Origin
Waltham, MA
Evening in Waltham on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
49.1 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waltham, MA
Pixabay
Plymouth, MA
Ajdin Coric
Trip Overview
Traveling from Waltham to Plymouth covers a 49.1-mile stretch through Massachusetts, typically taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a single day of travel rather than an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, this trip is highly affordable for a quick getaway between the two Northeast locations. You will navigate exclusively via local roads, avoiding highways entirely throughout the journey. It is a straightforward route that works best for travelers who prefer local roads over the fast-paced nature of interstate travel.
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
24.6 miles from Waltham, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than your typical highway commute, as this 49.1-mile journey is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, relying instead on a series of local streets including Elm, River, and Farwell. Because you are navigating local roads, there is no long, uninterrupted stretch; your longest segment is 0 miles on Elm Street, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments behind the wheel. The personality of this drive is technical and engaging, requiring your full attention as you transition between local road segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Elm Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Elm Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| River Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Farwell Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Crafts Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Centre Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Saint James Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Elm Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham, MA and Plymouth, MA.
1
Start on Main Street
184 ft
·
9 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Elm Street
3
Turn left onto River Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
4
Turn right onto Farwell Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Farwell Street
5
Continue on North Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Street
6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Crafts Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Crafts Street
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
8
Turn straight onto Centre Street
443 ft
·
16 sec
·
Centre Street
9
Continue on Centre Street
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
Centre Street
10
Take the ramp slight left toward Centre Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Centre Street
11
Continue on Washington Street
285 ft
·
7 sec
·
Washington Street
12
Keep slight left to continue on Washington Street
302 ft
·
6 sec
·
Washington Street
13
Continue on Saint James Street
180 ft
·
4 sec
·
Saint James Street
14
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Boston
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 90 East: Boston
15
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
16
Take the exit slight left toward I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy
512 ft
·
13 sec
·
I 93: South Station, Concord New Hampshire, Quincy
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord New Hampshire
453 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 93 South, I 93 North: Quincy, Concord New Hampshire
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 93 South: Quincy
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 93 South: Quincy
19
Merge slight right onto John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
20
Continue on Southeast Expressway
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Southeast Expressway
21
Keep slight left to continue on MA 3 South: Cape Cod
28 mi
·
35 min
·
MA 3 South: Cape Cod
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 44 West: Samoset Street, Carver
23
Turn straight onto Samoset Street
253 ft
·
10 sec
·
Samoset Street
24
Continue on Samoset Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Samoset Street
25
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Court Street
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 10 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding local rush hour traffic is always a smart move. Since there are no planned stops on this 49.1-mile route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $7 estimated gas cost is based on a direct trip. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on local streets like Farwell and River means you will be making many turns throughout the drive. Because this route is short and manageable, you can easily complete the trip in one go without the need for mid-way rest breaks.
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 24.6 miles from Waltham, MA, or about 35m into the drive.
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 49.1 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.6 miles or 35m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waltham, 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 Waltham, MA
This is one driving day of about 49.1 miles and 1h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waltham, MA.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Waltham, MA · 35m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Plymouth, MA
The final approach into Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, 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
$7.82 one way
$15.63 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $8.50 | $17.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.28 | $18.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
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 | 14.7 | 0 | $5.16 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
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.
Destination
Plymouth, MA
Evening in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 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
1h 10m 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 Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA covers 49.1 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Elm Street, River Street, Farwell Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.6 miles from Waltham, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.82 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.
The drive from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waltham, MA to Plymouth, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plymouth, MA
More trips to Plymouth, MA
Explore more options from Waltham, MA or browse trips ending in Plymouth, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
Explore maps for Waltham, MA or Plymouth, MA on MapSof.net.