Origin
Fall River, MA
Afternoon in Fall River on Monday
Local time
1:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
14.4 mi
23 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Bedford, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip between Fall River and New Bedford, you will find this 14.4-mile journey to be a straightforward connection within the Northeast region. The drive typically takes about 20 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-195 before transitioning onto Purchase Street and Sixth Street to reach your destination. With a fuel budget of just $2, this is an incredibly economical route to traverse. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short excursion, the simplicity of this path allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule. It is a practical, no-fuss transit between these two Massachusetts cities.
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
7.2 miles from Fall River, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-195, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.7 miles. The personality of this drive is functional and efficient, designed for getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity. As you exit the interstate and transition onto Purchase Street and Sixth Street, the pace shifts from a high-speed highway environment to local city navigation. Behind the wheel, you should expect a consistent, steady experience that prioritizes speed over scenic detours.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sullivan Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Borden Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hartwell Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rodman Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Plymouth Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 195 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Penniman Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fall River, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Purchase Street
46 ft
·
6 sec
·
Purchase Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
180 ft
·
31 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on South Main Street
331 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Turn left onto Sullivan Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Sullivan Drive
5
Turn left onto Borden Street
253 ft
·
5 sec
·
Borden Street
6
Turn slight right onto Hartwell Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Hartwell Street
7
Turn left onto Rodman Street
440 ft
·
9 sec
·
Rodman Street
8
Turn left onto Plymouth Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Plymouth Avenue
9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 195 East: New Bedford, Cape Cod
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
I 195 East: New Bedford, Cape Cod
10
Merge slight left
1.5 mi
·
2 min
11
Keep slight right
10 mi
·
12 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward Penniman Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Penniman Street
13
Continue on Penniman Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Penniman Street
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Purchase Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purchase Street
15
Continue on Pleasant Street
433 ft
·
11 sec
·
Pleasant Street
16
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Sixth Street
17
Turn left onto Market Street
236 ft
·
16 sec
·
Market Street
18
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Pleasant Street
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 20-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own needs. You do not need to worry about pacing stops, as there are no scheduled stops required for this 14.4-mile distance. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on I-195, so be prepared for the typical flow of highway traffic. Because the entire trip is so brief, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon without needing to refuel or rest. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from the interstate onto Sixth Street, as navigating city streets after a long highway stretch requires a quick adjustment in speed.
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 7.2 miles from Fall River, MA, or about 10m into the drive.
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 14.4 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.2 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Fall River, 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 Fall River, MA
This is one driving day of about 14.4 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fall River, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.2 mi from Fall River, MA · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.2 miles from Fall River, 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
$2.29 one way
$4.58 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $2.49 | $4.99 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.72 | $5.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.20 | $6.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Afternoon in New Bedford on Monday
Local time
1:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
Road read
20m 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 Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 14.4 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Main Street, Sullivan Drive, Borden Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.2 miles from Fall River, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.29 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.
The drive from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fall River, MA to New Bedford, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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