Origin
Andover, MA
Evening in Andover on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Andover, MA to City of Lowell, MA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.2 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Andover, MA
Sebastián Casimiro
City of Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Andover to Lowell, Massachusetts, you are looking at a brief 12.2-mile journey that typically takes about 20 minutes. This route is perfect for a spontaneous day trip, as it requires no overnight stops and keeps your fuel budget minimal at roughly $2. You will navigate through the Northeast region using a combination of I-495 and local roads like North Main Street and Rogers Street. Because the travel time is so efficient, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to explore once you arrive. It is a straightforward, no-fuss drive that serves as an easy connection between these two Massachusetts communities.
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
6.1 miles from Andover, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend about 55% of your time on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 6.7 miles on I-495. As you transition off the interstate and onto North Main Street and Rogers Street, the pace shifts from a standard highway grind to a more grounded, local feel. This variety keeps the short 20-minute drive engaging without becoming tedious. You will find it to be a functional, direct route that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 495 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.1 miles in near Elm Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 12.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / right lanes.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward MA 38: Lowell, Tewksbury
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 92
Toward MA 38: Lowell, Tewksbury
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
MA 38 / Main Street
Turn right onto MA 38 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Arch Street
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
Between Andover, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Marlboro and Tewksbury.
Marlboro
1.9 mi in
|
~3m
Tewksbury
9 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Rogers Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Middlesex Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Nesmith Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Union Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Andover Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Green Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 6.7 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andover, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Summer Street
435 ft
·
18 sec
·
Summer Street
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Elm Street
Use the none / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto MA 28
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on MA 28
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Union Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro
6
Merge onto I 495
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 495
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 92
Toward MA 38: Lowell, Tewksbury
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto MA 38
462 ft
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on MA 38
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Rogers Street
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 38
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Nesmith Street
11
Turn left onto MA 110
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Andover Street
12
Continue on MA 110
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Church Street
13
Continue on MA 110
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Green Street
14
Continue on MA 110
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Middlesex Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft
·
5 sec
·
Arch Street
16
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 12.2-mile hop, you have the advantage of total flexibility when choosing your departure time. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head out whenever it suits your personal itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, though your total cost for the trip should remain around $2. Because you are utilizing both interstate and surface streets, stay alert for the transition from the 6.7-mile stretch on I-495 to the local roads. Making the switch smoothly will ensure your arrival in Lowell is as stress-free as possible.
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 6.1 miles from Andover, MA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.7 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 12.2 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.1 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andover, 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 Andover, MA
This is one driving day of about 12.2 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Andover, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 6.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.1 mi from Andover, MA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Andover, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in City of Lowell, MA
The final approach into City of 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 City of Lowell, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.94 one way
$3.88 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $2.11 | $4.22 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.31 | $4.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Evening in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
6 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
20m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Andover, MA to City of Lowell, MA covers 12.2 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 495, North Main Street, Rogers Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.1 miles from Andover, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 12.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Andover, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Marlboro and Tewksbury.
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