Spanning 71.8 miles across Massachusetts, this drive from Acushnet to Worcester typically takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes. Because the route is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Navigating through the Northeast, you will primarily utilize local roads like South Main Street, Howland Road, and Coggeshall Street. Since this path avoids major highways entirely, it offers a different pace than typical interstate travel. It is a straightforward trek that gets you from the Acushnet area to Worcester efficiently without the need for complex trip-splitting.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.8 miles from Acushnet, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 195
28.9 mi
36m
Providence Pike
7.7 mi
8m
Eddie Dowling Highway
7.5 mi
8m
Worcester Providence Road
7 mi
9m
North Smithfield Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
Purple Heart Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Old Louisquisset Pike
3 mi
3m
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 195
— 28.9 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Acushnet, MA and Worcester, MA.
1
Start on Hayes Street
398 ft·23 sec·Hayes Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto Howland Road
0.4 mi·47 sec·Howland Road
4
Continue on Coggeshall Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Coggeshall Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 195 West: Fall RiverUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 195
12 mi·14 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195
17 mi·22 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston MassachusettsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
0.1 mi·12 sec·I 95
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 38A-BToward RI 146 North: State OfficesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on RI 146
3.0 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
Exit 38AToward RI 146 North: WoonsocketUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on RI 146
4.7 mi·5 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146
2.8 mi·2 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·17 sec·Purple Heart Highway
17
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
18
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·18 sec·Purple Heart Highway
19
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·9 min·Worcester Providence Road
20
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
21
Continue on MA 146
2.1 mi·3 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
22
Continue on MA 122A; MA 146
2.5 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Highway
23
Continue on Quinsigamond Avenue
0.6 mi·54 sec·Quinsigamond Avenue
24
Turn right onto Southbridge Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southbridge Street
25
Continue on McGrath Boulevard
0.1 mi·18 sec·McGrath Boulevard
26
Turn slight left
194 ft·5 sec
27
Turn slight right onto Southbridge Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Southbridge Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact trip without any mandatory stops, you have maximum flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While the drive is short at 1 hour and 17 minutes, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means travel times can fluctuate based on traffic density. We recommend checking your GPS for potential congestion on South Main Street or Coggeshall Street before you pull out of your driveway. With a fuel budget of only $10, it is easy to manage your costs, but fueling up in Acushnet beforehand will save you from searching for a station once you reach the busier streets of Worcester. Use the lack of scheduled stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 35.8 miles from Acushnet, MA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.9 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.8 miles or 47m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Worcester, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Acushnet, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Acushnet, MA
This is one driving day of about 71.6 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Acushnet, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 195 for about 28.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 32.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 195 West: Fall River
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 195 West: Fall River
6
14.2 mi into trip|~19m in|I 195
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.5 mi into trip|~42m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachuse...
6
31.6 mi into trip|~42m in|US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachuse...
8
32.7 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward RI 146 North: State Offices
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38A-B
Toward RI 146 North: State Offices
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.46 one way
$22.92 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.50
$24.99
premium
$4.82
$13.60
$27.19
diesel
$5.61
$15.81
$31.62
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(2.1 mi)$0.15
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
$11
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.26
$2.86
EV Truck/SUV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
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 as of Jun 20, 2022
Origin
Acushnet, MA
Morning
in Acushnet on Tuesday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Worcester, MA
Morning
in Worcester on Tuesday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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.
Temperature spread
1 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
1h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
National Historical Park
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 71.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a zero-percent highway share. You will spend the entire 71.8 miles navigating local roads, which requires your full attention behind the wheel. The personality of this trip is defined by frequent turns and a consistent pace that keeps you engaged throughout the duration. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, you should prepare for a drive that demands consistent navigation through various intersections and local thoroughfares. It is a practical, hands-on experience that contrasts sharply with the high-speed, repetitive nature of major expressways.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.9 mi on I 195.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (I 195): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
New Bedford is in Massachusetts on the southern coast. New Bedford's excellent harbor made it a natural fishing and whaling center. It was the world's premier whaling port in the 19th century, and, for a time, "the richest city in the world" and "the city that lit the world" because of whale oil production.
New Bedford neighbor Acushnet is the birthplace of the Titleist golf ball.
Top landmarks
•Head of the River Historic District — historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Explore fine arts, history, and take in a show in Worcester, a medium sized city in Central Massachusetts about an hour's drive west of Boston. Worcester's seven hills and their valleys contain top notch museums, nine colleges and universities, beautiful parks, and food from all over the globe.
Top landmarks
•Clark University — American private university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts
•Cathedral of Saint Paul — church in Massachusetts, United States
•Worcester Academy — private high school in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 71.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.9 miles on I 195. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Worcester-Providence Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Worcester, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (I 195): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and Minute Man National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Worcester, MA before heading back.
