Trip from Cohasset, MA to Lowell, MA

Drive Time

1h 13m

Distance

46.9 mi

75 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 8m ★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m

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

Downtown Lowell, MA, MA

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Traveling from Cohasset to Lowell covers 46.9 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes. This trip is perfect for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Southeast Expressway, the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway, and US 3, transitioning through the heart of the Northeast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, this is an affordable journey for any traveler. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a reliable choice 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

23.4 miles from Cohasset, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between dense urban corridors and highway cruising. Roughly 46 percent of your journey is spent on highways, balancing speed with the reality of Massachusetts traffic patterns. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 10.9 miles on US 3, which offers a brief period of consistent momentum. The road character shifts as you move through the expressway segments, requiring you to stay alert through varying lane densities. It is a functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over rural backroads, keeping you focused on the road ahead.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 49 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 10.9 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 24.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 46.9 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 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.9 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

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

8
24.3 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington

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 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlin...
8
33.7 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 3

Take the exit onto US 3 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 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
9
33.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 3

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 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 none lane. Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9
34.1 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 3

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3 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 none lane. Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
8
44.4 mi into trip | ~1h 9m 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...

Towns Along This Route

Between Cohasset, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro.

Arlington

24.3 mi in | ~41m

Middlesex Turnpike

33.7 mi in | ~56m | via US 3

Burlington

33.7 mi in | ~56m | via US 3

Nashua New Hampshire

33.7 mi in | ~56m | via US 3

Marlboro

44.4 mi in | ~1h 9m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 3 10.9 mi 13m
Southeast Expressway 3.3 mi 4m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway 3.2 mi 5m
I 93 3.1 mi 4m
Newport Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
Cambridge Road 2 mi 2m
Justice Cushing Way 1.9 mi 2m
Cambridge Street 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 3 — 10.9 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cohasset, MA and Lowell, MA.

1

Start on North Main Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto King Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · King Street
3

Turn right onto MA 3A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Chief Justice Cushing Highway
4

Continue on MA 3A

1.9 mi · 2 min · Justice Cushing Way
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5

Enter roundabout onto MA 3A

353 ft · 6 sec · Summer Street
6

Continue on MA 3A

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Summer Street
7

Continue on MA 3A

0.6 mi · 1 min · Otis Street
8

Continue on MA 3A

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Broad Cove Road
9

Continue on MA 3A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
Use the none lane.
10

Continue on MA 3A

1.7 mi · 2 min · Bridge Street
11

Continue on MA 3A

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fore River Bridge
12

Continue on MA 3A

464 ft · 7 sec · Washington Street
13

Enter roundabout onto MA 3A

190 ft · 3 sec · Washington Street
14

Continue on MA 3A

1.6 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on Hancock Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Hancock Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto Adams Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Adams Street
17

Turn right onto Newport Avenue

2.3 mi · 4 min · Newport Avenue
Use the right lane.
18

Turn slight left onto MA 3A

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Hancock Street
19

Continue on MA 3A

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Neponset Avenue
20

Merge onto MA 3A

247 ft · 6 sec · William T. Morrissey Boulevard
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
21

Take the exit onto MA 3A

0.3 mi · 34 sec · MA 3A
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
22

Merge onto I 93; US 1; MA 3

3.3 mi · 4 min · Southeast Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

3.2 mi · 5 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 93

3.1 mi · 4 min · I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord NH Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on MA 16

1.1 mi · 2 min · Mystic Valley Parkway
27

Turn right onto MA 38

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Winthrop Street
Use the right lane.
28

Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street

117 ft · 2 sec · Winthrop Street
29

Continue on Winthrop Street

1.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Street
30

Continue on MA 38

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Main Street
31

Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street

94 ft · 1 sec · Bacon Street
32

Continue on Bacon Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bacon Street
33

Turn left onto Church Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Church Street
34

Turn right onto US 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street
35

Continue on US 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road
36

Continue on US 3

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Cambridge Street
37

Take the exit onto US 3

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 3
Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell
38

Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128

1.1 mi · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
39

Take the exit onto US 3

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 3
Exit 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 3
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire Use the none lane.
41

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3

9.8 mi · 11 min · US 3
Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire Use the none lane.
42

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.5 mi · 32 sec · US 3
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
43

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.
44

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
45

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 81C Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
46

Turn right onto MA 110

1.4 mi · 2 min · Chelmsford Street
47

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 14 sec · Cambridge Street
48

Turn left onto Hale Street

486 ft · 13 sec · Hale Street
49

Arrive at destination

Hale Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 13-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. However, given the major expressways involved, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you stay within the estimated duration. You won't need to plan for formal stops on this 46.9-mile route, but keeping $7 set aside for fuel ensures you start with a full tank. Use the longest 10.9-mile stretch on US 3 to settle into a steady pace, but remain prepared for the inevitable traffic fluctuations near the city centers. Keeping your navigation apps active will help you maneuver around any sudden congestion on the expressways.

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 23.4 miles from Cohasset, MA, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 46.9 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 23.4 miles or 40m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cohasset, 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 Cohasset, MA

This is one driving day of about 46.9 miles and 1h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cohasset, 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 10.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.4 mi from Cohasset, MA · 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

23 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Cohasset, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lowell, MA

The final approach into Lowell, 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 Lowell, 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

$7.47 one way

$14.93 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $8.12 $16.24
premium $4.80 $8.86 $17.72
diesel $5.64 $10.42 $20.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 14.1 0 $4.92 $2.25
Efficient EV 11.7 0 $4.10 $1.88
EV Truck/SUV 18.8 0 $6.57 $3.00

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Cohasset, MA

Evening in Cohasset on Sunday

Local time

6:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, MA

Evening in Lowell on Sunday

Local time

6:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

23 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

3 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

1h 13m 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 Cohasset, MA to Lowell, MA covers 46.9 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Southeast Expressway, John F. Fitzgerald Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.4 miles from Cohasset, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.47 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 29 significant decision points across 46.9 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 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.9 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cohasset, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Marlboro.

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Return Trip

Lowell, MA to Cohasset, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

47.2 mi 1h 14m

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