Origin
North Smithfield, RI
Night in North Smithfield on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
44.3 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Smithfield, RI
Brent Singleton
Newport, RI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to head from the northern part of Rhode Island down to the coast, this 43.8-mile journey connects North Smithfield to Newport. Expect to spend about 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $7, it is an economical way to traverse the state. You will navigate entirely via local roads, as this route has no highway segments. It is a straightforward drive that gets you from the interior of the Northeast to the coast without the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
22.1 miles from North Smithfield, RI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
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Forget about monotonous interstate cruising; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local character. You will spend your time navigating roads like Woonsocket Hill Road, George Lee Road, and Providence Pike, which provide a more intimate look at the regional landscape. Because the highway share is zero percent, you should prepare for a consistent, winding pace rather than high-speed travel. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road here, as the longest segment occurs on Woonsocket Hill Road. The constant transitions between local roads mean you will need to stay alert and engaged with the steering wheel for the duration of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 295 and RI 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Woonsocket Hill Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 44.3 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: near the start (Woonsocket Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (RI 4): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Woonsocket Hill Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4 toward RI 4 South: North Kingstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward RI 138 East: Jamestown, Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto JT Connell Connector
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto RI 138A / JT Connell Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from North Smithfield, RI to Newport, RI, road signs begin pointing toward New York along the way.
New York
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 295 | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| RI 4 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
| RI 138 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| I 95 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Douglas Pike | 2 mi | 3m |
| Providence Pike | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Tower Hill Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Branch Pike | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Smithfield, RI and Newport, RI.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Woonsocket Hill Road
Continue on George Lee Road
Turn left onto RI 5
Continue on Branch Pike;Providence Pike
At end of road, turn left onto RI 7
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 295
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto RI 138
Turn left onto JT Connell Connector
Turn left onto RI 138A
Continue on RI 138A
Continue on Farewell Street
Continue on Thames Street
Turn left onto Touro Street
Turn left onto Court House Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. You do not need to worry about complex stop planning, as there are no mandated stops along the way. Your primary focus should be on navigating the local roads, so double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are routed correctly through the turn-heavy sections. Budgeting $7 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is always a good idea to check your tank before leaving North Smithfield. Because this is a localized drive, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that 52-minute travel time without unnecessary delays.
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.
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 44.3 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.1 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport, RI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North Smithfield, RI 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 North Smithfield, RI
This is one driving day of about 44.3 miles and 1h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.1 mi from North Smithfield, RI · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 44.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.1 miles from North Smithfield, RI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Newport, RI 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 Newport, RI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.13 one way
$14.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.85 | $15.69 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.48 | $16.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.78 | $19.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.13 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.88 | $1.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.20 | $2.84 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in North Smithfield on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Newport on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
22 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
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