Traveling from Amherst to New Bedford covers 118.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize the Massachusetts Turnpike, the East Providence Expressway, and I-195 to navigate between these two Northeast locations. Budgeting around $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Since the journey is relatively short, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the round trip if desired.
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
59.4 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
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
Federal Street
5.6 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 30.4 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Depot Road
449 ft·20 sec·Depot Road
2
Turn right onto MA 116
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Pleasant Street
3
Turn right onto MA 9
1.0 mi·2 min·College Street
4
Continue on MA 9
2.1 mi·3 min·Belchertown Road
5
Continue on MA 9
391 ft·6 sec·USMC League Highway
6
Continue on MA 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Federal Street
7
Continue on Federal Street
2.5 mi·4 min·Federal Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 9
1.3 mi·2 min·Federal Street
9
Turn right onto US 202
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Washington Street
2.1 mi·3 min·North Washington Street
11
Continue on North Liberty Street
4.1 mi·7 min·North Liberty Street
12
Continue on Belchertown Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Belchertown Street
13
Continue on Bridge Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Bridge Street
14
Turn left onto Palmer Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Palmer Road
15
Turn right onto MA 181
0.1 mi·14 sec·Sykes Street
16
Continue on MA 181
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·7 sec
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
22
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·35 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 94Toward MA 146, US 20: Worcester, Providence
24
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·33 sec·this road
Toward MA 146, US 20
25
Turn right
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward MA 146
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward MA 146 South
27
Merge onto MA 122A; MA 146
1.6 mi·2 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
28
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
29
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·8 min·Worcester Providence Turnpike
30
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·22 sec·Purple Heart Highway
31
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
32
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·15 sec·Purple Heart Highway
33
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
34
Continue on RI 146
7.5 mi·8 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on RI 146
2.9 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
36
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi·1 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit onto US 6
3.3 mi·5 min·US 6
Exit 36AToward I 195 East, US 6 East: East Providence, Cape CodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
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 MAUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195
10 mi·12 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 25Toward Penniman StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on Penniman Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Penniman Street
42
At end of road, turn right onto Purchase Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Purchase Street
43
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
44
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Sixth Street
45
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft·15 sec·Market Street
46
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft·3 sec·Pleasant Street
47
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 39-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion on the major arteries like the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-195. Given the moderate distance, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but keep your fuel gauge in mind to ensure you stay within your $19 budget. A smart tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for the East Providence Expressway before you depart, as that segment can be a bottleneck during peak commuting hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 26m 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 26 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 26m 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 12m
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 Amherst, 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 Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Amherst, 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 30.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.9 and 116.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.9 mi into trip|~37m in|US 20 / Thorndike Street
Turn left onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
88 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
91.3 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.00 one way
$37.99 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$20.72
$41.43
premium
$4.82
$22.54
$45.08
diesel
$5.61
$26.21
$52.41
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
$19
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.46
$5.70
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.39
$4.75
EV Truck/SUV
47.5
0
$16.62
$7.60
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Amherst, MA
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Night
in New Bedford on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
59 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
35 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 39m 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...
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 53.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by efficient transit, as approximately 63% of the journey is spent on highways. The road's personality is functional rather than leisurely, prioritizing speed as you transition through the Northeast landscape. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.4 miles while navigating the Massachusetts Turnpike, which sets the tone for the first leg of your travel. As you move toward the coast, the transition between major interchanges requires focused attention, but the overall experience is consistent and predictable for those comfortable with interstate driving.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.4 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 19.9 miles in near US 20 / Thorndike Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 118.7 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: at 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amherst, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Providence, Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Amherst is a town in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Amherst is home to about 35,000 residents as well as the campuses of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. A usually pleasant mix of students, academics, and retirees makes it a quintessential New England college town.
Amherst is at the center of a vibrant academic consortium comprising UMass, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and two more colleges in neighboring towns: Smith College in Northampton and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley. Because of this the area is frequently referred to as the "Five College Area."
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 118.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.43 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts 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 New Bedford, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.9 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 New England National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). 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 New Bedford, MA before heading back.
