New Bedford to Dracut is 85.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 53 minutes via Amvets Highway and I-95, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, moving from the Southeast region up towards the Northeast. The route offers a mix of driving experiences, blending highway cruising with surface street navigation. It's a manageable distance, making it suitable for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from New Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
23.3 mi
26m
I 95
22.5 mi
30m
Alfred Bessette Memorial Highway
15.8 mi
18m
US 3
9.4 mi
10m
Lowell Connector
2.9 mi
4m
Yankee Division Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Purchase Street
1.8 mi
3m
Bridge Street
1.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 23.3 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 295 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,726
Quietest
2 AM
~254 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Dracut, MA.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
0.3 mi·32 sec·Pleasant Street
2
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Purchase Street
3
Continue on Nauset Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Nauset Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto Hathaway Road
302 ft·6 sec·Hathaway Road
5
Continue on Mount Pleasant Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Mount Pleasant Street
6
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.2 mi·38 sec·Kings Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward MA 140 North: Taunton, Boston
8
Merge onto MA 140
16 mi·18 min·Alfred Bessette Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·54 sec
Exit 20AToward MA 24 North: Boston
10
Merge onto MA 24
23 mi·26 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 41BToward I 93 South, US 1 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 93; US 1
2.1 mi·2 min·Yankee Division Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.6 mi·50 sec·US 1
Exit 1BToward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmouth New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95
23 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 50A-BToward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·35 sec·this road
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
18
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi·10 min·US 3
19
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Connector
0.6 mi·52 sec·Lowell Connector
Exit 80-81AToward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, LawrenceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on Lowell Connector
2.2 mi·2 min·Lowell Connector
Exit 80Toward Lowell ConnectorUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Lowell Connector
511 ft·11 sec·Lowell Connector
Exit 5CToward Lowell Center, Gorham StreetUse the left / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Gorham Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·Gorham Street
23
Continue on Veterans Way
0.1 mi·12 sec·Veterans Way
24
Continue on Central Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Central Street
25
Turn right onto Prescott Street
487 ft·11 sec·Prescott Street
26
Continue on Bridge Street
1.7 mi·4 min·Bridge Street
27
Turn right onto MA 113
0.1 mi·16 sec·Arlington Street
28
Turn left
221 ft·16 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Aiming to leave New Bedford mid-morning should help you avoid the worst of local rush hour. While there are no designated stops in the data, this route is short enough that you might not need a dedicated break. However, if you do feel the need to stretch your legs or refuel, consider doing so before you hit the more developed areas closer to Dracut. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $15 for the entire trip.
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 42.5 miles from New Bedford, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 53m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dracut, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Bedford, MA
This is one driving day of about 85.1 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from New Bedford, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Amvets Highway for about 23.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 43 and 82.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
43 mi into trip|~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 93 South, US 1 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 93 South, US 1 South
9
46.1 mi into trip|~58m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmou...
9
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Lowell Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Connector toward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 80-81A
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, Lawrenc...
9
82.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|Lowell Connector
Keep slight left at fork onto Lowell Connector toward Lowell Center, Gorham Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Exit 5C
Toward Lowell Center, Gorham Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.09 one way
$30.19 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$16.41
$32.82
premium
$5.29
$17.73
$35.45
diesel
$5.35
$17.92
$35.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.94
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.45
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.91
$5.45
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
New Bedford, MA
Afternoon
in New Bedford on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 3 to 7 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dracut, MA
Afternoon
in Dracut on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NW 3 mph28% 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
6 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 53m 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...
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...
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...
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...
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 55.7
. . . 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 38% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch on Amvets Highway is 23.3 miles. You'll notice the transition from highway speeds on I-95 to more varied traffic patterns as you move onto local roads. Expect to encounter more frequent intersections and changing speed limits once you leave the interstate.
38% 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: 23.3 mi on Amvets Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 43 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.1 miles you will encounter 19 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 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
240 ft61 ft
Total Climb
370 ft
Total Descent
274 ft
Highest Point
240 ft
~36.5 mi in
Elevation Range
179 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 Dracut, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Chelmsford and Lawrence.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 85.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). 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 23.3 miles on Amvets Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Dracut, 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 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Lowell 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 Dracut, MA before heading back.
