New Bedford, MA to Longmeadow, MA is 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 31m via Massachusetts Turnpike and I-195, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Massachusetts, making it a straightforward drive. With 73% highway driving, much of this route is on major interstates, offering a relatively quick transit between these two points in the Northeast. It's a solid choice for a single-day excursion, requiring minimal planning beyond checking traffic.
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
59.8 miles from New Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
42.3 mi
48m
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
Springfield Expressway
4.4 mi
6m
Old Louisquisset Pike
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 42.3 mi, about 48m
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 Longmeadow, 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
28 mi·31 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·55 sec
Exit 51Toward I 291: Springfield, Hartford Connecticut
29
Keep slight right at fork
348 ft·9 sec
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
31
Continue on I 291
4.4 mi·6 min·Springfield Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1A-2AToward I 91 South: Hartford Connecticut
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 91 South: Hartford Connecticut
34
Merge onto I 91
2.1 mi·3 min·I 91
35
Take the exit onto US 5
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 5
Exit 1Toward US 5 South: Forest Park, LongmeadowUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto US 5
1.8 mi·3 min·US 5
Toward US 5 South: Forest Park, Longmeadow
37
Arrive at destination
US 5
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 31-minute drive, leaving in the late morning or early afternoon can help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both the New Bedford and Longmeadow areas. Since the longest stretch without an exit is 42.3 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so filling up in New Bedford or at a major service area on the Turnpike should be sufficient. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to stop if you see a convenient rest area.
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 59.8 miles from New Bedford, MA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longmeadow, 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 119.7 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 42.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 117.7 — 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
8
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|US 5
Take the exit onto US 5 toward US 5 South: Forest Park, Longmeadow
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 1
Toward US 5 South: Forest Park, Longmeadow
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.92 one way
$41.84 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$23.11
$46.21
premium
$5.31
$25.03
$50.06
diesel
$6.18
$29.12
$58.24
Estimated Tolls: $2.66
Massachusetts Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.53
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
$21
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
New Bedford, MA
Morning
in New Bedford on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 8 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Longmeadow, MA
Morning
in Longmeadow on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% 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
3 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 31m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 107.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 119.7-mile drive is mostly highway, with 73% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 42.3 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike before transitioning to other roads. Expect a good number of exits and merges as you navigate the interstate system.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 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 25 significant decision points across 119.7 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 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
Mostly flat terrain
844 ft36 ft
Total Climb
891 ft
Total Descent
791 ft
Highest Point
844 ft
~76.9 mi in
Elevation Range
807 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 Longmeadow, MA, road signs point toward Springfield and Hartford Connecticut.
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
•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 2h 31m. Total distance: 119.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.66 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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Longmeadow, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Longmeadow, MA before heading back.
