New Bedford to Wenham is 81.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via Amvets Highway and US 1, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically Massachusetts, so you won't be crossing state lines. The drive is mostly on main roads and highways, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, it's a convenient option for a quick regional drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.8 miles from New Bedford, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
23.3 mi
26m
Alfred Bessette Memorial Highway
15.8 mi
18m
US 1
12.9 mi
18m
I 93
11.5 mi
15m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3.2 mi
5m
I 95
2.5 mi
2m
Maple Street
2.3 mi
3m
Purchase Street
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 23.3 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 314 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,380 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,865
Quietest
2 AM
~556 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Wenham, 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 right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 41AToward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 93; US 1
12 mi·15 min·I 93; US 1
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
13 mi·18 min·US 1
Exit 19Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, RevereUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on US 1
1.5 mi·2 min·Newbury Street
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
17
Merge onto I 95
2.5 mi·2 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 69Toward MA 62: Danvers, MiddletonUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
331 ft·10 sec
Toward MA 62 East: DanversUse the left / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto MA 62
1.4 mi·2 min·Maple Street
21
Continue on MA 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·Poplar Street
22
Turn left onto MA 35
1.1 mi·1 min·Locust Street
23
Turn right onto Wenham Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Wenham Street
24
Continue on Maple Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Maple Street
25
Continue on Cherry Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Cherry Street
26
Turn left
305 ft·22 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 51-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you should have plenty of opportunities to refuel along the way if needed. While there are no specific recommended stops, the flexibility of a shorter drive like this means you can easily pull over if you need a break or want to grab a quick bite. Keep an eye out for the transition between highway and surface roads around the 23.3-mile mark on Amvets Highway.
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 40.8 miles from New Bedford, MA, or about 51m 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.8 miles or 51m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wenham, 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 81.7 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 75.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|Hathaway Road
At end of road, turn right onto Hathaway Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
9
43 mi into trip|~53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
9
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|US 1
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 19
Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
8
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward MA 62: Danvers, Middleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 69
Toward MA 62: Danvers, Middleton
8
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 62 East: Danvers
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward MA 62 East: Danvers
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.28 one way
$28.56 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.77
$31.54
premium
$5.31
$17.08
$34.17
diesel
$6.18
$19.87
$39.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.5
0
$8.58
$3.92
Efficient EV
20.4
0
$7.15
$3.27
EV Truck/SUV
32.7
0
$11.44
$5.23
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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
New Bedford, MA
Morning
in New Bedford on Tuesday
Local time
9:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wenham, MA
Morning
in Wenham on Tuesday
Local time
9:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 51m 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.
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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.
"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...
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...
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 73.2
. . . 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 53.5
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 59.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 37% of the route on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 23.3 miles on Amvets Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a change in driving conditions as you move between the faster highway segments and the more varied surface roads.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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 2.3 miles in near Hathaway Road.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.3 miles (Hathaway Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
221 ft9 ft
Total Climb
357 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
221 ft
~35 mi in
Elevation Range
212 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 Wenham, MA, road signs point toward Revere and Middleton.
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
Hamilton is a North Shore city in Massachusetts with a population of about 7,500 in 2020. Hamilton is closely tied to its sister town, Wenham, sharing a school system, library, recreation department and commuter rail station. In 2010, the community of Hamilton-Wenham was listed among the "Best Places to Live" by Boston Magazine.
Wenham has a population around 5k according to the 2020 census.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 81.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). 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 5 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 Wenham, 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 2.3 miles (Hathaway Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Boston National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and Adams 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 Wenham, MA before heading back.
