Origin
Charlestown, RI
Night in Charlestown on Tuesday
Local time
10:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Charlestown, RI to Smithfield, RI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
47.5 mi
76 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlestown, RI
Wikimedia Commons
Smithfield, RI
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
If you are looking to traverse Rhode Island from south to north, this 49.5-mile journey from Charlestown to Smithfield is a straightforward trek. Expect the drive to take roughly 55 minutes, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via Post Road, Commodore Perry Highway, and the Post Road Freeway to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $8, this trip is highly economical for travelers moving within the Northeast region. Because the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule.
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
23.8 miles from Charlestown, RI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate haul, this route features zero highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 49.5 miles navigating local roads rather than high-speed lanes. The character of the road is consistent, favoring technical turns over long, uninterrupted stretches. You should anticipate a dynamic driving experience where the road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently as you transition between towns. This is not a route for cruise control; instead, it is a hands-on drive that keeps you engaged throughout the duration of your trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 295 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 47.5 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 16.8 miles (US 1 / Tower Hill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 27.8 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
16.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 1 / Tower Hill Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 / Tower Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
27.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95 toward I 95 North: Providence
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Providence
8
30.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 toward I 295 North: Woonsocket
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 295 North: Woonsocket
8
41 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 295
Take the exit onto I 295 toward RI 5: Johnston, Smithfield
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 10
Toward RI 5: Johnston, Smithfield
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| Col Rodman Highway | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Commodore Perry Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| Tower Hill Road | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| I 95 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Pleasant View Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Post Road | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Farnum Pike | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 295
— 10.9 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown, RI and Smithfield, RI.
1
Start on RI 1A
208 ft
·
4 sec
·
Old Post Road
2
Turn right
410 ft
·
6 sec
3
Take the ramp
444 ft
·
12 sec
4
Merge onto US 1
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Post Road
5
Continue on US 1
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Commodore Perry Highway
6
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
Post Road Freeway
7
Continue on US 1
6.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Tower Hill Road
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tower Hill Road
9
Turn straight onto RI 4
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Col Rodman Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 95
Toward I 95 North: Providence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 295
Exit 28A
Toward I 295 North: Woonsocket
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 295
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 295
Exit 10
Toward RI 5: Johnston, Smithfield
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto RI 5
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Greenville Avenue
14
Turn straight onto RI 5
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
Sanderson Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on RI 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Swamp Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on RI 5; RI 116
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pleasant View Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto RI 5; RI 104; RI 116
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farnum Pike
18
Turn right onto Brayton Road
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
Brayton Road
19
Arrive at destination
Brayton Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 55-minute excursion, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or multiple rest stops. I recommend checking local traffic patterns before you head out, as the reliance on local roads means your travel time could fluctuate during peak hours. You won't need to budget extra for fuel beyond the estimated $8, but keeping a full tank before leaving Charlestown is always a smart move. Because the route is entirely local, take advantage of the flexibility to depart whenever traffic looks lightest. My best tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps handy, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can make it easy to miss a junction if you aren't paying close attention.
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 23.8 miles from Charlestown, RI, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 47.5 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.8 miles or 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smithfield, RI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlestown, RI 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 Charlestown, RI
This is one driving day of about 47.5 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Charlestown, RI.
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 I 295 for about 10.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.8 mi from Charlestown, RI · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 47.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.8 miles from Charlestown, RI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Smithfield, RI
The final approach into Smithfield, RI 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 Smithfield, RI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.65 one way
$15.29 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $8.41 | $16.83 |
| premium | $4.86 | $9.10 | $18.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.49 | $20.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.3 | 0 | $4.99 | $2.28 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19 | 0 | $6.65 | $3.04 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Smithfield, RI
Night in Smithfield on Tuesday
Local time
10:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
24 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
1h 2m 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 Charlestown, RI to Smithfield, RI covers 47.5 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 295, Col Rodman Highway, Commodore Perry Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.8 miles from Charlestown, RI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.65 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 12 significant decision points across 47.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 16.8 miles (US 1 / Tower Hill Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 27.8 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Charlestown, RI to Smithfield, RI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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