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Trip from Adams, MA to New Bedford, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

165.3 mi

266 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Adams, MA, MA

Adams, MA

Вальдемар

city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States

New Bedford, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Adams, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 165.3 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, East Providence Expressway, I 195 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.45 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

82.6 miles from Adams, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 44.3 mi 51m
East Providence Expressway 15.4 mi 19m
I 195 10.2 mi 12m
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
Savoy Road 5.6 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 44.3 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Adams, MA and New Bedford, MA.

1

Start on this road

327 ft · 29 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Depot Street

337 ft · 19 sec · Depot Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Hoosac Street

101 ft · 11 sec · Hoosac Street
4

At end of road, turn left onto MA 8

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Columbia Street
5

Continue on MA 8

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Park Street
6

Continue on MA 8

184 ft · 4 sec · Park Street
7

Continue on MA 116

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Center Street
8

Continue on MA 116

1.6 mi · 2 min · Orchard Street
9

Continue on MA 116

2.5 mi · 5 min · Savoy Road
10

Continue on MA 116

2.6 mi · 4 min · Main Road
11

Turn right onto MA 8A

1.3 mi · 2 min · Windsor Road
12

Continue on MA 8A

3.1 mi · 5 min · Savoy Road
13

At end of road, turn left onto MA 9

4.5 mi · 7 min · Route 9
14

Continue on MA 9

0.7 mi · 1 min · Marine Corps League Highway
15

Continue on MA 9

5.4 mi · 7 min · Berkshire Trail
16

Turn right onto Fairgrounds Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Fairgrounds Road
17

Continue on Cummington Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · Cummington Road
18

Turn left onto MA 143

2.2 mi · 3 min · Main Road
19

Turn right onto South Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Street
20

Continue on East Street

3.2 mi · 5 min · East Street
21

Continue on Chesterfield Road

3.7 mi · 6 min · Chesterfield Road
22

Turn right onto Sylvester Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Sylvester Road
23

Continue on West Farms Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Farms Road
24

Continue on Glendale Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Glendale Road
25

Continue on Torrey Street

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Torrey Street
26

Turn left onto Loudville Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Loudville Road
27

Continue on Glendale Street

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Glendale Street
28

At end of road, turn left onto MA 10

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Main Street
29

Turn right onto MA 141

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Union Street
30

Continue on MA 141

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Cottage Street
31

Continue on MA 141

1.0 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Street
32

Continue on MA 141

1.0 mi · 2 min · Mountain Road
33

Continue on MA 141

2.3 mi · 3 min · Easthampton Road
34

Turn slight right

223 ft · 8 sec
35

Turn slight right onto US 5; US 202

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Northampton Street
36

Turn left onto West Franklin Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Franklin Street
37

Continue on Resnic Boulevard

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Resnic Boulevard
38

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 20 sec
39

Continue on I 391

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 391
40

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 4A Toward MA 141 East: Chicopee Falls
41

Turn straight onto MA 141

0.7 mi · 1 min · Grattan Street
42

Turn left onto McKinstry Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · McKinstry Avenue
43

Turn right onto Montgomery Street

501 ft · 18 sec · Montgomery Street
44

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min
45

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
46

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
47

Merge onto I 90

44 mi · 51 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
48

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 94 Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
49

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 33 sec · this road
Toward MA 146, US 20
50

Turn right

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward MA 146
51

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward MA 146 South
52

Merge onto MA 122A; MA 146

1.6 mi · 2 min · Worcester-Providence Turnpike
53

Continue on MA 146

0.9 mi · 1 min · Purple Heart Highway
54

Continue on MA 146

7.0 mi · 8 min · Worcester Providence Turnpike
55

Continue on MA 146

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Purple Heart Highway
56

Continue on MA 146

7.7 mi · 8 min · Providence Pike
57

Continue on MA 146

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Purple Heart Highway
58

Continue on RI 146

5.7 mi · 6 min · North Smithfield Expressway
59

Continue on RI 146

7.5 mi · 8 min · Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60

Continue on RI 146

2.9 mi · 3 min · Old Louisquisset Pike
61

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
62

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.
63

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

15 mi · 19 min · East Providence Expressway
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64

Keep slight right at fork onto I 195

10 mi · 12 min · I 195
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
65

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 25 Toward Penniman Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
66

Continue on Penniman Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Penniman Street
67

