Skip to main content

Trip from Newton, MA to South Dennis, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 57m

Distance

85.8 mi

138 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 49m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m

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

Downtown Newton, MA, MA

Newton, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown South Dennis, MA, MA

South Dennis, MA

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

The drive from Newton, MA to South Dennis, MA covers 85.8 miles and takes about 1h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.1 miles on MA 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.73 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

42.9 miles from Newton, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Newton, MA to South Dennis, MA covers 85.8 miles and takes about 1h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.1 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 around 3.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

8
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 95 South
8
12.1 mi into trip | ~19m in | US 1

Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston

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 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
8
19 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintree

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintre...
6
19.5 mi into trip | ~29m in | MA 3

Merge onto MA 3 toward Cape Cod

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Cape Cod
6
84.7 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward MA 134 South: West Harwich, Dennisport

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

Exit 78A Toward MA 134 South: West Harwich, Dennisport

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Newton, MA and South Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Plymouth, Braintree and Cape Cod.

Plymouth

19 mi in | ~28m

Braintree

19 mi in | ~28m

Cape Cod

19.5 mi in | ~29m | via MA 3

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MA 3 30.1 mi 38m
Mid Cape Highway 22.5 mi 30m
Pilgrims Highway 12 mi 15m
Yankee Division Highway 8.2 mi 11m
US 1 6.7 mi 9m
Walnut Street 1.1 mi 2m
Needham Street 0.8 mi 1m
Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: MA 3 — 30.1 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newton, MA and South Dennis, MA.

1

Start on Homer Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Homer Street
2

Turn right onto Walnut Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
3

Turn right onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Centre Street
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on Winchester Street

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Winchester Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn straight onto Needham Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Needham Street
6

Continue on Highland Avenue

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Highland Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 95 South: Canton Use the right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 95 South Use the slight left lane.
10

Merge onto I 95; MA 128

8.2 mi · 11 min · Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 1

6.7 mi · 9 min · US 1
Exit 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 7 Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod, Plymouth, Braintree Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto MA 3

30 mi · 38 min · MA 3
Toward Cape Cod Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3

12 mi · 15 min · Pilgrims Highway
16

Continue on MA 3

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Pilgrim Highway
17

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge
18

Continue on US 6

22 mi · 30 min · Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 78A Toward MA 134 South: West Harwich, Dennisport
20

Turn straight onto MA 134

445 ft · 12 sec · East West Dennis Road
21

Turn right onto Market Place

156 ft · 7 sec · Market Place
22

Continue on Market Place

514 ft · 22 sec · Market Place
23

Continue on Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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 42.9 miles from Newton, MA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.9 miles or 59m 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 38m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Newton, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Newton, MA

This is one driving day of about 85.8 miles and 1h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Newton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MA 3 for about 30.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.9 mi from Newton, MA · 59m into the drive

city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, MA

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

Quincy, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.9 miles from Newton, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in South Dennis, MA

The final approach into South Dennis, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.73 one way

$27.46 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $14.97 $29.95
premium $4.82 $16.29 $32.58
diesel $5.61 $18.94 $37.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.7 0 $9.01 $4.12
Efficient EV 21.5 0 $7.51 $3.43
EV Truck/SUV 34.3 0 $12.01 $5.49

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 15, 2026

Origin

Newton, MA

Evening in Newton on Wednesday

Local time

8:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Dennis, MA

Evening in South Dennis on Wednesday

Local time

8:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

8 degrees cooler 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 Newton, MA to South Dennis, MA covers 85.8 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 MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.9 miles from Newton, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.73 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 85.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Newton, MA and South Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Plymouth, Braintree and Cape Cod.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Newton, MA or browse trips ending in South Dennis, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Explore maps for Newton, MA or South Dennis, MA on MapSof.net.