The drive from Quincy, MA to Amherst, MA covers 101.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, South Liberty Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.23 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
50.7 miles from Quincy, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 101.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 21m highway drive covering 101.4 miles, with most of the trip on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 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 71.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and Federal Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hancock Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 101.4 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 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hancock Street
Turn right onto Hancock Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Merge onto MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
7.2 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward South Station, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward South Station, Airport
7
7.7 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward South Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward South Station
7
8.1 mi into trip|~15m in|Albany Street
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Quincy, MA and Amherst, MA, road signs point toward Station, Airport, Worcester and Ware.
Station
7.2 mi in|~12m
Airport
7.2 mi in|~12m
Worcester
8.2 mi in|~15m
Ware
79.8 mi in|~1h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
71.4 mi
1h 24m
Federal Street
5.6 mi
10m
South Liberty Street
4.1 mi
7m
Southeast Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Newport Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
North Washington Street
2.1 mi
3m
Belchertown Road
2.1 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quincy, MA and Amherst, MA.
1
Start on Faxon Avenue
362 ft·17 sec·Faxon Avenue
2
Turn right onto Coddington Street
265 ft·7 sec·Coddington Street
3
Turn right onto Hancock Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Hancock Street
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Adams Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Adams Street
5
Turn right onto Newport Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn slight left onto MA 3A
0.3 mi·33 sec·Hancock Street
7
Continue on MA 3A
0.2 mi·19 sec·Neponset Avenue
8
Merge onto MA 3A
247 ft·6 sec·William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Take the exit onto MA 3A
0.3 mi·34 sec·MA 3A
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
10
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.3 mi·4 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
0.2 mi·19 sec·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward South Station, AirportUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward South StationUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left
252 ft·15 sec
15
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Street
35 ft·1 sec·Albany Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 90 West: Mass Pike, Worcester
17
Merge onto I 90
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
16 mi·18 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 63Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
20
Turn right onto MA 32
0.8 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the right lane.
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 20
0.8 mi·59 sec·North Main Street
22
Continue on MA 181
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
23
Continue on MA 181
0.1 mi·19 sec·Sykes Street
24
Turn left onto Palmer Street
192 ft·5 sec·Palmer Street
25
Continue on Palmer Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Palmer Road
26
Turn right onto Bridge Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Bridge Street
27
Continue on Belchertown Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Belchertown Street
28
Continue on South Liberty Street
4.1 mi·7 min·South Liberty Street
29
Continue on North Washington Street
2.1 mi·3 min·North Washington Street
30
Turn straight onto MA 181
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
31
Turn left onto MA 9
1.3 mi·2 min·Federal Street
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on Federal Street
4.3 mi·7 min·Federal Street
33
Continue on MA 9
391 ft·6 sec·USMC League Highway
34
Continue on MA 9
2.0 mi·3 min·Belchertown Road
35
Continue on MA 9
378 ft·12 sec·Belchertown Road
36
Continue on MA 9
1.0 mi·2 min·College Street
37
Turn left onto MA 116
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Pleasant Street
38
Turn left onto Depot Road
449 ft·19 sec·Depot Road
39
Arrive at destination
Depot Road
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 50.7 miles from Quincy, MA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 47m
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 Quincy, 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 Quincy, MA
This is one driving day of about 101.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Quincy, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.7 mi from Quincy, MA
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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.
. . . 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...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 97.9
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.23 one way
$32.46 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$17.70
$35.39
premium
$4.82
$19.25
$38.51
diesel
$5.61
$22.39
$44.78
Estimated Tolls: $4.29
Massachusetts Turnpike
(71.4 mi)$4.29
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
$16
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Amherst, Massachusetts
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Amherst, MA
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Hadley, Massachusetts
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Amherst, Massachusetts
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.87
$4.06
EV Truck/SUV
40.6
0
$14.20
$6.49
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Quincy, MA
Night
in Quincy on Friday
Local time
10:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, MA
Night
in Amherst on Friday
Local time
10:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
51 mi in
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
23 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
2h 21m 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 Quincy, MA to Amherst, MA covers 101.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, Federal Street, South Liberty Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.7 miles from Quincy, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.23 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 is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 101.4 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 0.1 miles (Hancock Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MA 3A / William T. Morrissey Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Quincy, MA and Amherst, MA, road signs point toward Station, Airport, Worcester and Ware.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