At end of road, turn right onto Purchase Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Purchase Street
68

Continue on Pleasant Street

432 ft · 10 sec · Pleasant Street
69

Continue on Sixth Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Sixth Street
70

Turn left onto Market Street

237 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
71

Turn left onto Pleasant Street

172 ft · 3 sec · Pleasant Street
72

Arrive at destination

Pleasant Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.6 miles from Adams, MA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 36 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.6 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 13m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Adams, 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 Adams, MA

This is one driving day of about 165.3 miles and 3h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Adams, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 44.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Wales, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wales, MA

83 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

Springfield, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Southbridge, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Adams, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tia Maria's European Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15089938900

Visit website

Cafe Arpeggio NB

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Bedford, Massachusetts

0.1 mi

Daily Grind

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adams, Massachusetts

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee Liberation Front

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adams, Massachusetts

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Tia Maria's European Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15089938900

Visit website

Cafe Arpeggio NB

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 165.3

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15089992233

Visit website

Daily Grind

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Adams, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14137439577

Visit website

Jasmine Asian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 94.4

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+15088328868

Visit website

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 59

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14135890562

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 94.4

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+15088320999

Visit website

Brickhouse Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14133632728

Visit website

Tony & Penny's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 59

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14135836351

Visit website

Coffee Liberation Front

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Adams, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 141.7

Seekonk, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 141.7

Seekonk, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 141.7

Barrington, Rhode Island

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 141.7

Swansea, Massachusetts

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 129.9

Johnston, Rhode Island

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 141.7

Seekonk, Massachusetts

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 141.7

East Providence, Rhode Island

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 129.9

Johnston, Rhode Island

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14016219232

Visit website

New Bedford Whaling Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 165.3

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15089970046

Visit website

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 165.3

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15089964095

Visit website

Adams Visitor Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Adams, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

Titanic Historical Society

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14135434770

Visit website

Mystery Soup Escape Rooms

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 129.9

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14012051873

Visit website

DementedFX

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 47.2

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Southwick's Zoo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 118

Mendon, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15088839182

Visit website

Lippitt House Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 129.9

Providence, Rhode Island

+14014530688

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 163.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~1m in | MA 8 / Columbia Street

At end of road, turn left onto MA 8 / Columbia Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
98.4 mi into trip | ~2h 27m 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
8
134.5 mi into trip | ~3h 11m 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
137.8 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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
7
163.5 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward Penniman Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 25 Toward Penniman Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.45 one way

$52.91 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $28.85 $57.70
premium $4.82 $31.39 $62.77
diesel $5.61 $36.50 $72.99

Estimated Tolls: $3.26

Massachusetts Turnpike (44.3 mi) $2.66
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

$26

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.6 0 $17.36 $7.93
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.46 $6.61
EV Truck/SUV 66.1 0 $23.14 $10.58

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Adams, MA

Afternoon in Adams on Saturday

Local time

4:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Bedford, MA

Afternoon in New Bedford on Saturday

Local time

4:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

SW 8 mph 8% chance Live forecast

40°F

Wales, MA

83 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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 52m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

National Historical Park

"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...

0 mi from route Free near mile 165.3
View on nps.gov
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 131.1
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail

New England National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 45.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

165.3 mi in 3h 52m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 57% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
72 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.3 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MA 8 / Columbia Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 165.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MA 8 / Columbia Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 98.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.5 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,024 ft 19 ft

Total Climb

1,801 ft

Total Descent

2,532 ft

Highest Point

2,024 ft

~11.8 mi in

Elevation Range

2,005 ft

Notable High Points

2,024 ft at ~11.8 miles +940 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Adams, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.

Providence

98.4 mi in | ~2h 27m

Cape Cod

134.5 mi in | ~3h 11m | via US 6

Seekonk

137.8 mi in | ~3h 17m | via I 195; US 1A; US 6

About the Cities

Arriving in New Bedford, MA

Full guide →

New Bedford is in Massachusetts on the southern coast. New Bedford's excellent harbor made it a natural fishing and whaling center. It was the world's premier whaling port in the 19th century, and, for a time, "the richest city in the world" and "the city that lit the world" because of whale oil production. New Bedford neighbor Acushnet is the birthplace of the Titleist golf ball.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 165.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.26 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at New Bedford, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MA 8 / Columbia Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 98.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.5 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at New Bedford, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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