Origin
City of Lowell, MA
Evening in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA
Drive Time
30m
Distance
21.4 mi
34 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Arlington, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Stretching just 21.4 miles, this quick trip from Lowell to Arlington is an effortless transit through the Northeast that takes about 30 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, you can easily tackle this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 3, the Lowell Connector, and Cambridge Street to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is a highly economical route for your commute or weekend errands. This path offers a straightforward transition between these two Massachusetts cities, making it an ideal choice for drivers who prefer efficiency over a long-haul journey.
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
10.7 miles from City of Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between high-speed infrastructure and local transit. Roughly 50% of your time will be spent on highway-grade roads, providing a steady flow of traffic before you reach the final segments. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 10.7 miles on US 3, which acts as the main artery for the first half of your trip. As you move away from the Lowell Connector and shift onto local surface streets, the pace naturally slows down. This balance keeps the journey from feeling like a monotonous interstate slog while ensuring you make consistent progress toward Arlington.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 10.7 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 Middlesex Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 21.4 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 (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles (Lowell Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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
|
Middlesex Street
Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Lowell Connector
Merge onto Lowell Connector
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
12.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
6
13.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
15 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 South: Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from City of Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
Peabody
12.7 mi in
|
~17m
|
via US 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| Cambridge Street | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Lowell Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Cambridge Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Mystic Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Chelmsford Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Grand Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 10.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Lowell, MA and Arlington, MA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Arch Street
15 ft
·
8 sec
·
Arch Street
3
Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft
·
12 sec
·
Middlesex Street
4
Turn right onto Grand Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Grand Street
5
Turn right onto MA 110
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Chelmsford Street
6
Turn left onto Plain Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Plain Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
8
Merge onto Lowell Connector
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Connector
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on Lowell Connector
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Connector
Exit 1A
Toward US 3 South: Boston
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto US 3
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 3
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 3
Use the none lane.
13
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 3
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 3
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Road
17
Continue on US 3
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 3
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mystic Street
Use the none lane.
19
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Academy Street
320 ft
·
18 sec
·
Academy Street
21
Turn left
203 ft
·
14 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 30-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak commuting hours is always a smart move to ensure a smooth arrival. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, allowing you to drive straight through to your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Lowell; while $3 should cover your basic needs, having a full tank ensures you won't have to hunt for a station in unfamiliar territory. A concrete tip for this route: pay close attention to the signage when transitioning from US 3 onto Cambridge Street to avoid missing your turn in the busier sections of the drive.
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 10.7 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.7 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 21.4 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.7 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Lowell, 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 City of Lowell, MA
This is one driving day of about 21.4 miles and 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from City of Lowell, 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 10.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.7 mi from City of Lowell, MA · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.7 miles from City of Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, MA
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$3.41 one way
$6.81 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $3.70 | $7.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.04 | $8.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.75 | $9.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 57% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.25 | $1.03 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.87 | $0.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.00 | $1.37 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (57% 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
Arlington, MA
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
11 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
24 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
30m 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 City of Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA covers 21.4 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Cambridge Street, Lowell Connector. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.7 miles from City of Lowell, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.41 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 17 significant decision points across 21.4 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 (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles (Lowell Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from City of Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
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