Origin
Cochituate, MA
Late night in Cochituate on Friday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cochituate, MA to Lowell, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
28.7 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
Cochituate, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
This 28.7-mile drive from Cochituate to Lowell, Massachusetts, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 41 minutes. Considered a single-day excursion, it won't require an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes US 3 and the Yankee Division Highway, with a portion on Boston Post Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, this is an economical option for getting between these two Northeast communities. It's a practical choice for a quick journey without much fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 28.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a drive with a 34% highway share, meaning you'll encounter both faster-paced sections and more local road driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 9.9 miles on US 3, providing a good opportunity to settle in. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests a varied experience, transitioning between different road types as you progress toward Lowell. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise but rather a blend that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 9.9 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 15.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 28.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
15.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit 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 50A-B
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
9
15.6 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight right at fork 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
6
25.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
26.2 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...
8
26.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 81C
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cochituate, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
Middlesex Turnpike
15.5 mi in
|
~23m
Burlington
15.5 mi in
|
~23m
Nashua New Hampshire
15.5 mi in
|
~23m
Marlboro
26.2 mi in
|
~37m
Chelmsford
26.7 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Boston Post Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Old Connecticut Path | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Chelmsford Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Cochituate Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Weston Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 9.9 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cochituate, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
88 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right onto MA 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on MA 27
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Cochituate Road
5
Turn right onto Old Connecticut Path
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Connecticut Path
6
Merge onto US 20
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Boston Post Road
7
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Weston Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
9
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 50A-B
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
13
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 81C
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
18
Turn right onto MA 110
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Chelmsford Street
19
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cambridge Street
20
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hale Street
21
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.59 one way
$9.19 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.01 | $10.02 |
| premium | $4.82 | $5.45 | $10.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.34 | $12.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.51 | $1.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
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
Lowell, MA
Late night in Lowell on Friday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
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 Cochituate, MA to Lowell, MA covers 28.7 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, Yankee Division Highway, Boston Post Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.3 miles from Cochituate, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.59 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 28.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cochituate, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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