Driving Directions Andover, MA
If you’re planning a trip to Andover, MA by car, getting there from nearby cities is straightforward and offers a classic New England drive.
From Boston, most drivers simply head north on I-93. Depending on your starting neighborhood, you’ll connect with I-93 via the Zakim Bridge or the O’Neill Tunnel and follow it for roughly 20–25 miles. As you approach the Andover area, you’ll use one of the Andover exits (clearly marked) and then follow local roads toward downtown or your specific destination. Traffic can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours, so it’s smart to build in extra time if you’re traveling on weekdays.
Coming from Worcester and central Massachusetts, you’ll typically take I-290 or local routes to connect with I-495 north or east. I-495 circles the outer suburbs of Greater Boston and passes directly through Andover. Once you’re on I-495, simply follow it until you reach the Andover exits, then transition onto local roads. This route is popular with travelers who want to avoid driving through downtown Boston and prefer a more suburban corridor.
If you’re driving from New Hampshire cities like Manchester or Concord, Andover is conveniently located just south of the state line. From Manchester, follow I-93 south straight into Massachusetts and continue until you reach the Andover exits. From coastal New Hampshire and Maine, many drivers take I-95 south and then connect to I-495, or cut across on local routes, to reach Andover, making it an easy stop on a longer New England road trip.
Travelers coming from Providence or other parts of Rhode Island generally drive north on I-95 toward Boston and then either continue to the I-93 interchange or shift onto I-495 to approach Andover from the west. Both options work; your choice usually depends on traffic and whether you’d like to swing closer to the city or stay on the outer beltway. From New York City and southern Connecticut, the most common route is I-95 north through Rhode Island and into Massachusetts, then connecting with either I-93 or I-495 for the final stretch into Andover.
No matter which direction you’re coming from, Andover benefits from its location near the intersection of I-93 and I-495, which makes it easy to reach from many major metro areas in New England. For the smoothest experience, check real-time traffic before you leave, choose the highway combination that best fits your starting point, and note your exit number ahead of time. Once you arrive, you’ll find that navigating between the highways, downtown Andover, and nearby attractions is relatively simple, with clear signage and well-maintained roads.