Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Boston, MA

Drive Time

41m

Distance

27.7 mi

45 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min

4 AM

0h 38m ★

6 AM

0h 42m

8 AM

0h 49m

10 AM

0h 44m

12 PM

0h 44m

3 PM

0h 45m

5 PM

0h 49m

8 PM

0h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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City of Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Boston, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick transition from the historic mills of Lowell to the heart of Boston, this 27.7-mile journey is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 41 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient connection within the Northeast. Budgeting around $4 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical excursion for your weekend plans. Because the entire trip covers less than 30 miles, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or complex logistics. Whether you are commuting or heading into the city for an outing, the straightforward nature of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

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 City of Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate your way out of Lowell and into the Boston metro area. You will rely primarily on the Lowell Connector, US 3, and the Interstate 93 HOV lane to complete the transit. With 55% of your time spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of suburban flow and denser urban traffic patterns. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 10.7-mile segment on US 3, which serves as the backbone of your movement. As you approach your destination, the character of the road shifts from regional highway driving to the more concentrated infrastructure of the city.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 39 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 12.7 miles in near US 3.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 30 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 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 30 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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

22.5 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 South: Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 93 South: Boston

26.8 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center

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 17B-A Toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center

27 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Government Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17A Toward Government Center

Towns Along This Route

Between City of Lowell, MA and Boston, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.

Peabody

12.7 mi in | ~17m | via US 3

Revere

22.2 mi in | ~32m | via MA 16

Concord New Hampshire

22.3 mi in | ~33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 3	10.7 mi	13m
Interstate 93 HOV lane	2.5 mi	3m
Lowell Connector	2.1 mi	2m
Cambridge Road	2 mi	2m
Cambridge Street	1.6 mi	1m
Winthrop Street	1.4 mi	2m
I 93	1.1 mi	1m
Yankee Division Highway	0.9 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 Boston, MA.

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 40 sec · this road

Turn right onto Arch Street

15 ft · 8 sec · Arch Street

Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street

383 ft · 12 sec · Middlesex Street

Turn right onto Grand Street

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Grand Street

Turn right onto MA 110

0.7 mi · 1 min · Chelmsford Street

Turn left onto Plain Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Plain Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto Lowell Connector

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

Use the none lane.

Continue on Lowell Connector

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

Exit 1A Toward US 3 South: Boston Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 3

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 3

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 3

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128

0.9 mi · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway

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.

Merge onto US 3

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Cambridge Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

Continue on US 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Church Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Church Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Bacon Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bacon Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 38

37 ft · 0 sec · Main Street

Continue on MA 38

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Main Street

Continue on MA 38

1.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Street

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto MA 38

100 ft · 4 sec · Winthrop Street

Continue on MA 38

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Winthrop Street

Turn left onto MA 16; MA 38

0.5 mi · 1 min · Mystic Valley Parkway

Continue on MA 16

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Mystic Valley Parkway

Toward MA 16 East: Everett, Revere

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 93: Boston, Concord New Hampshire

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 93 South: Boston Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 93

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 93

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93

0.8 mi · 1 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane

Merge onto I 93; US 1

0.5 mi · 38 sec · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Exit 17B-A Toward MA 1A Toll: Airport, Government Center Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 17A Toward Government Center Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road

0.1 mi · 26 sec · John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road

Turn right onto State Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · State Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on Court Street

473 ft · 20 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto Tremont Street

333 ft · 11 sec · Tremont Street

Arrive at destination

Tremont Street

Trip Plan

Because this drive is short and direct, you have the advantage of planning your departure based entirely on your personal preferences rather than strict fatigue management. Keep in mind that the route includes an HOV lane on I-93, so check your passenger count or local regulations before merging into that lane to optimize your travel time. Since the trip takes under an hour, you will not need to plan for formal rest stops or mid-trip refueling. Monitor traffic reports specifically for the US 3 corridor, as congestion can fluctuate significantly during morning and evening peak hours. Embracing the brevity of this 27.7-mile trip allows you to spend more time at your destination rather than on the road.

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 City of Lowell, MA, or about 19m 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 27.7 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 13.9 miles or 19m 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 Boston, 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 27.7 miles and 41m.

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 13.9 mi from City of Lowell, MA · 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from City of Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Boston, MA

The final approach into Boston, 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 Boston, 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

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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	8.3	$2.91	$1.33
Efficient EV	6.9	$2.42	$1.11
EV Truck/SUV	11.1	$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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

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

Destination

Boston, MA

Evening in Boston on Sunday

Local time

5:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

41m 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 Boston, MA covers 27.7 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 3, Interstate 93 HOV lane, Lowell Connector. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 13.9 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 $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.

Between City of Lowell, MA and Boston, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.

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Return Trip

Boston, MA to City of Lowell, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

27.7 mi 43m

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Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Boston, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Boston, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

City of Lowell, MA

Boston, MA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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