How far is New Bedford, MA from Athol, MA?
The driving distance from New Bedford, MA to Athol, MA is about 111.2 miles (179 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94 miles (151.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Worcester County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Bedford and Athol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Bedford and Athol.
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1
Start on Pleasant Street
1500 ft · 32 sec · Pleasant Street
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2
Continue on Purchase Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Purchase Street
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3
Turn left onto Linden Street
760 ft · 28 sec · Linden Street
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4
Turn right onto County Street
1503 ft · 35 sec · County Street
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5
Turn left onto Cedar Grove Street
770 ft · 15 sec · Cedar Grove Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 195 West: Fall River
573 ft · 14 sec
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7
Merge slight left
10.8 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight left
17.3 mi · 22 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
669 ft · 16 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, US 6 West: Boston Massachusetts
1.6 km · 2 min
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11
Keep slight left
709 ft · 12 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on RI 146 North: State Offices
1.1 km · 45 sec
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13
Continue on Old Louisquisset Pike
3 mi · 3 min · Old Louisquisset Pike
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14
Continue on Eddie Dowling Highway
4.7 mi · 5 min · Eddie Dowling Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Eddie Dowling Highway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Eddie Dowling Highway
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16
Continue on North Smithfield Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · North Smithfield Expressway
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17
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
1292 ft · 17 sec · Purple Heart Highway
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18
Continue on Providence Pike
7.7 mi · 9 min · Providence Pike
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19
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
1444 ft · 19 sec · Purple Heart Highway
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20
Continue on Worcester Providence Road
7 mi · 9 min · Worcester Providence Road
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21
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Purple Heart Highway
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22
Continue on Worcester-Providence Turnpike
2.1 mi · 3 min · Worcester-Providence Turnpike
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23
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Highway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 East: Shrewsbury, Marlboro
1738 ft · 42 sec
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25
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 North, MA 70: Sterling, Leominster, Burncoat Street, Lincoln Street
788 ft · 14 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 190 North: Sterling, Leominster
1897 ft · 33 sec
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28
Continue straight
8.4 mi · 10 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward MA 140: West Boylston, Princeton
1683 ft · 42 sec
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30
Turn left onto Redemption Rock Trail
4.8 mi · 7 min · Redemption Rock Trail
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31
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Redemption Rock Trail North
11 m · 1 sec · Redemption Rock Trail North
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33
Exit the roundabout onto Redemption Rock Trail North
2.9 mi · 6 min · Redemption Rock Trail North
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34
Continue on Worcester Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Worcester Road
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35
Continue on Hager Park Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Hager Park Road
-
36
Continue on State Road East
1182 ft · 26 sec · State Road East
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37
Take the ramp left
3 mi · 4 min
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38
Continue straight
12.3 mi · 17 min
-
39
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A: Athol, Phillipston
1546 ft · 57 sec
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40
Turn left onto Templeton Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road
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41
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
42
Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue
866 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Hill Avenue
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43
Turn left onto Bridge Street
82 m · 6 sec · Bridge Street
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44
Turn straight onto Crescent Street
1792 ft · 42 sec · Crescent Street
-
45
Turn sharp right onto Fish Street
27 m · 5 sec · Fish Street
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46
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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47
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Bedford and Athol.
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.
I 195 West
Keep slight left
17.3 mi · 00h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving New Bedford and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athol.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Bedford to Athol?
The road trip is about 111.2 miles (179 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
East Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.6 miles from New Bedford and 55.7 miles from Athol.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94 miles (151.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.29 one way or $30.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around New Bedford and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athol.
Stop Ideas Near East Douglas
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 Douglas.
Union Station
Framingham station
Providence station
Route 128 station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Bedford and Athol. Straight-line distance: 94.04 mi (151.34 km).
#1 New Bedford
The second most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
| Population | 95,517 |
| Coordinates | 41.6352600, -70.9270100 |
| Altitude | 29 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athol
Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 11,698 |
| Coordinates | 42.5959200, -72.2267500 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athol (-72.22675, 42.59592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 179 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $17.28 | $34.56 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $18.86 | $37.72 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $17.64 | $35.28 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.