The drive from Dalton, MA to Lowell, MA covers 123.5 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MA 2, Concord Turnpike, I 495 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.5 miles on MA 2.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.7 miles from Dalton, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 123.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 123.5 miles, with most of the trip on MA 2 and Concord Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.5 miles on MA 2.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 2 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.3 miles in near MA 2.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 123.5 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 46.3 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
46.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|MA 2
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2 toward MA 2 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 27
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
6
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
110.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
6
120.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dalton, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Lawrence
110.1 mi in|~2h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
53.5 mi
1h 17m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
I 495
10.2 mi
11m
Mohawk Trail
10 mi
15m
Route 9
8.1 mi
12m
Berkshire Trail
4.8 mi
6m
Ashfield Road
3.9 mi
6m
Plainfield Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dalton, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Stockbridge Avenue
253 ft·13 sec·Stockbridge Avenue
2
Turn right onto Glennon Avenue
378 ft·17 sec·Glennon Avenue
3
Turn left onto MA 8; MA 9
0.3 mi·49 sec·Main Street
4
Turn left onto MA 9
2.7 mi·4 min·North Street
5
Continue on MA 8A; MA 9
8.1 mi·12 min·Route 9
6
Continue on MA 9
0.7 mi·1 min·Marine Corps League Highway
7
Continue on MA 9
4.8 mi·6 min·Berkshire Trail
8
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Main Street
9
Turn left onto Plainfield Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Plainfield Road
10
Continue on South Central Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·South Central Street
11
Turn right onto Gloyd Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Gloyd Street
12
Continue on Pleasant Street
0.6 mi·58 sec·Pleasant Street
13
Turn slight right onto MA 116
1.5 mi·3 min·Plainfield Road
14
Continue on MA 116
2.4 mi·6 min·Spruce Corner Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto MA 112; MA 116
1.4 mi·2 min·Suburban Drive
16
Continue on MA 112
2.5 mi·3 min·Ashfield Mountain Road
17
Continue on MA 112
1.0 mi·1 min·Ashfield Road
18
Continue on MA 112
1.4 mi·2 min·Lower Street
19
Continue on MA 112
2.9 mi·5 min·Ashfield Road
20
Continue on MA 112
0.2 mi·28 sec·Connector Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto MA 2; MA 112
10.0 mi·15 min·Mohawk Trail
22
Enter roundabout onto MA 2
0.2 mi·12 sec·MA 2
23
Continue on MA 2
2.4 mi·2 min·MA 2
24
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2
51 mi·1 hr 14 min·MA 2
Exit 27Toward MA 2 East: Boston
25
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
28
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·11 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
30
Turn right onto MA 110
2.6 mi·4 min·Chelmsford Street
31
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft·14 sec·Cambridge Street
32
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft·13 sec·Hale Street
33
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.7 miles from Dalton, MA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.7 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
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 Dalton, 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 Dalton, MA
This is one driving day of about 123.5 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Dalton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MA 2 for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.7 mi from Dalton, MA
· 1h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 61.7 miles from Dalton, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 114.9
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 55.3
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
$15
near mile 119.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.1
0
$12.97
$5.93
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.81
$4.94
EV Truck/SUV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.90
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Dalton, MA
Morning
in Dalton on Saturday
Local time
6:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lowell, MA
Morning
in Lowell on Saturday
Local time
6:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Greenfield, MA
62 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
2 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
3h 7m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dalton, MA to Lowell, MA covers 123.5 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 2, Concord Turnpike, I 495. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.7 miles from Dalton, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 123.5 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 46.3 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Dalton, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
