Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Cambridge, MA

Drive Time

41m

Distance

25.2 mi

41 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 10 min

4 AM

0h 38m ★

6 AM

0h 41m

8 AM

0h 48m

10 AM

0h 44m

12 PM

0h 43m

3 PM

0h 44m

5 PM

0h 48m

8 PM

0h 39m

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

Cambridge, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Spanning 25.2 miles, the drive from Lowell to Cambridge is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 41 minutes. Because it covers such a short distance within the Northeast region, you can easily complete this as a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $4 on fuel for the journey, making it a very economical commute. The route relies on a mix of local roads and highways, including the Lowell Connector, Cambridge Street, and US 3. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the brevity of this trip offers excellent flexibility for 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

12.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 25.2-mile journey offers a mixed driving experience, balancing high-speed transit with local navigation. Approximately 44% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace before you transition into the more intricate layout of local streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 3, where you will cover 10.7 miles. As you move away from Lowell, the character of the road shifts from the Connector's open flow into the denser, more urban environment of Cambridge. You should be prepared for this change in rhythm as you navigate the final approach to your destination.

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

There are about 29 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 23 significant decision points across 25.2 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 (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Middlesex Street

Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

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

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.

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

25.1 mi into trip | ~40m in | Line Street

At end of road, turn right onto Line Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from City of Lowell, MA to Cambridge, 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	1.4 mi	1m
Massachusetts Avenue	1.2 mi	3m
Beacon Street	1 mi	3m
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 Cambridge, 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

1.9 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 3

1.4 mi · 1 min · Mystic Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MA 60

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Chestnut Street

Turn right onto Warren Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Warren Street

Turn straight onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Broadway

Turn right onto MA 16

0.4 mi · 1 min · Alewife Brook Parkway

Turn left onto MA 2A

1.2 mi · 3 min · Massachusetts Avenue

Toward MA 2A East: Cambridge Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Somerville Avenue

0.2 mi · 54 sec · Somerville Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Beacon Street

1.0 mi · 3 min · Beacon Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Cooney Street

295 ft · 12 sec · Cooney Street

At end of road, turn right onto Line Street

294 ft · 19 sec · Line Street

Turn left onto Leonard Avenue

460 ft · 19 sec · Leonard Avenue

Arrive at destination

Leonard Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 41-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your convenience without complex pacing strategies. There are no mandatory stops required for this 25.2-mile stretch, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that because you are using a combination of the Lowell Connector and Cambridge Street, traffic patterns can shift quickly, so checking your GPS before you head out is a smart move. Budget your $4 for fuel before leaving Lowell to ensure a stress-free arrival in Cambridge. Use the flexibility of this short travel time to plan your arrival exactly when you need to be there.

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 12.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 17m 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 25.2 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 12.6 miles or 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, 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 25.2 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 12.6 mi from City of Lowell, MA · 17m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

13 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 25.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cambridge, MA

The final approach into Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, 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

$4.01 one way

$8.02 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$4.36	$8.72
premium	$4.80	$4.76	$9.52
diesel	$5.64	$5.60	$11.20

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: 8.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	7.6	$2.65	$1.21
Efficient EV	6.3	$2.20	$1.01
EV Truck/SUV	10.1	$3.53	$1.61

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

City of Lowell, MA

Evening in City of Lowell on Sunday

Local time

7:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, MA

Evening in Cambridge on Sunday

Local time

7:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

13 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 Cambridge, MA covers 25.2 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, Cambridge Street, Lowell Connector. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 12.6 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 $4.01 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.

On the drive from City of Lowell, MA to Cambridge, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.

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Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

City of Lowell, MA

Cambridge, MA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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