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Trip from Smithfield, RI to Providence, RI

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

19m

Distance

10.4 mi

17 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 18m ★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 18m ★

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

Downtown Smithfield, RI, RI

Smithfield, RI

Connor Scott McManus

capital city of Rhode Island, United States

Providence, RI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 16.3-mile drive from Smithfield, RI, to Providence, RI, will take you about 22 minutes to complete. Since it's such a short trip, it's perfect for a single day, with no need for an overnight stay. You'll primarily travel on local roads like Farnum Pike, Waterman Avenue, and the Centerdale Bypass, with no highway driving involved. Budget around $3 for fuel for this quick journey. The overall feel is a straightforward local connection within the Northeast region. This route is ideal if you're looking for a simple, direct transit between these two Rhode Island locations.

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

5.2 miles from Smithfield, RI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 16.3-mile stretch. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating city streets and local thoroughfares for the full 22 minutes. The route is characterized by frequent turns and changes in road name, including Farnum Pike, Waterman Avenue, and the Centerdale Bypass. There isn't a particularly long uninterrupted stretch, so stay alert for traffic signals and intersections. This drive will feel like a typical local commute, connecting you through various neighborhoods rather than a sweeping scenic journey.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Smith Street is the longest continuous segment at about 4.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near RI 5; RI 104 / Farnum Pike.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (RI 5; RI 104 / Farnum Pike): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 44 / Centerdale Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 44 / Smith Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | RI 5; RI 104 / Farnum Pike

Turn left onto RI 5; RI 104 / Farnum Pike

Navigation decision point

3
5.6 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 44 / Centerdale Bypass

Turn right onto US 44 / Centerdale Bypass

Navigation decision point

3
5.6 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 44 / Smith Street

Turn left onto US 44 / Smith Street

Navigation decision point

5
5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 44 / Smith Street

Enter roundabout onto US 44 / Smith Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
10.4 mi into trip | ~19m in | Fulton Street

Turn right onto Fulton Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Smith Street 4.1 mi 7m
Farnum Pike 4 mi 7m
Waterman Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Francis Street 0.5 mi 1m
Dorrance Street 0.1 mi <1m
Centerdale Bypass <0.1 mi <1m
Fulton Street <0.1 mi <1m
Brayton Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Smith Street — 4.1 mi, about 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smithfield, RI and Providence, RI.

1

Start on Brayton Road

22 ft · 3 sec · Brayton Road
2

Turn left onto RI 5; RI 104

4.0 mi · 7 min · Farnum Pike
3

Continue on RI 104

1.6 mi · 2 min · Waterman Avenue
4

Turn right onto US 44

185 ft · 3 sec · Centerdale Bypass
5

Turn left onto US 44

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Smith Street
6

Enter roundabout onto US 44

93 ft · 1 sec · Smith Street
7

Continue on US 44

3.9 mi · 7 min · Smith Street
8

Turn right onto Francis Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Francis Street
9

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Francis Street
10

Continue on US 1

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Dorrance Street
11

Turn right onto Fulton Street

139 ft · 4 sec · Fulton Street
12

Arrive at destination

Fulton Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 22-minute duration and 16.3-mile distance, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart anytime, but consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid local traffic, especially on Waterman Avenue. Since there are no major highways and the fuel cost is only an estimated $3, stops for gas aren't a primary concern. However, keep an eye out for the numerous turns; using GPS is highly recommended to navigate Farnum Pike and the Centerdale Bypass smoothly. You won't need to plan for extended rest stops due to the short travel time.

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 5.2 miles from Smithfield, RI, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.1 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 10.4 miles or 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 5.2 miles or 9m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Providence, RI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Smithfield, RI 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 Smithfield, RI

This is one driving day of about 10.4 miles and 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Smithfield, RI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Smith Street for about 4.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 5.2 mi from Smithfield, RI · 9m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

5 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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Smithfield, RI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Providence, RI

The final approach into Providence, RI 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 Providence, RI.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.67 one way

$3.35 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $1.84 $3.68
premium $4.86 $1.99 $3.98
diesel $5.61 $2.30 $4.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 3.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.1 0 $1.09 $0.50
Efficient EV 2.6 0 $0.91 $0.42
EV Truck/SUV 4.2 0 $1.46 $0.67

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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

Smithfield, RI

Night in Smithfield on Tuesday

Local time

9:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Providence, RI

Night in Providence on Tuesday

Local time

9:56 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

5 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

1 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

19m 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 Smithfield, RI to Providence, RI covers 10.4 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Smith Street, Farnum Pike, Waterman Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 miles from Smithfield, RI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.67 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 is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (RI 5; RI 104 / Farnum Pike): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 44 / Centerdale Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 44 / Smith Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Smithfield, RI to Providence, RI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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