Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Framingham Center, MA to Amherst, MA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

73.5 mi

118 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 37m ★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Framingham Center, MA

Wikimedia Commons

town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States

Amherst, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Framingham Center, MA to Amherst, MA covers 73.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, South Liberty Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.76 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

36.7 miles from Framingham Center, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 73.5 miles, with most of the trip on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.

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 48.4 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 early in the drive near State Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 73.5 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 (State Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Maynard Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | State Street

Turn right onto State Street

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Maynard Road

Turn left onto Maynard Road

Navigation decision point

8
2.9 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Worcester, Springfield, Massachusetts Turnpike West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 90 West: Worcester, Springfield, Massa...
6
35.8 mi into trip | ~45m 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
51.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 63 Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Framingham Center, MA to Amherst, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Ware along the way.

Ware

51.9 mi in | ~1h 4m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 48.4 mi 55m
Federal Street 5.6 mi 10m
South Liberty Street 4.1 mi 7m
North Washington Street 2.1 mi 3m
Belchertown Road 2.1 mi 3m
North Main Street 1.4 mi 2m
Worcester Road 1.4 mi 2m
South Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 48.4 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Framingham Center, MA and Amherst, MA.

1

Start on this road

55 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto State Street

122 ft · 10 sec · State Street
3

Turn left onto Maynard Road

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Maynard Road
4

Turn left onto Salem End Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Salem End Road
5

Turn right onto Temple Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Temple Street
6

Turn left onto MA 9

1.4 mi · 2 min · Worcester Road
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West, I 90 East: Masspike, Springfield, Boston
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Worcester, Springfield, Massachusetts Turnpike West Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 90

32 mi · 37 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

16 mi · 18 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 63 Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
12

Turn right onto MA 32

0.8 mi · 1 min · Thorndike Street
Use the right lane.
13

At end of road, turn right onto US 20

0.8 mi · 59 sec · North Main Street
14

Continue on MA 181

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
15

Continue on MA 181

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Sykes Street
16

Turn left onto Palmer Street

192 ft · 5 sec · Palmer Street
17

Continue on Palmer Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road
18

Turn right onto Bridge Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Bridge Street
19

Continue on Belchertown Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Belchertown Street
20

Continue on South Liberty Street

4.1 mi · 7 min · South Liberty Street
21

Continue on North Washington Street

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Washington Street
22

Turn straight onto MA 181

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
23

Turn left onto MA 9

1.3 mi · 2 min · Federal Street
Use the left lane.
24

Continue on Federal Street

4.3 mi · 7 min · Federal Street
25

Continue on MA 9

391 ft · 6 sec · USMC League Highway
26

Continue on MA 9

2.0 mi · 3 min · Belchertown Road
27

Continue on MA 9

378 ft · 12 sec · Belchertown Road
28

Continue on MA 9

1.0 mi · 2 min · College Street
29

Turn left onto MA 116

0.4 mi · 50 sec · South Pleasant Street
30

Turn left onto Depot Road

449 ft · 19 sec · Depot Road
31

Arrive at destination

Depot Road

Trip Plan

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 36.7 miles from Framingham Center, MA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.4 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 73.5 miles or 1h 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.7 miles or 46m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Framingham Center, 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 Framingham Center, MA

This is one driving day of about 73.5 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Framingham Center, 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 48.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 36.7 mi from Framingham Center, MA · 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

37 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.7 miles from Framingham Center, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Amherst, MA

The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, MA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

New England National Scenic Trail

New England National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 68.4
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

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.

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour $15
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . 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...

25 mi from route ~64 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park

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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.76 one way

$23.53 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $12.83 $25.66
premium $4.82 $13.96 $27.91
diesel $5.61 $16.23 $32.46

Estimated Tolls: $2.91

Massachusetts Turnpike (48.4 mi) $2.91

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

$12

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.1 0 $7.72 $3.53
Efficient EV 18.4 0 $6.43 $2.94
EV Truck/SUV 29.4 0 $10.29 $4.70

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Framingham Center, MA

Night in Framingham Center on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, MA

Night in Amherst on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

37 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

6 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 44m 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 Framingham Center, MA to Amherst, MA covers 73.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, South 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 36.7 miles from Framingham Center, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.76 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 16 significant decision points across 73.5 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 (State Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Maynard Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Framingham Center, MA to Amherst, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Ware along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Amherst, MA to Framingham Center, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

72.4 mi 1h 42m

Continue From Amherst, MA

New Bedford, MA 118.7 mi · 2h 39m Brockton, MA 108.1 mi · 2h 27m Fall River, MA 105.4 mi · 2h 23m Lynn, MA 104.7 mi · 2h 25m

More from Framingham Center, MA

Plymouth, MA 56.8 mi · 1h 21m Brockton, MA 35.1 mi · 49m Holden, MA 26.4 mi · 46m South Boston, MA 23.6 mi · 36m Worcester, MA 19.8 mi · 33m Grafton, MA 16.7 mi · 34m

More trips to Amherst, MA

New Bedford, MA 119.8 mi Brockton, MA 107.9 mi Fall River, MA 106.2 mi Haverhill, MA 96.2 mi Boston, MA 93.7 mi Lawrence, MA 88 mi

Explore more options from Framingham Center, MA or browse trips ending in Amherst, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Explore maps for Framingham Center, MA or Amherst, MA on MapSof.net.