Origin
Amherst, MA
Evening in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amherst, MA to Newton, MA
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
85.7 mi
138 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, MA
Phil Evenden
Newton, MA
Engin Akyurt
Trip Overview
Traveling from Amherst to Newton is a straightforward 85.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Massachusetts, you will remain within the Northeast region throughout your transit. It is designed as a single-day trip, making it an ideal option for a quick commute or a weekend visit. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should comfortably cover your needs for the one-way distance. Whether you are heading toward the Greater Boston area for business or pleasure, the efficiency of this path makes it a very manageable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 59.6-mile uninterrupted stretch. The drive begins with local navigation via Federal Street and North Liberty Street before transitioning into the faster, more consistent pace of the turnpike. While the initial sections require focus on local roads, the remainder of the trip offers a predictable, steady flow that helps you make good time as you move across the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 59.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 85.7 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 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
19.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 20 / Thorndike Street
Turn left onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
81 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providen...
8
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hamp...
9
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
8
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 30 East: Newton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward MA 30 East: Newton
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Amherst, MA to Newton, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence Rhode Island along the way.
Providence Rhode Island
81 mi in
|
~1h 48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 59.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| Federal Street | 5.6 mi | 10m |
| North Liberty Street | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Commonwealth Avenue | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Washington Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Belchertown Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Palmer Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Newton, MA.
1
Start on Depot Road
449 ft
·
20 sec
·
Depot Road
2
Turn right onto MA 116
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Pleasant Street
3
Turn right onto MA 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
College Street
4
Continue on MA 9
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Belchertown Road
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on MA 9
391 ft
·
6 sec
·
USMC League Highway
6
Continue on MA 9
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Federal Street
7
Continue on Federal Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Federal Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 9
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Federal Street
9
Turn right onto US 202
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Washington Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Washington Street
11
Continue on North Liberty Street
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North Liberty Street
12
Continue on Belchertown Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Belchertown Street
13
Continue on Bridge Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Bridge Street
14
Turn left onto Palmer Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmer Road
15
Turn right onto MA 181
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Sykes Street
16
Continue on MA 181
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
17
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft
·
7 sec
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
22
Merge onto I 90
60 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the none lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 123
Toward I 95: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Providence Rhode Island
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
this road
25
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Use the none lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Waltham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 39A
Toward MA 30: Newton, Weston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
132 ft
·
4 sec
Toward MA 30 East: Newton
Use the left / right lanes.
29
Turn slight right onto MA 30
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Commonwealth Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Homer Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Homer Street
Use the none lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Homer Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. However, given the reliance on the Massachusetts Turnpike, keep an eye on real-time traffic reports to avoid peak-hour congestion near Newton. You won't need to plan for overnight stays, as the sub-two-hour duration allows you to complete the journey easily in one go. If you are sensitive to fluctuating fuel prices, keep your $14 estimate in mind when filling up, as prices can vary between the quieter western regions and the busier metropolitan areas. Use the lack of forced stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks according to your personal comfort rather than necessity.
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 42.9 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 1h 4m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newton, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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 Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 85.7 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Amherst, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.9 mi from Amherst, MA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.9 miles from Amherst, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Newton, MA
The final approach into Newton, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Newton, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.64 one way
$27.28 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $14.84 | $29.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.19 | $32.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.04 | $38.08 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.58
Massachusetts Turnpike
(59.6 mi)
$3.58
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
$14
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Newton, MA
Evening in Newton on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
43 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
19 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
1h 57m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Amherst, MA to Newton, MA covers 85.7 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, North Liberty Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.9 miles from Amherst, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 85.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Amherst, MA to Newton, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Providence Rhode Island along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Newton, MA
More trips to Newton, MA
Explore more options from Amherst, MA or browse trips ending in Newton, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
Explore maps for Amherst, MA or Newton, MA on MapSof.net.