Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
49.3 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Photo: Gundula Vogel
The drive from South Boston, MA to Fall River, MA covers 49.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Amvets Highway, Southeast Expressway, I 93 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.7 miles on Amvets Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.85 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.7 miles from South Boston, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 3m drive with frequent turns across 49.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 early in the drive near Mercer Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 49.3 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: near the start (Mercer Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 93; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Mercer Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left toward I-93 South, US 1 South: Quincy, Cape Cod
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1 toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from South Boston, MA to Fall River, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerset along the way.
Somerset
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Amvets Highway | 32.7 mi | 37m |
| Southeast Expressway | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| I 93 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Western Fall River Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Durfee Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Old Colony Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Columbia Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Dorchester Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between South Boston, MA and Fall River, MA.
Start on Dorchester Street
Turn right onto Mercer Street
Turn right onto Telegraph Street
At end of road, turn left onto Dorchester Street
Turn left onto Old Colony Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Old Colony Avenue
Continue on Old Colony Avenue
Turn straight onto Columbia Road
Enter roundabout onto Columbia Road
Continue on Columbia Road
Turn left
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1
Take the exit
Continue on MA 24
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79
Turn left
Turn right onto Durfee Street
Turn left onto Bank Street
Turn right onto Purchase Street
Continue on Purchase Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 49.3 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.7 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall River, MA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving South Boston, 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 South Boston, MA
This is one driving day of about 49.3 miles and 1h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.7 mi from South Boston, MA · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 49.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from South Boston, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fall River, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.85 one way
$15.69 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $8.53 | $17.07 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.31 | $18.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.95 | $21.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in South Boston on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Fall River on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
25 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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