Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
85.4 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
The drive from Waltham, MA to Amherst Center, MA covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Weston Street, South Street, River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.60 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
42.7 miles from Waltham, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 57m drive with frequent turns across 85.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Weston Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Massachusetts Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MA 32 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Thorndike Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Waltham, MA and Amherst Center, MA.
Start on Main Street
Turn left onto Weston Street
Turn left onto South Street
Continue on River Road
Take the ramp left toward I 90, Mass Pike: Boston, Albany New York
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
Continue on I 90 West, Mass Pike West: Warcester, Albany New York
Continue straight
Merge slight left onto Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Massachusetts Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware
Turn right onto Thorndike Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
Continue on North Main Street
Continue on Sykes Street
Turn left onto Palmer Street
Continue on Palmer Road
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Continue on Belchertown Street
Continue on South Liberty Street
Continue on North Washington Street
Turn straight onto South Main Street
Turn left onto Federal Street
Continue on Federal Street
Continue on USMC League Highway
Continue on Belchertown Road
Continue on Belchertown Road
Continue on College Street
Turn right onto Dickinson Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
Turn left onto Boltwood Avenue
Arrive at your 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 80 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 58m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst Center, MA than in the middle of the route.
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 85.4 miles and 1h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Waltham, MA · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Waltham, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Amherst Center, 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 Amherst Center, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.60 one way
$23.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $12.94 | $25.89 |
| premium | $4.15 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $12.61 | $25.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 Waltham on Saturday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Amherst Center on Saturday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Agawam, MA
43 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.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
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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