Trip from Barre, MA to New Bedford, MA

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

91.4 mi

147 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

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

Downtown New Bedford, MA, MA

New Bedford, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Traveling from Barre to New Bedford covers 91.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. This journey is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily reach the coast without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel for this trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Your path primarily utilizes the Providence Pike, I-195, and the East Providence Expressway to navigate across the Northeast region. Because the route is straightforward and relatively short, it offers a practical way to transition from the inland areas of Massachusetts to the coastal city of New Bedford.

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

45.7 miles from Barre, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and major thoroughfares. Roughly 49% of your total mileage will be spent on highways, providing a balance between steady cruising and slower-paced travel. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch along the East Providence Expressway, which spans 15.4 miles of your journey. The road's personality shifts significantly as you move away from your starting point, requiring you to remain alert as you switch between different types of infrastructure. This variety ensures the drive remains engaging, preventing the monotony often associated with long, purely interstate trips.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Providence Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22 miles in near Quinsigamond Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 91.4 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 22 miles (Quinsigamond Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
22 mi into trip | ~37m in | Quinsigamond Avenue

Turn left onto Quinsigamond Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
60.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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
64 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
6
79.5 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | I 195

Keep slight right at fork onto I 195

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
7
89.7 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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

Towns Along This Route

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

Cape Cod

60.7 mi in | ~1h 24m | via US 6

Seekonk

64 mi in | ~1h 30m | via I 195; US 1A; US 6

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
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
Pleasant Street 6.9 mi 12m
Worcester Road 6.1 mi 11m
North Smithfield Expressway 5.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: East Providence Expressway — 15.4 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MA 32; MA 122

171 ft · 2 sec · Concert Mall
2

Continue on MA 32; MA 122

1.2 mi · 1 min · Summer Street
3

Continue on MA 122

6.1 mi · 11 min · Worcester Road
4

Continue on MA 122

0.9 mi · 1 min · Barre Paxton Road
5

Continue on MA 122

3.6 mi · 5 min · Barre Paxton Road
6

Continue on MA 122

6.8 mi · 12 min · Pleasant Street
7

Turn right onto MA 122

3.0 mi · 4 min · Chandler Street
8

Continue on MA 122; MA 122A

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Madison Street
9

Turn right onto Southbridge Street

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Southbridge Street
10

Turn left onto Quinsigamond Avenue

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Quinsigamond Avenue
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on MA 146

2.5 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Highway
12

Continue on MA 122A; MA 146

2.1 mi · 2 min · Worcester-Providence Turnpike
13

Continue on MA 146

0.9 mi · 1 min · Purple Heart Highway
14

Continue on MA 146

7.0 mi · 8 min · Worcester Providence Turnpike
15

Continue on MA 146

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Purple Heart Highway
16

Continue on MA 146

7.7 mi · 8 min · Providence Pike
17

Continue on MA 146

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Purple Heart Highway
18

Continue on RI 146

5.7 mi · 6 min · North Smithfield Expressway
Use the none lane.
19

Continue on RI 146

7.5 mi · 8 min · Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on RI 146

2.9 mi · 3 min · Old Louisquisset Pike
Use the none lane.
21

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

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.
23

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 195

10 mi · 12 min · I 195
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 25 Toward Penniman Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on Penniman Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Penniman Street
27

At end of road, turn right onto Purchase Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Purchase Street
28

Continue on Pleasant Street

432 ft · 10 sec · Pleasant Street
29

Continue on Sixth Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Sixth Street
30

Turn left onto Market Street

237 ft · 15 sec · Market Street
31

Turn left onto Pleasant Street

172 ft · 3 sec · Pleasant Street
32

Arrive at destination

Pleasant Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid potential congestion on the main roads, particularly as you approach the busier sections near the coast. While you won't necessarily need to schedule long breaks given the duration, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise; with a $15 estimate, you should be able to complete the round trip with minimal stops for gas. Pay close attention to traffic patterns when transitioning onto I-195, as this is a key artery for the final leg of your trip. Staying mindful of these road transitions will help you maintain a steady, stress-free pace all the way to New Bedford.

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 45.7 miles from Barre, MA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 80 miles or 1h 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.7 miles or 1h 7m 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 43m

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 Barre, 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 Barre, MA

This is one driving day of about 91.4 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Barre, 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.
The longest stretch is on East Providence Expressway for about 15.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 45.7 mi from Barre, MA · 1h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

46 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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.7 miles from Barre, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in New Bedford, MA

The final approach into New Bedford, 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 New Bedford, 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

$14.55 one way

$29.10 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $15.82 $31.64
premium $4.80 $17.27 $34.54
diesel $5.64 $20.31 $40.61

Estimated Tolls: $0.64

Worcester Providence Turnpike (7 mi) $0.49
Worcester-Providence Turnpike (2.1 mi) $0.15

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

$15

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.4 0 $9.60 $4.39
Efficient EV 22.9 0 $8.00 $3.66
EV Truck/SUV 36.6 0 $12.80 $5.85

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Barre, MA

Afternoon in Barre on Sunday

Local time

4:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Bedford, MA

Afternoon in New Bedford on Sunday

Local time

4:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

46 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

1 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

2h 5m 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 Barre, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 91.4 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Providence Expressway, I 195, Providence Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.7 miles from Barre, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.55 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 91.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 22 miles (Quinsigamond Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Barre, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Cape Cod and Seekonk.

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