Origin
Holliston, MA
Night in Holliston on Wednesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Holliston, MA to Lowell, MA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h
Distance
39.3 mi
63 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Holliston, MA
Italo Melo
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
The drive from Holliston, MA to Lowell, MA covers 39.3 miles and takes about 1h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 3, Yankee Division Highway, North Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.9 miles on US 3. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.29 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.6 miles from Holliston, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h drive with frequent turns across 39.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Railroad Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.3 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Railroad Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Railroad Street
Turn sharp right onto Railroad Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
26.1 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
26.2 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
8
36.8 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
37.5 mi into trip
|
~57m 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 Holliston, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
Middlesex Turnpike
26.1 mi in
|
~43m
Burlington
26.1 mi in
|
~43m
Nashua New Hampshire
26.1 mi in
|
~43m
Marlboro
36.8 mi in
|
~56m
Chelmsford
37.3 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| North Main Street | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Washington Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 9.9 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holliston, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Winthrop Street
28 ft
·
7 sec
·
Winthrop Street
2
Turn left onto Central Street
169 ft
·
9 sec
·
Central Street
3
Turn sharp right onto Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Railroad Street
4
Continue on Woodland Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Woodland Street
5
Turn right onto MA 16
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Washington Street
6
Turn straight onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Washington Street
7
Turn straight onto MA 16; MA 27
5.6 mi
·
10 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Enter roundabout onto MA 27
76 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
9
Continue on MA 27
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
10
Continue on MA 27
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Cochituate Road
11
Turn right onto Old Connecticut Path
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Connecticut Path
12
Merge onto US 20
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Boston Post Road
13
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Weston Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth New Hampshire
15
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
19
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 81C
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
24
Turn right onto MA 110
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Chelmsford Street
25
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cambridge Street
26
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hale Street
27
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
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 19.6 miles from Holliston, MA, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.9 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 39 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.6 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
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 Holliston, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Holliston, MA
This is one driving day of about 39.3 miles and 1h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Holliston, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 3 for about 9.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.6 mi from Holliston, MA · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from Holliston, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.29 one way
$12.58 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.86 | $13.72 |
| premium | $4.82 | $7.46 | $14.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.68 | $17.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.13 | $1.89 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.44 | $1.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.50 | $2.52 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Night in Lowell on Wednesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 to 9 mph
5% chance
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
17 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 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 Holliston, MA to Lowell, MA covers 39.3 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Yankee Division Highway, North Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.6 miles from Holliston, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.29 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.3 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Railroad Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Holliston, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
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