Trip from Bedford, MA to New Bedford, MA

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

70.8 mi

114 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 26m ★

6 AM

1h 33m

8 AM

1h 48m

10 AM

1h 38m

12 PM

1h 37m

3 PM

1h 39m

5 PM

1h 47m

8 PM

1h 29m

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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New Bedford, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Traveling from Bedford to New Bedford covers 70.8 miles of Massachusetts terrain, a journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Amvets Highway, the Yankee Division Highway, and MA 140. With a fuel budget of approximately $11, this route is an economical way to traverse the Northeast corridor. It is a straightforward transit that connects two distinct parts of the state, making it a manageable excursion for those looking to reach the coast efficiently.

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

35.4 miles from Bedford, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

You should prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 27% of this journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads and transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 23.3-mile segment along the Amvets Highway. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires frequent adjustments and careful navigation as you move through different road types. Expect the driving experience to shift from faster highway speeds to more technical local stretches as you progress toward your destination.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Amvets Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near I 95; MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (I 95; MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 95; MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway

Merge onto I 95; MA 128 / Yankee Division Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

23.9 mi into trip | ~34m in | US 1

Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Exit 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston

27.1 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward MA 24 South: Fall River

50.9 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward MA 140 South: New Bedford

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

Use the right lane. Exit 17A Toward MA 140 South: New Bedford

67 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road

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 4 Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Amvets Highway	23.3 mi	26m
Yankee Division Highway	21.6 mi	29m
MA 140	15.9 mi	18m
US 1	3.1 mi	4m
Purchase Street	1.8 mi	3m
The Great Road	1.3 mi	3m
Mount Pleasant Street	1.1 mi	2m
Bedford Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Amvets Highway — 23.3 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on MA 4; MA 62; MA 225

1.3 mi · 3 min · The Great Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on MA 4; MA 225

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bedford Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 995 South: Providence Rhode Island

Merge onto I 95; MA 128

22 mi · 29 min · Yankee Division Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 1

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 1

Exit 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 4 Toward MA 24 South: Fall River Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 24

23 mi · 26 min · Amvets Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Exit 17A Toward MA 140 South: New Bedford Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto MA 140

16 mi · 18 min · MA 140

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Exit 4 Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Mount Pleasant Street

Turn left onto Nauset Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Nauset Street

Continue on Purchase Street

1.8 mi · 3 min · Purchase Street

Continue on Pleasant Street

432 ft · 10 sec · Pleasant Street

Continue on Sixth Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Sixth Street

Turn left onto Market Street

237 ft · 15 sec · Market Street

Turn left onto Pleasant Street

172 ft · 3 sec · Pleasant Street

Arrive at destination

Pleasant Street

Trip Plan

Since the trip takes under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though you should account for potential local traffic congestion common in Massachusetts. You won't need to plan for formal stops given the short duration, but having your $11 in fuel costs ready ensures you can fill up without delay. Pay close attention to the transition points between the Yankee Division Highway and MA 140, as these areas require more focus than the open highway sections. Staying alert during the turn-heavy portions of the drive is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in New Bedford. Keep your GPS active to navigate the local road segments effectively.

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 35.4 miles from Bedford, MA, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 70.8 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.4 miles or 48m 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 17m

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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, MA

This is one driving day of about 70.8 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bedford, 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 Amvets Highway for about 23.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.4 mi from Bedford, MA · 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

35 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 70.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Bedford, 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

$11.27 one way

$22.54 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$12.26	$24.51
premium	$4.80	$13.38	$26.75
diesel	$5.64	$15.73	$31.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	21.2	$7.43	$3.40
Efficient EV	17.7	$6.19	$2.83
EV Truck/SUV	28.3	$9.91	$4.53

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Bedford, MA

Afternoon in Bedford on Sunday

Local time

4:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Bedford, MA

Afternoon in New Bedford on Sunday

Local time

4:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

35 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

21 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

1h 33m 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 Bedford, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 70.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Amvets Highway, Yankee Division Highway, MA 140. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 35.4 miles from Bedford, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.27 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.