How far is Nantucket, MA from New Bedford, MA?
The driving distance from Nantucket, MA to New Bedford, MA is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nantucket and New Bedford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nantucket and New Bedford.
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1
Start on Centre Street
68 m · 11 sec · Centre Street
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2
Turn right onto India Street
536 ft · 29 sec · India Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Water Street
24 m · 6 sec · South Water Street
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4
Turn left onto Cambridge Street
56 m · 14 sec · Cambridge Street
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5
Turn left onto Easy Street
145 m · 12 sec · Easy Street
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6
Turn right onto Steamboat Wharf
75 m · 14 sec · Steamboat Wharf
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7
Continue on Steamboat Wharf
20 m · 6 sec · Steamboat Wharf
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8
Turn right
44 m · 10 sec
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9
Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket
28.3 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Hyannis - Nantucket
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10
Continue on Slip 1
60 m · 15 sec · Slip 1
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11
Turn slight right
117 m · 30 sec
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12
Turn right onto South Street
624 ft · 20 sec · South Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lewis Bay Road
1081 ft · 24 sec · Lewis Bay Road
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14
Continue on Camp Street
1480 ft · 30 sec · Camp Street
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15
Turn slight right onto Yarmouth Road
36 m · 8 sec · Yarmouth Road
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16
Turn left onto Iyannough Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Iyannough Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Airport Rotary
94 m · 6 sec · Iyannough Road
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18
Exit the rotary onto Iyannough Road
3 mi · 6 min · Iyannough Road
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19
Take the ramp slight right toward US 6 West: Boston, Providence, RI
1780 ft · 45 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Mid Cape Highway
13 mi · 18 min · Mid Cape Highway
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21
Continue on Mid Cape Highway
1346 ft · 21 sec · Mid Cape Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MA 6A: Sagamore
2869 ft · 1 min
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sandwich Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Sandwich Road
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24
Continue on Sandwich Road
1242 ft · 31 sec · Sandwich Road
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bourne Rotary
7 m · 1 sec
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26
Exit the rotary
1 mi · 2 min
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27
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 195 West: New Bedford, Providence Rhode Island
1 mi · 2 min
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29
Continue straight
14.5 mi · 17 min
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward MA 18 South: Downtown New Bedford
1492 ft · 51 sec
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31
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · John F. Kennedy Highway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Dartmouth, Fairhaven
674 ft · 16 sec
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33
Keep slight right to continue on US 6 West: Dartmouth
741 ft · 18 sec
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34
Turn straight
57 m · 8 sec
-
35
Turn left onto Sixth Street
1304 ft · 33 sec · Sixth Street
-
36
Turn left onto Market Street
72 m · 16 sec · Market Street
-
37
Turn left onto Pleasant Street
53 m · 3 sec · Pleasant Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pleasant Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nantucket and New Bedford.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Hyannis - Nantucket
Continue on Hyannis - Nantucket
28.3 mi · 02h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Nantucket and Chance Rain Showers near New Bedford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nantucket to New Bedford?
The road trip is about 78.4 miles (126.1 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
East Sandwich is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Nantucket and 39.4 miles from New Bedford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 49.3 miles (79.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.78 one way or $21.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Nantucket and Chance Rain Showers near New Bedford.
Stop Ideas Near East Sandwich
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to East Sandwich.
Route 128 station
Providence station
South Station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nantucket and New Bedford. Straight-line distance: 49.26 mi (79.28 km).
#1 Nantucket
Island of Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 11,376 |
| Coordinates | 41.2834600, -70.0994600 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 New Bedford
The second most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 95,517 |
| Coordinates | 41.6352600, -70.9270100 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
End: William Street (-70.926996, 41.635275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $10.78 | $21.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $12.18 | $24.36 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $13.29 | $26.59 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.