Origin
Lancaster, MA
Late night in Lancaster on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lancaster, 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
1h 42m
Distance
81.9 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lancaster, MA
Italo Melo
New Bedford, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lancaster to New Bedford is 81.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 42 minutes via I-495 and MA-140, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Massachusetts, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. Expect a highway-focused journey for the majority of the trip, making it a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B. With a duration under two hours and a manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick, no-fuss road trip. Plan for a single day of travel as this route is easily completed within daylight hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Lancaster, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 50.2 mi | 57m |
| MA 140 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Amvets Highway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Purchase Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Mount Pleasant Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Still River Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Center Bridge Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 50.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Thayer Memorial Drive
62 ft
·
11 sec
·
Thayer Memorial Drive
2
Turn left onto MA 70
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto Center Bridge Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Bridge Road
4
Turn left onto MA 110
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lower Bolton Road
5
Turn straight onto MA 110
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Still River Road
6
Turn right onto MA 117
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlborough
8
Merge onto I 495
50 mi
·
57 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto MA 24
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 17A
Toward MA 140 South: New Bedford
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto MA 140
16 mi
·
18 min
·
MA 140
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 4
Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Pleasant Street
15
Turn left onto Nauset Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Nauset Street
16
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Purchase Street
17
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft
·
10 sec
·
Pleasant Street
18
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sixth Street
19
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
20
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft
·
3 sec
·
Pleasant Street
21
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 42 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in either direction. Since the longest stretch is over 50 miles, you can comfortably go for a good portion of the drive without needing a major stop, though planning for a quick break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13; filling up before you leave Lancaster is a practical step. The route mainly utilizes I-495 and MA-140, so ensure your GPS is set to prioritize these main roads for the most efficient travel.
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 40.9 miles from Lancaster, MA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 50m 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 25m
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 Lancaster, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lancaster, MA
This is one driving day of about 81.9 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lancaster, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.9 miles from Lancaster, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 78.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MA 70 / Main Street
Turn left onto MA 70 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
56 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward MA 140 South: New Bedford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward MA 140 South: New Bedford
8
78.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road
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 4
Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.11 one way
$26.21 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.29 | $28.59 |
| premium | $4.82 | $15.55 | $31.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.08 | $36.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.47 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
13 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
1h 42m 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...
0 mi from route
Free
near mile 81.9
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 39.5
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 5.6
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$15
near mile 48
View on nps.gov
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 5.6
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 48
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey taking place on major highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-495, which provides a fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 50.2 miles on I-495, allowing for steady progress. While the core of the drive is on these high-speed roads, be prepared for transitions as you connect to and from MA-140 and Amvets Highway. This blend means consistent speed for most of the trip, punctuated by changes in road type.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and MA 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MA 70 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 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: near the start (MA 70 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 1h 42m. Total distance: 81.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.2 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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: near the start (MA 70 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and Minute Man National Historical Park (6 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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