Origin
Boston, MA
Evening in Boston on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boston, MA to City of Lowell, MA
Drive Time
43m
Distance
27.7 mi
45 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boston, MA
Phil Evenden
City of Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Boston to Lowell, this 27.7-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 43 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly accessible route within the Northeast region. With a fuel cost estimate of just $4, it is an economical choice for those wanting to explore beyond the city limits. Because the drive is short, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging; you can easily head out in the morning and return by evening. The route utilizes a mix of I-93, US 3, and Cambridge Road to navigate the transition between these two Massachusetts hubs. It is a straightforward, practical journey that serves as a perfect low-stress transition between the state's major urban centers.
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
13.9 miles from Boston, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps the experience varied as you transition away from Boston. With a highway share of 53%, you will spend about half your time cruising on faster roads before shifting into local traffic patterns. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along US 3, which spans 10.9 miles of the journey. The road personality shifts from dense city infrastructure to more fluid highway segments, providing a balanced feel for the driver. Expect a transition that requires steady attention as you move from major interstates onto the secondary roads that guide you into Lowell.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 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 4.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 27.7 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22
Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlin...
8
14.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
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 50B-A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
9
14.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9
14.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
8
24.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
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 81B-C
Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlbor...
Towns Along This Route
Between Boston, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro - among others.
Arlington
4.6 mi in
|
~8m
Lowell
12.7 mi in
|
~21m
|
via US 3
Middlesex Turnpike
14.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 3
Burlington
14.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 3
Nashua New Hampshire
14.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 3
Marlboro
24.7 mi in
|
~37m
Chelmsford
25.2 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| I 93 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Cambridge Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Cambridge Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Chelmsford Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Winthrop Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Mystic Valley Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 10.9 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boston, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Tremont Street
230 ft
·
11 sec
·
Tremont Street
2
Turn right onto Beacon Street
302 ft
·
11 sec
·
Beacon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto Somerset Street
340 ft
·
13 sec
·
Somerset Street
4
Turn left onto Ashburton Place
210 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ashburton Place
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Ashburton Place
253 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ashburton Place
6
Turn straight onto Bowdoin Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Bowdoin Street
7
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
439 ft
·
21 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Sudbury Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Sudbury Street
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 93 North: Concord NH
10
Merge onto I 93
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 93
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 22
Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on MA 16
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Mystic Valley Parkway
13
Turn right onto MA 38
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Winthrop Street
Use the right lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street
117 ft
·
2 sec
·
Winthrop Street
15
Continue on Winthrop Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Winthrop Street
16
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
Bacon Street
18
Continue on Bacon Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bacon Street
19
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
20
Turn right onto US 3
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cambridge Street
21
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Road
22
Continue on US 3
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
Cambridge Street
23
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 3
Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell
24
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto US 3
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 3
Exit 50B-A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 3
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 3
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 3
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the none lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 3
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 81B-C
Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 81C
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
32
Turn right onto MA 110
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Chelmsford Street
33
Turn sharp left onto MA 3A
458 ft
·
10 sec
·
Westford Street
34
Turn right onto Grand Street
448 ft
·
23 sec
·
Grand Street
35
At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft
·
18 sec
·
Middlesex Street
36
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft
·
5 sec
·
Arch Street
37
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire journey takes less than an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule. To avoid the heaviest traffic, consider timing your transit outside of standard morning or evening rush hours, as this route relies on major arteries like I-93. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops given the short 27.7-mile distance, but having a full tank before leaving Boston will easily cover the $4 fuel cost for the round trip. Keep a close eye on your GPS when shifting between US 3 and Cambridge Road to ensure you stay on the most efficient path. This lack of required stops is a major advantage, allowing you to focus your time entirely on your destination rather than managing the road logistics.
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 13.9 miles from Boston, MA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 27.7 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.9 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
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 Boston, 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 Boston, MA
This is one driving day of about 27.7 miles and 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boston, 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 US 3 for about 10.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.9 mi from Boston, MA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Boston, 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
$4.41 one way
$8.82 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $4.80 | $9.59 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.23 | $10.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.15 | $12.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.88 | $1.77 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
14 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
1 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
43m 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 Boston, MA to City of Lowell, MA covers 27.7 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, I 93, Cambridge Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 miles from Boston, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.41 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 29 significant decision points across 27.7 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Boston, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro - among others.
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