Trip from City of Lowell, MA to East Dennis, MA

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

107.2 mi

173 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: David Kanigan

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lowell to East Dennis covers 107.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Since this trip stays within the Northeast region, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making this an affordable excursion for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery. The route relies on a combination of MA 3, the Pilgrims Highway, and the Mid Cape Highway to get you to your destination efficiently. It is a straightforward drive that works well for those looking to reach the coast without a complicated itinerary.

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

53.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed drive profile that keeps the journey engaging by transitioning between different road types. With 53% of the travel occurring on highways, you will experience a blend of fast-paced transit and more localized driving conditions. You should prepare for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.9 miles while navigating MA 3, which helps you make steady progress toward the coast. As you move from the inland area of Lowell toward the Cape, the road character shifts, requiring you to remain alert as traffic patterns fluctuate. The balance of major thoroughfares ensures you spend less time idling and more time moving toward East Dennis.

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

There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 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 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 32 significant decision points across 107.2 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 15 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 32 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

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

37.3 mi into trip | ~54m in | MA 3

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod

Towns Along This Route

Between City of Lowell, MA and East Dennis, 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
MA 3	30.9 mi	39m
Mid Cape Highway	22.8 mi	31m
Pilgrims Highway	12 mi	15m
US 3	10.7 mi	13m
Southeast Expressway	8 mi	10m
East West Dennis Road	3.2 mi	6m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway	3 mi	4m
Interstate 93 HOV lane	2.5 mi	3m

Longest stretch: MA 3 — 30.9 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Lowell, MA and East Dennis, 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

3.0 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

8.0 mi · 10 min · Southeast Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3

31 mi · 39 min · MA 3

Exit 7 Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3

12 mi · 15 min · Pilgrims Highway

Continue on MA 3

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Pilgrim Highway

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge

Continue on US 6

23 mi · 31 min · Mid Cape Highway

Use the none / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min

Exit 78B Toward MA 134 North: Dennis

Turn straight onto MA 134

3.2 mi · 6 min · East West Dennis Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto MA 6A

135 ft · 11 sec · Cranberry Highway

Turn left

49 ft · 3 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 2 hour and 28 minute drive, consider timing your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, as traffic on these primary routes can vary significantly. Since there are zero official stops planned in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break or want to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $17 estimated cost assumes steady driving conditions. Given the moderate length of this 107.2-mile trip, you can easily complete it in one go, but stay mindful of the transition onto the Mid Cape Highway to ensure you navigate the final leg of your journey smoothly.

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 53.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 80 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.6 miles or 1h 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 1h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dennis, 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 107.2 miles and 2h 28m.

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 MA 3 for about 30.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53.6 mi from City of Lowell, MA · 1h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

54 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

Boston, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from City of Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in East Dennis, MA

The final approach into East Dennis, 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 East Dennis, 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

$17.06 one way

$34.13 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$18.56	$37.11
premium	$4.80	$20.25	$40.51
diesel	$5.64	$23.82	$47.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	32.2	$11.26	$5.15
Efficient EV	26.8	$9.38	$4.29
EV Truck/SUV	42.9	$15.01	$6.86

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (66% 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

Afternoon in City of Lowell on Sunday

Local time

2:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Dennis, MA

Afternoon in East Dennis on Sunday

Local time

2:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

54 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

15 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

2h 28m 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 East Dennis, MA covers 107.2 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 53.6 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 $17.06 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 East Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.

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Return Trip

East Dennis, MA to City of Lowell, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

106.5 mi 2h 26m

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Trip from City of Lowell, MA to East Dennis, MA

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 East Dennis, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

City of Lowell, MA

East Dennis, MA

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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