Origin
Palmer, MA
Afternoon in Palmer on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer, MA to New Bedford, MA
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
98.7 mi
159 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, MA
Alexey Demidov
New Bedford, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
The drive from Palmer, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 98.7 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, East Providence Expressway, I 195 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.71 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.4 miles from Palmer, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 2m highway drive covering 98.7 miles, with most of the trip on Massachusetts Turnpike and East Providence Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 30.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
794 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
690 ft
Total Descent
975 ft
Highest Point
794 ft
~8.2 mi in
Elevation Range
759 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and East Providence Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 98.7 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 (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
8
68 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 6: Pawtucket Avenue, Seekonk MA
7
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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 Palmer, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Providence
31.8 mi in
|
~37m
Cape Cod
68 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via US 6
Seekonk
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 27m
|
via I 195; US 1A; US 6
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 30.4 mi | 35m |
| 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 |
| North Smithfield Expressway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| US 6 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 30.4 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
189 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pleasant Street
2
Merge onto US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft
·
7 sec
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
6
Merge onto I 90
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 94
Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
this road
Toward MA 146, US 20
9
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward MA 146
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward MA 146 South
11
Merge onto MA 122A; MA 146
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
12
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
13
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Worcester Providence Turnpike
14
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Purple Heart Highway
15
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Providence Pike
16
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Purple Heart Highway
17
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Smithfield Expressway
18
Continue on RI 146
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on RI 146
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Louisquisset Pike
20
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
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 straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 195
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 25
Toward Penniman Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Penniman Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Penniman Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto Purchase Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purchase Street
27
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft
·
10 sec
·
Pleasant Street
28
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sixth Street
29
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
30
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft
·
3 sec
·
Pleasant Street
31
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
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 49.4 miles from Palmer, MA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.4 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 1h 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 39m
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 Palmer, 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 Palmer, MA
This is one driving day of about 98.7 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palmer, 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 30.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.4 mi from Palmer, MA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Palmer, 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
$15.71 one way
$31.42 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $17.09 | $34.17 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.65 | $37.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.93 | $43.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.43
Massachusetts Turnpike
(30.4 mi)
$1.83
Worcester Providence Turnpike
(7 mi)
$0.49
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(1.6 mi)
$0.11
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
$16
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 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 | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Afternoon in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
49 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
2 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 2m 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 Palmer, MA to New Bedford, MA covers 98.7 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, East Providence Expressway, I 195. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.4 miles from Palmer, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.71 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 16 significant decision points across 98.7 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: near the start (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Palmer, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 35 ft to 794 ft elevation with about 690 ft of total climbing.
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