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Trip from Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

61.5 mi

99 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

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

Downtown Plymouth, MA, MA

Plymouth, MA

Wikimedia Commons

island of Massachusetts, United States

Nantucket, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 61.5-mile journey from Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via Mid Cape Highway and the Hyannis - Nantucket route, with a minimal highway share of 0%, indicating a more local driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, this trip is quite economical. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a need for attention as you navigate. It's a straightforward drive within the Northeast region, perfect for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 61.5-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.3 miles on Hyannis - Nantucket, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns commence. This driving profile means you'll be actively engaged, making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a high-speed highway. The character of the road is consistent, focusing on local connectivity and requiring your full attention throughout the 3-hour duration.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hyannis - Nantucket is the longest continuous segment at about 28.3 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 2 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 61.5 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 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

6
2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6
28.2 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis

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

Exit 68 Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
5
28.4 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
61.3 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | South Water Street

Turn left onto South Water Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
61.4 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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 Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.

Hyannis

28.2 mi in | ~39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Hyannis - Nantucket 28.3 mi 2h 14m
Mid Cape Highway 12.8 mi 17m
Pilgrims Highway 12.6 mi 15m
Iyannough Road 2.8 mi 5m
South Street 1.6 mi 3m
Barnstable Road 0.9 mi 2m
Sagamore Bridge 0.4 mi <1m
Court Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Hyannis - Nantucket — 28.3 mi, about 2h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MA and Nantucket, MA.

1

Start on MA 3A

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Court Street
2

Continue on MA 3A

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Main Street Extension
3

Continue on MA 3A

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Sandwich Street
4

Turn right onto South Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South Street
5

Take the ramp

473 ft · 11 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
7

Merge onto MA 3

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Pilgrims Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3

12 mi · 15 min · Pilgrims Highway
9

Continue on MA 3

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Pilgrim Highway
10

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge
11

Continue on US 6

13 mi · 17 min · Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 68 Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
13

Keep slight left at fork

304 ft · 8 sec
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
15

Turn straight onto MA 132

2.8 mi · 5 min · Iyannough Road
16

Enter roundabout onto Barnstable Road

228 ft · 4 sec · Barnstable Road
17

Continue on Barnstable Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Barnstable Road
18

Continue on Ocean Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Ocean Street
19

Turn left onto South Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Street
20

Turn right onto South Street Dock

369 ft · 28 sec · South Street Dock
21

Turn left onto Slip 1

51 ft · 3 sec · Slip 1
22

Continue on Slip 1

197 ft · 14 sec · Slip 1
23

Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket

28 mi · 2 hr 14 min · Hyannis - Nantucket
24

Continue on Slip 1

143 ft · 13 sec · Slip 1
25

Turn left onto Steamboat Wharf

67 ft · 7 sec · Steamboat Wharf
26

Continue on Steamboat Wharf

244 ft · 8 sec · Steamboat Wharf
27

Continue on Broad Street

397 ft · 19 sec · Broad Street
28

Turn left onto South Water Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South Water Street
Use the right lane.
29

Turn right onto Main Street

513 ft · 16 sec · Main Street
Use the right lane.
30

Turn right onto Centre Street

120 ft · 3 sec · Centre Street
31

Arrive at destination

Centre Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour, 6-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 61.5-mile drive, consider departing early to maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $10, planning is minimal, allowing for flexibility. Pay close attention to navigation, especially during the 28.3-mile stretch on Hyannis - Nantucket, as frequent turns are a defining characteristic. Being in Massachusetts for both the start and end points, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines, simplifying your journey.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 61.5 miles or 3h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30.7 miles or 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nantucket, 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.

+

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 Plymouth, MA

This is one driving day of about 61.5 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Plymouth, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Hyannis - Nantucket for about 28.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.7 mi from Plymouth, MA · 44m into the drive

capital and largest city of Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boston, MA

31 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

Norwell, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fall River, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Plymouth, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Nantucket, MA

The final approach into Nantucket, 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 Nantucket, 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

$9.84 one way

$19.68 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $10.73 $21.47
premium $4.82 $11.68 $23.36
diesel $5.61 $13.58 $27.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.5 0 $6.46 $2.95
Efficient EV 15.4 0 $5.38 $2.46
EV Truck/SUV 24.6 0 $8.61 $3.94

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 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 5 days ago

Origin

Plymouth, MA

Morning in Plymouth on Wednesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Nantucket, MA

Morning in Nantucket on Wednesday

Local time

6:35 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

3h 6m 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 Nantucket, MA covers 61.5 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hyannis - Nantucket, 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 30.7 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 $9.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 61.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Plymouth, MA to Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.

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