This 87.1-mile drive from Gloucester, MA, to Fall River, MA, will take approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes, making it an excellent option for a single-day road trip. You'll navigate a mix of local roads and highways, with about 22% of the journey on faster routes like the Yankee Division Highway and Southeast Expressway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $14, which is quite budget-friendly. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, no overnight stay is necessary. This route offers a straightforward way to travel between two points within Massachusetts, connecting the Northeast region's coastal and inland areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Gloucester, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 87.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 87.1-mile journey, interspersed with stretches on major highways. While 22% of the route utilizes highways such as Amvets Highway and the Yankee Division Highway, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.7 miles on Amvets Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before you transition back to more frequent turns. This blend means you'll experience varied driving conditions, requiring attention as you move between different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Amvets Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles (I 93; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
20.5 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Danvers, Boston
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 63
Toward US 1: Danvers, Boston
7
20.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 1 South: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 1 South: Boston
6
45.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 93; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1 toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode...
7
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 4
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gloucester, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Boston and Somerset.
Boston
20.5 mi in|~28m
Somerset
82.7 mi in|~1h 49m|via MA 79
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
32.7 mi
37m
Yankee Division Highway
19.3 mi
26m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
Tobin Bridge
5.8 mi
9m
Broadway
3.8 mi
5m
I 93
3.4 mi
4m
Western Fall River Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
Northeast Expressway
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 32.7 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gloucester, MA and Fall River, MA.
1
Start on Dale Avenue
266 ft·15 sec·Dale Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Hancock Street
351 ft·24 sec·Hancock Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto Washington Street
299 ft·5 sec·Washington Street
5
Continue on Washington Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Street
6
Enter roundabout onto MA 128
0.1 mi·8 sec·Yankee Division Highway
7
Continue on MA 128
19 mi·26 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 63Toward US 1: Danvers, BostonUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 1 South: BostonUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on US 1
0.4 mi·36 sec·Newbury Street
11
Continue on US 1
0.6 mi·57 sec·Broadway
12
Continue on US 1; MA 129
0.3 mi·26 sec·Newburyport Turnpike
13
Continue on US 1; MA 129
3.2 mi·4 min·Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Newburyport Turnpike
15
Continue on US 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Bennett Highway
Toward Boston
16
Continue on US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Cutler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1
3.1 mi·3 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·9 min·Tobin Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi·10 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1
3.4 mi·4 min·I 93; US 1
Toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode Island
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on MA 24
33 mi·37 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79
3.4 mi·4 min·Western Fall River Expressway
Exit 7Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
24
Turn left
0.1 mi·10 sec
25
Turn right onto Durfee Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Durfee Street
26
Turn left onto Bank Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Bank Street
27
Turn right onto Purchase Street
361 ft·15 sec·Purchase Street
28
Continue on Purchase Street
269 ft·19 sec·Purchase Street
29
Arrive at destination
Purchase Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 56-minute trip, departing in the morning should help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. Since it's a single-day drive of just 87.1 miles, you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. With a fuel cost estimate of $14, you won't need to worry excessively about gas stops. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent navigation adjustments. A practical tip is to ensure your navigation system is up-to-date before you leave Gloucester to smoothly handle the numerous turns on the local segments.
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 43.5 miles from Gloucester, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 1h 2m 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 Fall River, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gloucester, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gloucester, MA
This is one driving day of about 87.1 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Gloucester, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Amvets Highway for about 32.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.5 mi from Gloucester, MA
· 1h 2m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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.
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...
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 81.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.94 one way
$27.88 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.20
$30.40
premium
$4.82
$16.54
$33.08
diesel
$5.61
$19.23
$38.46
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Newburyport Turnpike
(0.7 mi)$0.05
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.15
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.19
$5.57
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Gloucester, MA
Late night
in Gloucester on Friday
Local time
1:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fall River, MA
Late night
in Fall River on Friday
Local time
1:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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 56m 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 Gloucester, MA to Fall River, MA covers 87.1 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Amvets Highway, Yankee Division Highway, Southeast Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.5 miles from Gloucester, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.94 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles (I 93; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gloucester, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Boston and Somerset.
