This 74.5-mile drive from Shrewsbury, MA to New Bedford, MA is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-495 and MA-140, with a segment on Amvets Highway, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $12, which is quite economical. This drive is a good option if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to travel between these two points within the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Shrewsbury, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
39.6 mi
45m
MA 140
15.9 mi
18m
Amvets Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Turnpike Road
4.3 mi
6m
Purchase Street
1.8 mi
3m
South Street
1.3 mi
2m
Boston Turnpike
1.3 mi
1m
Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 39.6 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shrewsbury, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on this road
165 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MA 140
284 ft·12 sec·Grafton Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Turn right onto South Street
1.3 mi·2 min·South Street
5
Turn left onto MA 9
1.3 mi·1 min·Boston Turnpike
6
Continue on MA 9
0.7 mi·1 min·Belmont Street
7
Continue on MA 9
4.3 mi·6 min·Turnpike Road
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 South: Cape Cod
9
Merge onto I 495
40 mi·45 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto MA 24
5.2 mi·5 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 17AToward MA 140 South: New BedfordUse the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto MA 140
16 mi·18 min·MA 140
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 4Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Pleasant Street
16
Turn left onto Nauset Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Nauset Street
17
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Purchase Street
18
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
19
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Sixth Street
20
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft·15 sec·Market Street
21
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft·3 sec·Pleasant Street
22
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of under two hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility for when you choose to depart. You won't need to split this drive into multiple days, so you can leave whenever it's most convenient. Consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you get closer to New Bedford. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; while the estimated cost is low at $12, it's always wise to top off before you leave Shrewsbury to ensure a smooth journey without unexpected stops. The longest stretch on I-495 is a good time to maintain steady speed and conserve fuel.
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 37.2 miles from Shrewsbury, MA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.6 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 48m 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 19m
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 Shrewsbury, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shrewsbury, MA
This is one driving day of about 74.5 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Shrewsbury, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 39.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 70.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.9 mi into trip|~15m in|I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
5
49.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|MA 24 / Amvets Highway
Merge onto MA 24 / Amvets Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
54.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
$11.92 one way
$23.85 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$13.00
$26.00
premium
$4.82
$14.15
$28.29
diesel
$5.61
$16.45
$32.90
Estimated Tolls: $0.39
Turnpike Road
(4.3 mi)$0.30
Boston Turnpike
(1.3 mi)$0.09
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: 26.1 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
22.3
0
$7.82
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.52
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
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 15, 2026
Origin
Shrewsbury, MA
Late night
in Shrewsbury on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Late night
in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
3:36 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
36 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 35m 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 31.6
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 7.9
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 36.9
. . . 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 47.4
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.
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 82% of the journey taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 39.6 miles on I-495, providing a good opportunity for consistent progress. While much of the route is on high-speed roads like I-495 and MA-140, you'll also navigate portions of Amvets Highway. This combination means you'll experience a mix of faster travel and potentially some more localized road conditions as you approach your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.6 mi on I 495.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 8.9 miles in near I 495.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 8.9 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles (MA 24 / Amvets Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 35m. Total distance: 74.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.6 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.39 in tolls one way, starting with Turnpike Road. 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.
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 8.9 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles (MA 24 / Amvets Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
