Start on City Hall Place
Continue on Pynchon Street
Turn right onto East Columbus Avenue
Turn right onto Gridiron Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn slight left onto MA 20A
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 91
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto MA 9
Continue on MA 9
Continue on MA 9
Turn left onto North Maple Street
Turn right onto Rocky Hill Road
Continue on Amity Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Pleasant Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Boltwood Avenue
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 26 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto East Columbus Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Gridiron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto MA 9 / Bridge Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto Boltwood Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$4.18 one way
$8.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $4.56 | $9.11 |
| premium | $4.82 | $4.96 | $9.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.76 | $11.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Amherst Center on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 67% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 17.5 miles on I-91, which provides a steady, consistent pace. As you progress, the journey shifts from the interstate onto Russell Street and North Maple Street to navigate you toward your final destination. Expect a functional, direct drive that favors speed and reliability over winding backroads. It is a no-nonsense trip designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and Russell Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Columbus Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 38m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Columbus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Gridiron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
514 ft
Total Descent
270 ft
Highest Point
392 ft
~11.2 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 38m. Total distance: 26.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. 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 options from Springfield, MA or browse trips ending in Amherst Center, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
