Origin
Barre, MA
Late night in Barre on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Barre, MA to New Bedford, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
91.4 mi
147 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Bedford, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Barre to New Bedford covers 91.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. This journey is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily reach the coast without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel for this trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Your path primarily utilizes the Providence Pike, I-195, and the East Providence Expressway to navigate across the Northeast region. Because the route is straightforward and relatively short, it offers a practical way to transition from the inland areas of Massachusetts to the coastal city of New Bedford.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Barre, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Pleasant Street | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Worcester Road | 6.1 mi | 11m |
| North Smithfield Expressway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
East Providence Expressway
— 15.4 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barre, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on MA 32; MA 122
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Concert Mall
2
Continue on MA 32; MA 122
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Summer Street
3
Continue on MA 122
6.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Worcester Road
4
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Barre Paxton Road
5
Continue on MA 122
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Barre Paxton Road
6
Continue on MA 122
6.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Pleasant Street
7
Turn right onto MA 122
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Chandler Street
8
Continue on MA 122; MA 122A
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Madison Street
9
Turn right onto Southbridge Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Southbridge Street
10
Turn left onto Quinsigamond Avenue
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Quinsigamond Avenue
11
Continue on MA 146
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
12
Continue on MA 122A; MA 146
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
13
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
14
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Worcester Providence Turnpike
15
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Purple Heart Highway
16
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Providence Pike
17
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Purple Heart Highway
18
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Smithfield Expressway
19
Continue on RI 146
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on RI 146
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Louisquisset Pike
21
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 195
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 25
Toward Penniman Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Penniman Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Penniman Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Purchase Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purchase Street
28
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft
·
10 sec
·
Pleasant Street
29
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sixth Street
30
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
31
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft
·
3 sec
·
Pleasant Street
32
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid potential congestion on the main roads, particularly as you approach the busier sections near the coast. While you won't necessarily need to schedule long breaks given the duration, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise; with a $15 estimate, you should be able to complete the round trip with minimal stops for gas. Pay close attention to traffic patterns when transitioning onto I-195, as this is a key artery for the final leg of your trip. Staying mindful of these road transitions will help you maintain a steady, stress-free pace all the way to New Bedford.
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 45.7 miles from Barre, MA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 20 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 1h 7m 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 43m
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 Barre, 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 Barre, MA
This is one driving day of about 91.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Barre, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East Providence Expressway for about 15.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.7 miles from Barre, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 59.5 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
6
79.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
I 195
Keep slight right at fork onto I 195
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
89.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
$14.63 one way
$29.26 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.95 | $31.90 |
| premium | $4.82 | $17.36 | $34.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.18 | $40.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.64
Worcester Providence Turnpike
(7 mi)
$0.49
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.00 | $3.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.80 | $5.85 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Late night in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 8 mph
8% chance
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
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 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
0 mi from route
Free
near mile 91.4
View on nps.gov
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 56.8
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 22.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and major thoroughfares. Roughly 49% of your total mileage will be spent on highways, providing a balance between steady cruising and slower-paced travel. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch along the East Providence Expressway, which spans 15.4 miles of your journey. The road's personality shifts significantly as you move away from your starting point, requiring you to remain alert as you switch between different types of infrastructure. This variety ensures the drive remains engaging, preventing the monotony often associated with long, purely interstate trips.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.4 mi on East Providence Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 59.5 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 91.4 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 59.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Barre, MA and New Bedford, MA, road signs point toward Cape Cod and Seekonk.
Cape Cod
60.7 mi in
|
~1h 24m
|
via US 6
Seekonk
64 mi in
|
~1h 30m
|
via I 195; US 1A; US 6
About the Cities
Arriving in New Bedford, MA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 91.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). 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 15.4 miles on East Providence Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.64 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 59.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (I 195; US 1A; US 6 / East Providence Expressway): 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 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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