Williamstown, MA to Bald Head, ME is 182 miles and takes about 4h 30m via MA 2 and I 495, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip moves you from the Northeast region of Massachusetts into Maine, offering a predominantly highway experience for most of the way. It's a straightforward drive, well-suited for a single-day excursion if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. Consider this route if you value directness and want to spend more time at your destination rather than on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
91 miles from Williamstown, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
53.5 mi
1h 17m
I 495
42.9 mi
50m
Mohawk Trail
26.5 mi
48m
Blue Star Turnpike
17.2 mi
20m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
I 95
6.7 mi
7m
Route 2
5.2 mi
8m
Main Street
3.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 149 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,999 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,653
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Williamstown, MA and Bald Head, ME.
1
Start on Spring Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Spring Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Latham Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Latham Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto MA 43
0.2 mi·36 sec·Water Street
4
Turn right onto MA 2
1.5 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Continue on MA 2
2.2 mi·4 min·State Road
6
Continue on MA 2
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on West Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
8
Continue on MA 8A
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
9
Turn right onto MA 2
15 mi·30 min·Mohawk Trail
10
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi·1 min·Tea Street
11
Continue on MA 2
0.5 mi·48 sec·Mohawk Trail
12
Continue on MA 2
1.0 mi·1 min·Tea Street
13
Continue on MA 2
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
14
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi·1 min·Mohawk Trail
15
Continue on MA 2
5.2 mi·8 min·Route 2
16
Continue on MA 2
11 mi·16 min·Mohawk Trail
17
Enter roundabout onto MA 2
0.2 mi·12 sec·MA 2
18
Continue on MA 2
2.4 mi·2 min·MA 2
19
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2
51 mi·1 hr 14 min·MA 2
Exit 27Toward MA 2 East: Boston
20
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
23
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·50 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95
6.7 mi·7 min·I 95
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
7.8 mi·9 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
9.4 mi·11 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine PointsUse the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 7Toward The Yorks, Ogunquit
28
Turn straight onto Spur Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Spur Road
29
Turn left onto US 1
3.0 mi·5 min·US Route 1
30
Turn right onto Clark Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Clark Road
31
Continue on Clark Road
109 ft·4 sec·Clark Road
32
Turn right onto River Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·River Road
33
Keep slight right at fork onto River Road
0.4 mi·1 min·River Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto Shore Road
2.4 mi·5 min·Shore Road
35
Turn right onto Bald Head Cliff Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Bald Head Cliff Road
36
Turn straight
119 ft·8 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Williamstown in the morning should allow ample time to reach Bald Head comfortably before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, suggesting it's manageable in a single push. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimated cost is based on the total mileage, and topping up before you depart or after the longest highway stretch could be wise. Since this is a shorter, mostly highway drive, you have flexibility; consider a slightly later start if you prefer a more relaxed morning.
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 91 miles from Williamstown, MA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 40 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bald Head, ME than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamstown, 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 Williamstown, MA
This is one driving day of about 182 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Williamstown, 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 MA 2 for about 53.5 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 0.4 and 165 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MA 43 / Water Street
At end of road, turn left onto MA 43 / Water Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
43.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|MA 2
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2 toward MA 2 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 27
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
6
94.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
8
165 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.28 one way
$64.56 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$35.10
$70.19
premium
$5.29
$37.91
$75.82
diesel
$5.35
$38.33
$76.67
Estimated Tolls: $2.07
Blue Star Turnpike
(17.2 mi)$1.21
Concord Turnpike
(12.3 mi)$0.86
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
$32
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Williamstown, MA
Evening
in Williamstown on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bald Head, ME
Evening
in Bald Head on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NE 10 mph39% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Northfield, MA
91 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.
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
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 112.9
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 131.8
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.
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 125.5
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 50.2
. . . 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...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 125.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 77% of the 182 miles on faster roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 53.5 miles on MA 2. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising until you reach the latter portion of your trip, where you'll transition to more surface roads. The route features a high number of exits and merges typical of interstate driving.
77% 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: 53.5 mi on MA 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and I 495. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MA 43 / Water Street.
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 182 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 0.4 miles (MA 43 / Water Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 43.7 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 94.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,014 ft38 ft
Total Climb
2,306 ft
Total Descent
2,918 ft
Highest Point
2,014 ft
~13 mi in
Elevation Range
1,976 ft
Notable High Points
2,014 ft at ~13 miles+1,330 ft prominence
1,084 ft at ~78 miles+523 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Williamstown, MA and Bald Head, ME, road signs point toward Lawrence, New Hampshire and Maine Points.
Williamstown is a town in the Berkshires at the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with New York and Vermont. It is a true college town, having hosted Williams College since 1793.
Top landmarks
•Williams College Museum of Art — art museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 182 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on MA 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.07 in tolls one way, starting with Blue Star 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 16 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 Bald Head, ME 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ME can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MA 43 / Water Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 43.7 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 94.7 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bald Head, ME, but most travelers stay overnight.
