Swampscott to Springfield is 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 10m via Massachusetts Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, traversing the Northeast region of the state. With most of your miles on the highway, it's a straightforward drive that's easily manageable in a single day. Consider this route if you need a quick, no-fuss connection between the North Shore and Western Massachusetts.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Swampscott, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
85 mi
1h 41m
North Shore Road
2.6 mi
4m
Springfield Expressway
2.6 mi
3m
Lynnway
2.2 mi
3m
Ted Williams Tunnel
1.5 mi
2m
Lynn Shore Drive
1.1 mi
1m
Saint James Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
McClellan Highway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 85 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swampscott, MA and Springfield, MA.
1
Start on Hardy Road
212 ft·10 sec·Hardy Road
2
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
373 ft·12 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto Monument Avenue
72 ft·2 sec·Monument Avenue
4
Continue on Monument Avenue
447 ft·20 sec·Monument Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto MA 129
0.1 mi·13 sec·Humphrey Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto Lynn Shore Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Lynn Shore Drive
7
Enter roundabout onto Lynnway
85 ft·1 sec·Lynnway
8
Continue on Lynnway
2.2 mi·3 min·Lynnway
9
Continue on MA 1A
2.6 mi·4 min·North Shore Road
10
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
108 ft·1 sec·Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
11
Continue on MA 1A
0.4 mi·36 sec·Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
12
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
377 ft·8 sec·MA 1A
13
Continue on MA 1A
215 ft·7 sec·MA 1A
14
Merge onto MA 1A
53 ft·1 sec·Lee Burbank Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 1A
1.0 mi·2 min·Lee Burbank Highway
16
Continue on MA 1A
1.0 mi·1 min·McClellan Highway
17
Continue on MA 1A
0.6 mi·56 sec·East Boston Expressway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
0.9 mi·1 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan AirportUse the slight left lane.
19
Continue on I 90
1.5 mi·2 min·Ted Williams Tunnel
20
Continue on I 90
57 mi·1 hr 8 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
28 mi·31 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·55 sec
Exit 51Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
23
Keep slight right at fork
348 ft·9 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
25
Continue on I 291
2.6 mi·3 min·Springfield Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 4Toward Chicopee Falls
27
Turn left onto Page Boulevard
384 ft·13 sec·Page Boulevard
28
Turn slight left onto Saint James Avenue
0.2 mi·15 sec·Saint James Avenue
29
Enter roundabout onto Saint James Avenue
101 ft·2 sec·Saint James Avenue
30
Continue on Saint James Avenue
428 ft·8 sec·Saint James Avenue
31
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
32
Continue on Saint James Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Saint James Avenue
33
Turn right onto State Street
0.9 mi·1 min·State Street
34
Turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
35
Turn left onto Court Street
234 ft·22 sec·Court Street
36
Turn right onto City Hall Place
166 ft·7 sec·City Hall Place
37
Arrive at destination
City Hall Place
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes, you can comfortably depart anytime. The 101.9-mile trip should not require extensive stops, but the Massachusetts Turnpike offers numerous service plazas for fuel and rest if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's wise to start with a full tank, especially since 85 miles will be on the turnpike. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility; you can push through or take a brief pause without significantly impacting your arrival time.
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 50.9 miles from Swampscott, MA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 7m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Swampscott, 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 Swampscott, MA
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Swampscott, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 85 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 96.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Monument Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Monument Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MA 129 / Humphrey Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 129 / Humphrey Street
Navigation decision point
8
9.5 mi into trip|~16m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan A...
6
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
96.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.31 one way
$32.62 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$17.78
$35.57
premium
$4.82
$19.35
$38.70
diesel
$5.61
$22.50
$45.00
Estimated Tolls: $5.10
Massachusetts Turnpike
(85 mi)$5.10
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
Efficient EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
EV Truck/SUV
40.8
0
$14.27
$6.52
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Swampscott, MA
Late night
in Swampscott on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, MA
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
3 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 10m 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.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 10.5
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
. . . 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 10.5
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 24.6
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 94.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest continuous segment covering 85 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Expect a high volume of exits as you approach Springfield, indicating a transition from highway cruising to more localized travel as you near your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and North Shore Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Monument Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 101.9 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 0.1 miles (Monument Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (MA 129 / Humphrey Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Swampscott, MA and Springfield, MA, road signs point toward Logan Airport and Hartford Connecticut.
Logan Airport
9.5 mi in|~16m|via I 90
Hartford Connecticut
96.1 mi in|~2h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.10 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Springfield, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Monument Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (MA 129 / Humphrey Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (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 Springfield, MA before heading back.
