Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
78 mi
125 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: Phil Evenden
The drive from Amherst, MA to Lowell, MA covers 78 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 202, Daniel Shays Highway, Concord Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.2 miles on US 202. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
This is a 1h 56m highway drive covering 78 miles, with most of the trip on US 202 and Daniel Shays Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.2 miles on US 202.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and Daniel Shays Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.8 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 12 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 51.8 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Amherst, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Lawrence
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 202 | 18.2 mi | 25m |
| Daniel Shays Highway | 14.2 mi | 23m |
| Concord Turnpike | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| MA 2 | 12.2 mi | 17m |
| I 495 | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Amherst Road | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| Chelmsford Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Pelham Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and Lowell, MA.
Start on Depot Road
Turn right onto MA 116
Turn right onto MA 9
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
Continue on Pelham Road
Continue on Amherst Road
Turn left onto US 202
Take the ramp onto US 202
Continue on MA 2
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn right onto MA 110
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Hale Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 78 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 miles or 1h 2m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Amherst, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 78 miles and 1h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39 mi from Amherst, MA · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39 miles from Amherst, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Lowell, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lowell, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.42 one way
$24.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.50 | $27.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.74 | $29.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.33 | $34.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.86
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.19 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.92 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
48°F
Albany, NY
39 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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