Trip from Haverhill, MA to Amherst, MA

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

96.2 mi

155 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Haverhill, MA

Donovan Kelly

Amherst, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Traveling from Haverhill to Amherst covers 96.2 miles across the Northeast, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. This excursion relies primarily on major thoroughfares like the Concord Turnpike, I-495, and the Daniel Shays Highway. It is an efficient, highway-focused drive that connects two distinct parts of Massachusetts, serving as a practical link for those looking to move between the regions quickly.

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

48.1 miles from Haverhill, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a balanced experience that leans heavily into highway travel, with 61% of your route spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady pace early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 31.4 miles along the Concord Turnpike. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto the Daniel Shays Highway, the character of the drive shifts from high-traffic arteries to more focused transit. The road remains efficient throughout, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel maintaining a consistent speed, making this a functional commute rather than a technical driving challenge.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Concord Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 31.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Concord Turnpike and I 495. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 495.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 96.2 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 3.1 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 495

Merge onto I 495

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

19.8 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 89C-B-A Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

20 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

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

Use the none lane. Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

20.2 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

74.4 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown

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

Exit 71 Toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown

Towns Along This Route

Between Haverhill, MA and Amherst, MA, road signs point toward Nashua New Hampshire and Belchertown.

Nashua New Hampshire

19.8 mi in | ~24m

Belchertown

74.4 mi in | ~1h 38m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Concord Turnpike	31.4 mi	43m
I 495	27.4 mi	32m
Daniel Shays Highway	14.3 mi	23m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway	10.9 mi	14m
Amherst Road	4.2 mi	8m
River Street	2.1 mi	3m
Main Street	1 mi	2m
Pelham Road	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Concord Turnpike — 31.4 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on MA 125

442 ft · 14 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto MA 113

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Merrimack Street

Continue on MA 110; MA 113

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Washington Street

Continue on MA 110; MA 113

218 ft · 5 sec · Washington Street

Continue on MA 110; MA 113

2.1 mi · 3 min · River Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 495 South: Lawrence

Merge onto I 495

17 mi · 19 min · I 495

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 89C-B-A Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Merge onto I 495

11 mi · 12 min · I 495

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 78B Toward MA 2 West: Leominster

Merge onto MA 2

11 mi · 14 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

31 mi · 43 min · Concord Turnpike

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 71 Toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown

Turn left onto US 202

14 mi · 23 min · Daniel Shays Highway

Turn right onto Amherst Road

4.2 mi · 8 min · Amherst Road

Continue on Pelham Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pelham Road

Continue on Main Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Turn left onto Dickinson Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Dickinson Street

Turn right onto MA 9

0.3 mi · 57 sec · College Street

Turn left onto MA 116

0.4 mi · 50 sec · South Pleasant Street

Turn left onto Depot Road

449 ft · 19 sec · Depot Road

Arrive at destination

Depot Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 17-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for lengthy stops, as the distance is short enough to drive in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is around $15, so topping off your tank before you leave Haverhill is a smart way to ensure a seamless trip. Because the route is highway-heavy, keep an eye on traffic patterns along I-495, as congestion can fluctuate throughout the day. Using the Daniel Shays Highway as your final approach allows you to settle into the last leg of the trip with a clear, direct path toward Amherst.

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 48.1 miles from Haverhill, MA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.1 miles or 1h 1m 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 46m

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 Haverhill, 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 Haverhill, MA

This is one driving day of about 96.2 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Haverhill, 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 Concord Turnpike for about 31.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 48.1 mi from Haverhill, MA · 1h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

48 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.1 miles from Haverhill, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.31 one way

$30.62 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$16.65	$33.31
premium	$4.80	$18.18	$36.35
diesel	$5.64	$21.37	$42.74

Estimated Tolls: $2.20

Concord Turnpike (31.4 mi) $2.20

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

$15

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	28.9	$10.10	$4.62
Efficient EV	24.1	$8.42	$3.85
EV Truck/SUV	38.5	$13.47	$6.16

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 2 days ago

Origin

Haverhill, MA

Afternoon in Haverhill on Sunday

Local time

3:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, MA

Afternoon in Amherst on Sunday

Local time

3:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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

2h 17m 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 Haverhill, MA to Amherst, MA covers 96.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Concord Turnpike, I 495, Daniel Shays Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 48.1 miles from Haverhill, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.31 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.

Between Haverhill, MA and Amherst, MA, road signs point toward Nashua New Hampshire and Belchertown.

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Return Trip

Amherst, MA to Haverhill, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

96.1 mi 2h 17m

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Trip from Haverhill, MA to Amherst, MA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Amherst, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Haverhill, MA

Amherst, MA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 17m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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