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Trip from Wales, MA to Fall River, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

81.4 mi

131 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

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

Downtown Wales, MA, MA

Wales, MA

Lisa from Pexels

Trip Overview

Traveling from Wales to Fall River covers 81.4 miles across Massachusetts, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within the Northeast, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate via the Massachusetts Turnpike, Providence Pike, and the East Providence Expressway. This route is ideal if you are looking for an efficient transit between these two distinct areas of the state.

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

40.7 miles from Wales, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. About 58% of your journey will take place on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Massachusetts Turnpike, spanning 14.8 miles. As you transition between the turnpike and the expressways, the road character shifts from open highway cruising to more varied driving conditions. Staying alert is key as the road profile changes, keeping you engaged behind the wheel for the duration of the 81.4-mile trek.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 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 14.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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
27.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence

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

Exit 94 Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
6
28.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MA 146 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MA 146 South
8
64 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | US 6

Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape Cod

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 36A Toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence,...
8
67.3 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
9
80.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown Fall River

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12 Toward Downtown Fall River

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Wales, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.

Providence

27.8 mi in | ~38m

Cape Cod

64 mi in | ~1h 22m | via US 6

Seekonk

67.3 mi in | ~1h 28m | via I 195; US 1A; US 6

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 14.8 mi 17m
East Providence Expressway 13.5 mi 16m
Providence Pike 7.7 mi 8m
Eddie Dowling Highway 7.5 mi 8m
Worcester Providence Turnpike 7 mi 8m
North Smithfield Expressway 5.7 mi 6m
Sturbridge Road 4 mi 5m
Main Street 3.7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 14.8 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wales, MA and Fall River, MA.

1

Start on MA 19

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Main Street
2

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 19

2.0 mi · 3 min · Main Street
3

Continue on MA 19

2.1 mi · 3 min · Wales Road
4

Turn right onto US 20

4.0 mi · 5 min · Sturbridge Road
5

Continue on US 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · Brimfield Road
6

Continue on US 20

1.6 mi · 3 min · Main Street
7

Continue on US 20

0.6 mi · 1 min · Charlton Road
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
9

Merge onto I 84

1.4 mi · 2 min · Wilbur Cross Highway
10

Merge onto I 90

15 mi · 17 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 94 Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
12

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 33 sec · this road
Toward MA 146, US 20
13

Turn right

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward MA 146
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward MA 146 South
15

Merge onto MA 122A; MA 146

1.6 mi · 2 min · Worcester-Providence Turnpike
16

Continue on MA 146

0.9 mi · 1 min · Purple Heart Highway
17

Continue on MA 146

7.0 mi · 8 min · Worcester Providence Turnpike
18

Continue on MA 146

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Purple Heart Highway
19

Continue on MA 146

7.7 mi · 8 min · Providence Pike
20

Continue on MA 146

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Purple Heart Highway
21

Continue on RI 146

5.7 mi · 6 min · North Smithfield Expressway
22

Continue on RI 146

7.5 mi · 8 min · Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on RI 146

2.9 mi · 3 min · Old Louisquisset Pike
24

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit onto US 6

3.3 mi · 5 min · US 6
Exit 36A Toward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape Cod Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 195; US 1A; US 6

13 mi · 16 min · East Providence Expressway
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 12-13 Toward MA 81 South: Plymouth Avenue, Hartwell Street
28

Keep slight right at fork

482 ft · 12 sec
Exit 12 Toward Downtown Fall River Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn right onto Hartwell Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Hartwell Street
30

Continue on Troy Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Troy Street
31

Turn left onto Bedford Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Bedford Street
32

Turn left onto Purchase Street

269 ft · 19 sec · Purchase Street
33

Arrive at destination

Purchase Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever suits you best. With no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though planning for a quick break helps keep you fresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $13 estimated cost is a baseline that can fluctuate based on traffic conditions. Given that the route incorporates several different major roads, double-check your GPS navigation before heading out to ensure you stay on the correct expressways. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Fall River with time to spare for your activities.

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 40.7 miles from Wales, MA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.8 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 18 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.7 miles or 56m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall River, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wales, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Wales, MA

This is one driving day of about 81.4 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Wales, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 14.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.7 mi from Wales, MA · 56m into the drive

town in Massachusetts, US

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grafton, MA

41 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

Southbridge, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grafton, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from Wales, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fall River, MA

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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.03 one way

$26.05 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $14.21 $28.41
premium $4.82 $15.46 $30.91
diesel $5.61 $17.97 $35.94

Estimated Tolls: $1.49

Massachusetts Turnpike (14.8 mi) $0.89
Worcester Providence Turnpike (7 mi) $0.49
Worcester-Providence Turnpike (1.6 mi) $0.11

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

$13

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.4 0 $8.55 $3.91
Efficient EV 20.4 0 $7.12 $3.26
EV Truck/SUV 32.6 0 $11.40 $5.21

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (64% 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

Wales, MA

Evening in Wales on Wednesday

Local time

8:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fall River, MA

Evening in Fall River on Wednesday

Local time

8:25 PM

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

1h 46m 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 Wales, MA to Fall River, MA covers 81.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, East Providence Expressway, Providence Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.7 miles from Wales, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.03 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 81.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 27.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wales, MA and Fall River, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.

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