Salem, MA to New Bedford, MA is 73.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m via Amvets Highway and MA 140, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, taking you from the Northeast region down to the southern part of the state. Expect a mixed driving experience, blending some faster road sections with more local travel. It's a manageable drive, perfect for a day trip or as a segment of a larger New England adventure. Consider this if you're looking for a straightforward connection between these two points without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Salem, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
23.3 mi
26m
MA 140
15.9 mi
18m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
Tobin Bridge
5.8 mi
9m
Western Avenue
3.6 mi
6m
I 93
3.4 mi
4m
Highland Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
Broadway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 23.3 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Gedney Street
150 ft·9 sec·Gedney Street
2
Turn right onto Margin Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Margin Street
3
Continue on Jefferson Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·Jefferson Avenue
4
Turn right onto Jackson Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·Jackson Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto MA 107
2.4 mi·3 min·Highland Avenue
6
Continue on MA 107
2.5 mi·4 min·Western Avenue
7
Enter roundabout onto MA 107
178 ft·2 sec·Western Avenue
8
Continue on MA 107
1.0 mi·2 min·Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on MA 107
1.7 mi·2 min·Salem Turnpike
10
Continue on MA 107
0.7 mi·1 min·Broadway
11
Turn slight right onto MA 60; MA 107
328 ft·11 sec·Albert J Brown Circle
12
Turn slight right onto MA 107
148 ft·5 sec·Broadway
13
Continue on MA 107
1.3 mi·2 min·Broadway
14
Turn right
0.2 mi·23 sec
15
Merge onto MA 16
0.3 mi·36 sec·Revere Beach Parkway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 1 South: Tobin Bridge, BostonUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto US 1
1.4 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1
5.8 mi·9 min·Tobin Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi·10 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1
3.4 mi·4 min·I 93; US 1
Toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode Island
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on MA 24
23 mi·26 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 17AToward MA 140 South: New BedfordUse the right lane.
24
Turn straight onto MA 140
16 mi·18 min·MA 140
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 4Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Pleasant Street
27
Turn left onto Nauset Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Nauset Street
28
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Purchase Street
29
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
30
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Sixth Street
31
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft·15 sec·Market Street
32
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft·3 sec·Pleasant Street
33
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1h 40m, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion on the Southeast Expressway. With only a $10 fuel cost estimated, you likely won't need to worry about finding a gas station mid-trip, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since the longest stretch is 23.3 miles, you can easily complete this drive without needing dedicated rest stops, though pulling over briefly if needed is always a good idea.
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 36.8 miles from Salem, MA, or about 54m 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 54m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Bedford, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salem, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Salem, MA
This is one driving day of about 73.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Salem, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 11 and 69.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward US 1 South: Tobin Bridge, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 1 South: Tobin Bridge, Boston
6
26.4 mi into trip|~40m in|I 93; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93; US 1 toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South, US 1 South: Providence Rhode...
7
29.8 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 4
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward MA 140 South: New Bedford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 17A
Toward MA 140 South: New Bedford
8
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road
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 4
Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.78 one way
$23.56 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.85
$25.69
premium
$4.82
$13.98
$27.95
diesel
$5.61
$16.25
$32.50
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Salem Turnpike
(1.7 mi)$0.12
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.44
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Salem, MA
Late night
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Late night
in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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
1h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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.
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...
. . . 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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 20.3
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 15.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 42% of it on highways. You'll encounter a significant 23.3-mile stretch on Amvets Highway, which likely provides a more continuous pace. As you transition to MA 140 and then the Southeast Expressway, the character of the drive will shift, incorporating more varied road conditions and potentially more local traffic. It's not a purely interstate journey, so be prepared for a blend of faster travel and more typical road segments as you make your way south.
42% 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: 23.3 mi on Amvets Highway.
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 11 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles (I 93; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Salem, MA to New Bedford, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 73.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). 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.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Salem 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 3 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 New Bedford, 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles (I 93; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Adams National Historical Park and Boston 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 New Bedford, MA before heading back.
