The drive from Plymouth, MA to Amesbury, MA covers 79.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pilgrims Highway, I 95, US 1 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.5 miles on Pilgrims Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.66 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.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Plymouth, 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 45m. Total distance: 79.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Plymouth, MA to Amesbury, MA covers 79.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m, 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 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pilgrims Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 27.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.2 miles (US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway
Merge onto US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
40.3 mi into trip|~54m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 19
Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
5
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward MA 110 East: Salisbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 88A
Toward MA 110 East: Salisbury
6
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|MA 110 / Macy Street
Turn sharp left onto MA 110 / Macy Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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 Plymouth, MA to Amesbury, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Revere along the way.
Revere
40.3 mi in|~54m|via US 1
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pilgrims Highway
27.5 mi
34m
I 95
21.6 mi
24m
US 1
12.9 mi
18m
MA 3
8.4 mi
11m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
Elm Street
1.7 mi
3m
Newbury Street
1.5 mi
2m
Samoset Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 27.5 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MA and Amesbury, MA.
1
Start on MA 3A
0.2 mi·42 sec·Court Street
2
Turn left onto US 44
0.7 mi·1 min·Samoset Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 44
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 44
Toward MA 3 North: Kingston, Boston
4
Merge onto US 44; MA 3
27 mi·34 min·Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi·11 min·MA 3
Exit 43BToward I 93 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
13 mi·18 min·US 1
Exit 19Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, RevereUse the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on US 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Newbury Street
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
10
Merge onto I 95
22 mi·24 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 88AToward MA 110 East: Salisbury
12
Turn sharp left onto MA 110
0.3 mi·35 sec·Macy Street
13
Turn right onto Elm Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Elm Street
14
Continue on MA 150
177 ft·3 sec·Market Street
15
Arrive at destination
MA 150
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 39.6 miles from Plymouth, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 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 Amesbury, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plymouth, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plymouth, MA
This is one driving day of about 79.1 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Plymouth, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pilgrims Highway for about 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from Plymouth, MA
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Plymouth, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Amesbury, MA
The final approach into Amesbury, 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.
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.
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 40.9
Park Closure: Dorchester Heights Temporary Public Access Restrictions
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 54.6
. . . 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 35.5
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 40.9
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 62.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.66 one way
$25.32 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$13.81
$27.61
premium
$4.82
$15.02
$30.04
diesel
$5.61
$17.46
$34.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.31
$3.80
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.92
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Plymouth, MA
Night
in Plymouth on Friday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amesbury, MA
Night
in Amesbury on Friday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
21 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 45m 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 Plymouth, MA to Amesbury, MA covers 79.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, I 95, US 1. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.6 miles from Plymouth, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.66 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 79.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.2 miles (US 44; MA 3 / Pilgrims Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Plymouth, MA to Amesbury, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Revere along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
