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Trip from New Bedford, MA to Upton, MA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 23m

Distance

59.4 mi

96 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 17m ★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States

New Bedford, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Upton, MA, MA

Upton, MA

Italo Melo

Trip Overview

New Bedford to Upton is 59.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 23 minutes via I 195 and Eddie Dowling Highway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads as you make your way across the state. It's a relatively short drive, making it a flexible option for a weekday commute or a weekend excursion.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 195 28.1 mi 35m
Eddie Dowling Highway 7.5 mi 8m
Blackstone Street 3.3 mi 6m
Providence Street 3.2 mi 5m
Old Louisquisset Pike 3 mi 3m
North Avenue 2.2 mi 3m
Mendon Street 2.2 mi 3m
Park Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 195 — 28.1 mi, about 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Upton, 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 Massachusetts Use 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-B Toward RI 146 North: State Offices Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on RI 146

3.0 mi · 3 min · Old Louisquisset Pike
Exit 38A Toward RI 146 North: Woonsocket Use 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

Take the exit onto RI 146A

1.4 mi · 2 min · RI 146A
Exit 10 Toward RI 146A North: North Smithfield, Woonsocket Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto Park Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue
18

At end of road, turn left onto RI 122

417 ft · 6 sec · Hamlet Avenue
19

Continue on RI 122

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Court Street
20

Continue on RI 122

0.2 mi · 26 sec · High Street
21

Turn right onto RI 122

443 ft · 14 sec · Arnold Street
22

Turn left onto RI 122

223 ft · 4 sec · Railroad Street
23

Continue on RI 122

0.9 mi · 1 min · Harris Avenue
24

Continue on MA 122

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
25

Turn right onto Blackstone Street

3.3 mi · 6 min · Blackstone Street
26

Continue on Providence Street

2.1 mi · 3 min · Providence Street
27

At end of road, turn left onto Providence Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · Providence Street
28

Continue on Main Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
29

Continue on North Avenue

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Avenue
30

Continue on Mendon Street

2.2 mi · 3 min · Mendon Street
31

Turn slight right onto Grove Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · Grove Street
32

Continue on North Main Street

400 ft · 13 sec · North Main Street
33

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Rhode Island, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pawtucket, RI

30 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

Fall River, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Providence, RI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.7 miles from New Bedford, 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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 42.3 — 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
42.3 mi into trip | ~52m in | RI 146A

Take the exit onto RI 146A toward RI 146A North: North Smithfield, Woonsocket

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 10 Toward RI 146A North: North Smithfield, Woonsoc...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.38 one way

$20.76 round trip

$4.44/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.90 $11.47 $22.93
premium $5.31 $12.42 $24.84
diesel $6.18 $14.45 $28.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.8 0 $6.24 $2.85
Efficient EV 14.9 0 $5.20 $2.38
EV Truck/SUV 23.8 0 $8.32 $3.80

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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 15, 2026

Origin

New Bedford, MA

Afternoon in New Bedford on Saturday

Local time

2:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Mostly Clear

NW 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Upton, MA

Afternoon in Upton on Saturday

Local time

2:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Mostly Clear

NW 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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 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 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This 59.4-mile drive is about 50% highway. You'll spend the longest stretch, 28.1 miles, on I 195. After that, expect a transition to surface roads like Eddie Dowling Highway and Blackstone Street. The initial highway portion will likely feature frequent exits and merging traffic.

50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.1 mi on I 195.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 12.6 miles in near I 195.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.4 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 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

485 ft 19 ft

Total Climb

669 ft

Total Descent

433 ft

Highest Point

485 ft

~55.1 mi in

Elevation Range

467 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from New Bedford, MA to Upton, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Woonsocket along the way.

Woonsocket

42.3 mi in | ~52m | via RI 146A

About the Cities

Starting in New Bedford, MA

Full guide →

Founded 1640

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

Arriving in Upton, MA

Full guide →

Upton (Massachusetts) is in Blackstone Valley, Massachusetts.

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 23m. Total distance: 59.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (50%). 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 28.1 miles on I 195. 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 Upton, 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 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 Minute Man National Historical Park (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 Upton, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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