This 85.4-mile drive from Palmer, MA, to Fall River, MA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 1 hour and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Massachusetts Turnpike and the East Providence Expressway, making it a highway-focused journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $14, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive is contained entirely within Massachusetts, a familiar region for many. Its efficiency makes it a solid choice when you need to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Palmer, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 85.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, with 73% of the route utilizing major expressways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be a solid 30.4 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, allowing for steady progress. While much of the journey is on high-speed roads like the East Providence Expressway, you'll also navigate sections of Providence Pike, which may offer a change of pace. This profile suggests a route designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 30.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and East Providence Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.8 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
8
68 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape Cod
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 36A
Toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence,...
8
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
9
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Fall River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Downtown Fall River
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palmer, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Providence
31.8 mi in|~37m
Cape Cod
68 mi in|~1h 22m|via US 6
Seekonk
71.3 mi in|~1h 27m|via I 195; US 1A; US 6
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
30.4 mi
35m
East Providence Expressway
13.5 mi
16m
Providence Pike
7.7 mi
8m
Eddie Dowling Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Worcester Providence Turnpike
7 mi
8m
North Smithfield Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
US 6
3.3 mi
5m
Old Louisquisset Pike
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 30.4 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, MA and Fall River, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
189 ft·8 sec·Pleasant Street
2
Merge onto US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·7 sec
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
6
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·35 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 94Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·33 sec·this road
Toward MA 146, US 20
9
Turn right
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward MA 146
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward MA 146 South
11
Merge onto MA 122A; MA 146
1.6 mi·2 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
12
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
13
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·8 min·Worcester Providence Turnpike
14
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·22 sec·Purple Heart Highway
15
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
16
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·15 sec·Purple Heart Highway
17
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
18
Continue on RI 146
7.5 mi·8 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on RI 146
2.9 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
20
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi·1 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto US 6
3.3 mi·5 min·US 6
Exit 36AToward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape CodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6
13 mi·16 min·East Providence Expressway
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MAUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 12-13Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street
24
Keep slight right at fork
482 ft·12 sec
Exit 12Toward Downtown Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Hartwell Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Hartwell Street
26
Continue on Troy Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Troy Street
27
Turn left onto Bedford Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bedford Street
28
Turn left onto Purchase Street
269 ft·19 sec·Purchase Street
29
Arrive at destination
Purchase Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 46-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider leaving early to bypass potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, you'll want to plan for restroom breaks as needed. The longest stretch without a turn-off is over 30 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, which can be a good benchmark for your budget.
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 42.7 miles from Palmer, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 53m 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 29m
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 Palmer, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palmer, MA
This is one driving day of about 85.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Palmer, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Palmer, MA
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Palmer, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fall River, MA
The final approach into Fall River, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
"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 85.4
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...
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 32.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.67 one way
$27.33 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$14.90
$29.81
premium
$4.82
$16.22
$32.43
diesel
$5.61
$18.86
$37.71
Estimated Tolls: $2.43
Massachusetts Turnpike
(30.4 mi)$1.83
Worcester Providence Turnpike
(7 mi)$0.49
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(1.6 mi)$0.11
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 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
25.6
0
$8.97
$4.10
Efficient EV
21.4
0
$7.47
$3.42
EV Truck/SUV
34.2
0
$11.96
$5.47
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
Palmer, MA
Late night
in Palmer on Friday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fall River, MA
Late night
in Fall River on Friday
Local time
5:01 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 46m 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 Palmer, MA to Fall River, MA covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, East Providence Expressway, Providence Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 miles from Palmer, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.67 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 85.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Palmer, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
