Shirley, MA to New Bedford, MA is 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 56m via I 495 and MA 140, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, connecting the Northeast region from start to finish. Expect a drive that's mostly on major roadways, making it a straightforward connection between two points. It's a manageable distance for a single day trip, with minimal fuss and a clear path to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Shirley, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
50.2 mi
57m
MA 140
15.9 mi
18m
Amvets Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Lunenburg Road
3.7 mi
6m
Main Street
3.6 mi
6m
Purchase Street
1.8 mi
3m
Seven Bridge Road
1.5 mi
2m
Lancaster Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 50.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shirley, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Chapel Street
75 ft·5 sec·Chapel Street
2
Turn right onto Porter Street
314 ft·19 sec·Porter Street
3
Turn left onto Front Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·Front Street
4
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Main Street
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Lancaster Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Lancaster Road
6
Continue on Shirley Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Shirley Road
7
Turn right onto Fort Pond Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Fort Pond Road
8
Take the ramp
329 ft·7 sec
9
Merge onto MA 2
1.2 mi·1 min·MA 2
10
Take the exit
523 ft·12 sec
Exit 103Toward MA 70: Lancaster, Lunenburg
11
Turn left onto Fort Pond Road
505 ft·22 sec·Fort Pond Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto MA 70
0.2 mi·29 sec·Lunenburg Road
13
Enter roundabout onto Lunenburg Road
103 ft·4 sec·Lunenburg Road
14
Continue on Lunenburg Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Lunenburg Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto MA 70; MA 117
0.3 mi·42 sec·North Main Street
16
Continue on MA 117
1.5 mi·2 min·Seven Bridge Road
17
Continue on MA 117
3.4 mi·5 min·Main Street
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlborough
19
Merge onto I 495
50 mi·57 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto MA 24
5.2 mi·5 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 17AToward MA 140 South: New BedfordUse the right lane.
23
Turn straight onto MA 140
16 mi·18 min·MA 140
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 4Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Pleasant Street
26
Turn left onto Nauset Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Nauset Street
27
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Purchase Street
28
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
29
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Sixth Street
30
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft·15 sec·Market Street
31
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft·3 sec·Pleasant Street
32
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 56m duration and 89.2-mile distance, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential commuter traffic and still have ample time to reach New Bedford. With no designated stops and a fuel cost estimated at $14, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 495 to MA 140, as services might become less frequent on the latter part of the drive.
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 44.6 miles from Shirley, MA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 20 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 1h 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 37m
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 Shirley, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shirley, MA
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Shirley, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 50.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 85.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward MA 70: Lancaster, Lunenburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 103
Toward MA 70: Lancaster, Lunenburg
6
4 mi into trip|~7m in|MA 70 / Lunenburg Road
At end of road, turn left onto MA 70 / Lunenburg Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
$14.28 one way
$28.55 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.57
$31.14
premium
$4.82
$16.94
$33.87
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
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: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Shirley, MA
Morning
in Shirley on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Morning
in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
10:22 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
35 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 56m 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...
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 46.2
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 12.3
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...
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
$15
near mile 55.4
. . . 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 61.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a highway experience, with 75% of the 89.2 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 495, covering 50.2 miles. Around the point where MA 140 becomes more prominent, expect a shift from highway cruising to surface roads, likely marked by a higher density of exits and intersections. The transition from the interstate feel to more local thoroughfares will be noticeable as you get closer to New Bedford.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and MA 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 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 89.2 miles you will encounter 21 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (MA 70 / Lunenburg Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 56m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.2 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (MA 70 / Lunenburg Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Blackstone River Valley 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 New Bedford, MA before heading back.
