Origin
New Bedford, MA
Morning in New Bedford on Wednesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
76.2 mi
123 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Bedford, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Nantucket, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA covers 76.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Hyannis - Nantucket, I 195, Mid Cape Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.3 miles on Hyannis - Nantucket. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.20 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
38.1 miles from New Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA covers 76.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hyannis - Nantucket is the longest continuous segment at about 28.3 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 0.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 76.2 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 0.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward MA 18 North
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward MA 18 North
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward I 195 East: Cape Cod
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 195 East: Cape Cod
6
16 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 25 East: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 40A
Toward MA 25 East: Cape Cod
6
42.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
7
75.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
South Water Street
Turn left onto South Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.
Hyannis
42.9 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hyannis - Nantucket | 28.3 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 195 | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| MA 25 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| Sandwich Road Connector | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Iyannough Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Barnstable Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| MA 28 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Hyannis - Nantucket
— 28.3 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Bedford, MA and Nantucket, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pleasant Street
2
Turn right onto Hillman Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hillman Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MA 18 North
4
Merge onto MA 18
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
John F. Kennedy Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 195 East: Cape Cod
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 195
14 mi
·
17 min
·
I 195
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 40A
Toward MA 25 East: Cape Cod
8
Merge onto MA 25
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
MA 25
9
Continue on MA 28
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MA 28
10
Enter roundabout onto Sandwich Road Connector
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Sandwich Road Connector
11
Continue on Sandwich Road Connector
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Sandwich Road Connector
12
Turn right onto Mid-Cape Connector
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Mid-Cape Connector
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
14
Merge onto US 6
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 68
Toward MA 132: Barnstable, Hyannis
16
Keep slight left at fork
304 ft
·
8 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
18
Turn straight onto MA 132
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Iyannough Road
19
Enter roundabout onto Barnstable Road
228 ft
·
4 sec
·
Barnstable Road
20
Continue on Barnstable Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Barnstable Road
21
Continue on Ocean Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Ocean Street
22
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Street
23
Turn right onto South Street Dock
369 ft
·
28 sec
·
South Street Dock
24
Turn left onto Slip 1
51 ft
·
3 sec
·
Slip 1
25
Continue on Slip 1
197 ft
·
14 sec
·
Slip 1
26
Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket
28 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
Hyannis - Nantucket
27
Continue on Slip 1
143 ft
·
13 sec
·
Slip 1
28
Turn left onto Steamboat Wharf
67 ft
·
7 sec
·
Steamboat Wharf
29
Continue on Steamboat Wharf
244 ft
·
8 sec
·
Steamboat Wharf
30
Continue on Broad Street
397 ft
·
19 sec
·
Broad Street
31
Turn left onto South Water Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South Water Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto Main Street
513 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto Centre Street
120 ft
·
3 sec
·
Centre Street
34
Arrive at destination
Centre 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 38.1 miles from New Bedford, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 76.2 miles or 3h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.1 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nantucket, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New 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 New Bedford, MA
This is one driving day of about 76.2 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Bedford, 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 Hyannis - Nantucket for about 28.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.1 mi from New Bedford, MA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 76.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from New Bedford, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Nantucket, MA
The final approach into Nantucket, 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 Nantucket, 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
$12.20 one way
$24.39 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.30 | $26.60 |
| premium | $4.82 | $14.47 | $28.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.82 | $33.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.00 | $3.66 |
| Efficient EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.67 | $3.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.67 | $4.88 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Nantucket, MA
Morning in Nantucket on Wednesday
Local time
6:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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
3h 24m 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 New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA covers 76.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hyannis - Nantucket, I 195, Mid Cape Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.1 miles from New Bedford, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 76.2 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 0.5 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from New Bedford, MA to Nantucket, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Hyannis along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Nantucket, MA
Explore more options from New Bedford, MA or browse trips ending in Nantucket, MA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.
Explore maps for New Bedford, MA or Nantucket, MA on MapSof.net.