New Bedford, MA to Cheshire, MA is 172.4 miles and takes about 3h 44m via Purchase Street, Linden Street, and County Street, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, moving from the Southeast region to the western part of the state. Expect to navigate mostly surface roads for the entire duration, meaning you'll be driving through towns and local communities rather than on high-speed highways. With a recommended one-day drive, you have the flexibility to start later in the morning or take your time along the way. It's a straightforward drive for a single day of travel.
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
86.2 miles from New Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
82.8 mi
1h 35m
I 195
28.1 mi
35m
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
Cheshire Road
3.6 mi
5m
Holmes Road
3.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 82.8 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-195
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 170 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,478 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,151
Quietest
2 AM
~179 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Bedford, MA and Cheshire, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
0.3 mi·32 sec·Pleasant Street
2
Continue on Purchase Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Purchase Street
3
Turn left onto Linden Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Linden Street
4
Turn right onto County Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·County Street
5
Turn left onto Cedar Grove Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Cedar Grove Street
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 195 West: Fall River
7
Merge onto I 195
11 mi·13 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 195
17 mi·22 min·I 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
Toward I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
0.1 mi·12 sec·I 95
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 38A-BToward RI 146 North: State OfficesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on RI 146
3.0 mi·3 min·Old Louisquisset Pike
Exit 38AToward RI 146 North: WoonsocketUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on RI 146
4.7 mi·5 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146
2.8 mi·2 min·Eddie Dowling Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on RI 146
5.7 mi·6 min·North Smithfield Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on MA 146
0.2 mi·17 sec·Purple Heart Highway
18
Continue on MA 146
7.7 mi·8 min·Providence Pike
19
Continue on MA 146
0.3 mi·18 sec·Purple Heart Highway
20
Continue on MA 146
7.0 mi·9 min·Worcester Providence Road
21
Continue on MA 146
0.9 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Highway
22
Continue on MA 146
1.8 mi·2 min·Worcester-Providence Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90, US 20: Boston, Springfield
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
26
Merge onto I 90
15 mi·17 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward US 20: Lee, Pittsfield
29
Keep slight right at fork
376 ft·9 sec
30
Merge onto US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·Housatonic Street
31
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·18 sec·Park Street
32
Turn slight right onto US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
33
Turn left onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·West Center Street
34
Continue on US 20
1.2 mi·2 min·Laurel Street
35
Continue on US 20
1.2 mi·2 min·Lee Road
36
Continue on US 7; US 20
2.2 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 7; US 20
2.0 mi·3 min·Pittsfield Road
38
Take the exit
315 ft·7 sec
39
Turn slight right onto Holmes Road
3.5 mi·7 min·Holmes Road
40
Keep slight right at fork onto Holmes Road
116 ft·3 sec·Holmes Road
41
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Elm Street
42
Turn left onto Dorchester Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Dorchester Avenue
43
Turn right onto Newell Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Newell Street
44
At end of road, turn right onto East Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Street
45
Turn left onto Junction Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Junction Road
46
Turn sharp right onto MA 9
1.0 mi·2 min·Merrill Road
47
Keep slight left at fork onto Cheshire Road
3.6 mi·5 min·Cheshire Road
48
Continue on MA 8
3.4 mi·6 min·South State Road
49
Continue on MA 8
0.3 mi·37 sec·South Street
50
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Church Street
51
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day trip of just under 4 hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving New Bedford after the morning rush hour, around 9:00 AM, to make the most of your daylight. With only one stop recommended, you can easily break up the drive for a quick break or meal without losing significant time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29, and refueling options might be more spread out once you're further west in Massachusetts. The consistent surface road nature means you'll be passing through several communities, so pay attention to local speed limits.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.2 miles from New Bedford, MA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.8 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheshire, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Bedford, 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 New Bedford, MA
This is one driving day of about 172.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from New Bedford, 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 82.8 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 39.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.6 mi into trip|~16m 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
29.9 mi into trip|~38m 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
30 mi into trip|~39m 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
31.1 mi into trip|~40m 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
6
39.5 mi into trip|~49m in|RI 146 / Eddie Dowling Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 146 / Eddie Dowling Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.76 one way
$57.52 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$31.66
$63.33
premium
$5.06
$34.32
$68.65
diesel
$5.60
$38.00
$76.01
Estimated Tolls: $5.09
Massachusetts Turnpike
(82.8 mi)$4.96
Worcester-Providence Turnpike
(1.8 mi)$0.13
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
$29
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.7
0
$18.10
$8.28
Efficient EV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
EV Truck/SUV
69
0
$24.14
$11.03
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Aug 27, 2026
Origin
New Bedford, MA
Late night
in New Bedford on Wednesday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cheshire, MA
Late night
in Cheshire on Wednesday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph69% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 44m 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...
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 65.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely surface roads, with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be driving through local areas for the full 172.4 miles. The longest stretch without stopping is not specified, but expect a consistent pace through towns and neighborhoods. You'll primarily be on Purchase Street, Linden Street, and County Street for much of the drive. This setup means you'll notice frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you pass through populated areas.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.8 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 195. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in near I 195.
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 31 significant decision points across 172.4 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 12.6 miles (I 195): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,361 ft44 ft
Total Climb
2,019 ft
Total Descent
1,095 ft
Highest Point
1,361 ft
~135.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,317 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Bedford, MA and Cheshire, MA, road signs point toward Springfield and Pittsfield.
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
•Effie M. Morrissey — museum ship in Massachusetts
•New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park — national Historical Park of the United States
•Central New Bedford Historic District — historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Cheshire is a town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Portions of the town are on Mount Greylock and must be accessed from adjacent towns if traveling by vehicle. Cheshire has a small population; restaurant and lodging options are limited, but the town has extensive offerings for outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, boating, swimming, fishing, and hunting.
Top landmarks
•Old Churchyard Cemetery — historic cemetery in Cheshire, Massachusetts, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 172.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.8 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.09 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Cheshire, 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 12.6 miles (I 195): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Cheshire, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
