We're planning to visit Amherst in mid-April. We thought we might see Gloucester and Rockport before we get there. How long does it take to drive to either of those cities from Boston and then how long from those cities to Amherst?
Also, is there any sense in flying into Hartford instead of Boston if we want to see Gloucester and Rockport?
I realize I can look at a map and get some idea, but it's usually better to ask people who know about the timing.
Thanks.
Grandot

First, geography. Amherst is due west from Boston. Gloucester/Rockport are northeast. (Gloucester and Rockport are contiguous, with Rockport being farther northeast). Hartford does not even enter into the picture for Gloucester since it is southwest of everything you mention - and there are not a lot of flights from most places anyway.

Driving times - picture a triangle. Amherst-Boston is about 2 hours. Boston to Gloucester/Rockport is about an hour. If you drove Amherst to Gloucester along the long side of the triangle, it is just 2 1/2 hours or a bit more.

How you do this depends on the length and nature of your trip. Since you mention seeing Cape Ann first, I would fly into Boston, drive to Cape Ann. Spend the night, look around, and then drive to Amherst. Whenever you are returning, drive back to Boston and leave (it is an easy route in/out of Logan airport to the north or west)

One other advisory - the Boston Marathon is M 4/18 - should not really effect your trip/route as described above but if you are spending a night in Boston that weekend you will find availability lower and prices higher.

Flying into Hartford would not help much for your trip. It would be easier for the ride to Amherst, but Manchester NH is the airport that many in the Gloucester/Rockport area use to avoid driving into Boston.

If you are arriving during Marathon time, it would be wise to arrange the trip to avoid the city unless you actually want to participate as a runner or spectator. That would make flying into Manchester then going to Gloucester/Rockport and then to Boston or Amherst depending on timing and then back to Manchester. Many people in middle of MA also use the Manchester airport.

Driving times are very traffic related near Boston. I've been stopped on 95/128 for quitee a while when there has been a fender bender or even just heavy traffic.

Outside of rush hour on a weekday, Logan would be quicker to Gloucester/Rockport than Manchester, NH. I don't believe the Marathon would affect you if you are going straight to Cape Ann from Logan. You wouldn't be driving through Boston.

Gloucester to Boston takes about 55-60 minutes when there isn't much traffic. It's a couple minutes less to Logan. Gloucester to Hartford is 2 1/2 hours. Gloucester to Manchester, NH is about 75 minutes.