Swampscott to New Bedford is 69.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via Amvets Highway and MA 140, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, moving from the Northeast region down to the southeastern part of the state. Expect a mixed drive, meaning you'll encounter both highway speeds and more local road conditions. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a straightforward journey without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.7 miles from Swampscott, 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
MA 140
15.9 mi
18m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
I 93
3.4 mi
4m
North Shore Road
2.6 mi
4m
Lynnway
2.2 mi
3m
Purchase Street
1.8 mi
3m
Ted Williams Tunnel
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 23.3 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swampscott, MA and New Bedford, MA.
1
Start on Hardy Road
212 ft·10 sec·Hardy Road
2
Turn right onto Monument Avenue
373 ft·12 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto Monument Avenue
72 ft·2 sec·Monument Avenue
4
Continue on Monument Avenue
447 ft·20 sec·Monument Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto MA 129
0.1 mi·13 sec·Humphrey Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto Lynn Shore Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Lynn Shore Drive
7
Enter roundabout onto Lynnway
85 ft·1 sec·Lynnway
8
Continue on Lynnway
2.2 mi·3 min·Lynnway
9
Continue on MA 1A
2.6 mi·4 min·North Shore Road
10
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
108 ft·1 sec·Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
11
Continue on MA 1A
0.4 mi·36 sec·Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
12
Enter roundabout onto MA 1A
377 ft·8 sec·MA 1A
13
Continue on MA 1A
215 ft·7 sec·MA 1A
14
Merge onto MA 1A
53 ft·1 sec·Lee Burbank Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 1A
1.0 mi·2 min·Lee Burbank Highway
16
Continue on MA 1A
1.0 mi·1 min·McClellan Highway
17
Continue on MA 1A
0.6 mi·56 sec·East Boston Expressway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
0.9 mi·1 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan AirportUse the slight left lane.
19
Continue on I 90
1.6 mi·2 min·Ted Williams Tunnel
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 135-134Toward I 93: South BostonUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 134Toward I 93Use the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 South
23
Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3
0.7 mi·1 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi·10 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on MA 24
23 mi·26 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 17AToward MA 140 South: New BedfordUse the right lane.
29
Turn straight onto MA 140
16 mi·18 min·MA 140
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 4Toward Mount Pleasant Street, Airport RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Pleasant Street
32
Turn left onto Nauset Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Nauset Street
33
Continue on Purchase Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Purchase Street
34
Continue on Pleasant Street
432 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
35
Continue on Sixth Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Sixth Street
36
Turn left onto Market Street
237 ft·15 sec·Market Street
37
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
172 ft·3 sec·Pleasant Street
38
Arrive at destination
Pleasant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave Swampscott in the morning to avoid potential afternoon congestion, especially as you approach the Southeast Expressway. While 69.4 miles doesn't necessitate many stops, plan for a brief break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is only $11; it’s wise to top off before you leave Swampscott to ensure you don't have to search for a station on less populated sections of MA 140.
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 34.7 miles from Swampscott, 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 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 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 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 Swampscott, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Swampscott, MA
This is one driving day of about 69.4 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Swampscott, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.5 and 65.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.5 mi into trip|~16m in|I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Williams Tunnel, Logan A...
7
11.9 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 93: South Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 135-134
Toward I 93: South Boston
8
12.2 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 93
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 134
Toward I 93
7
25.6 mi into trip|~40m 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
8
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
$11.11 one way
$22.21 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.11
$24.22
premium
$4.82
$13.18
$26.36
diesel
$5.61
$15.32
$30.65
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Massachusetts Turnpike
(0.9 mi)$0.05
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
$11
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.8
0
$7.29
$3.33
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.07
$2.78
EV Truck/SUV
27.8
0
$9.72
$4.44
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Swampscott, MA
Morning
in Swampscott on Sunday
Local time
6:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Bedford, MA
Morning
in New Bedford on Sunday
Local time
6:07 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
13 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...
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
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 14.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 43% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 23.3-mile segment on Amvets Highway, which likely provides a faster pace. As you transition to roads like MA 140 and the Southeast Expressway, expect varying traffic patterns and speed limits. The route isn't a constant highway grind, nor is it entirely slow, winding country roads; it’s a blend that requires attention to changing road conditions and speed zones as you progress towards your destination.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 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 9.5 miles in near I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.4 miles you will encounter 23 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 9.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Swampscott, MA to New Bedford, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Logan Airport 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 35m. Total distance: 69.4 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 (43%). 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 $0.05 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts 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.
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 9.5 miles (I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
