Origin
Jamaica Plain, MA
Night in Jamaica Plain on Thursday
Local time
10:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jamaica Plain, MA to Lowell, MA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
50m
Distance
33.5 mi
54 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Phil Evenden
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
This 33.5-mile drive from Jamaica Plain, MA, to Lowell, MA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 50 minutes. With only a 38% highway share, it offers a mixed driving experience. Plan for a fuel cost of around $5 for this journey, which is ideal as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The route stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in Massachusetts. It's a convenient option for a quick local excursion or commute, with minimal time commitment and a low budget.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 33.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
You'll encounter a mixed drive on this route, with 38% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 12.7 miles on the Yankee Division Highway. Expect a blend of faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you transition between them. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it's a drive that offers some diversity in how you'll be navigating, making the 50-minute journey feel dynamic.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Yankee Division Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.7 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 4.2 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 21 decision points packed into just 33.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Turn left toward MA 9 West: Wellesley
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MA 9 West: Wellesley
8
20.3 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
20.4 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
31 mi into trip
|
~45m 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
31.7 mi into trip
|
~47m 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 Jamaica Plain, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
Portsmouth New Hampshire
7.2 mi in
|
~14m
Middlesex Turnpike
20.3 mi in
|
~32m
Burlington
20.3 mi in
|
~32m
Nashua New Hampshire
20.3 mi in
|
~32m
Marlboro
31 mi in
|
~45m
Chelmsford
31.5 mi in
|
~46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Yankee Division Highway | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| US 3 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Boylston Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Chelmsford Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Roxbury Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Centre Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| Hammond Pond Parkway | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Yankee Division Highway
— 12.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica Plain, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Orchard Street
313 ft
·
13 sec
·
Orchard Street
2
Turn right onto Centre Street
338 ft
·
14 sec
·
Centre Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Centre Street
214 ft
·
7 sec
·
Centre Street
4
Continue on Centre Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn slight right onto Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway
6
Enter roundabout onto West Roxbury Parkway
44 ft
·
0 sec
·
West Roxbury Parkway
7
Continue on West Roxbury Parkway
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Roxbury Parkway
8
Enter roundabout onto West Roxbury Parkway
289 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Roxbury Parkway
9
Continue on West Roxbury Parkway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roxbury Parkway
10
Enter roundabout onto Hammond Pond Parkway
256 ft
·
4 sec
·
Hammond Pond Parkway
11
Continue on Hammond Pond Parkway
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hammond Pond Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left
363 ft
·
10 sec
Toward MA 9 West: Wellesley
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on this road
437 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
Toward MA 9 West: Wellesley
14
Merge onto MA 9
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Boylston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on MA 9
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Worcester Street
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Peabody, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
21
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 81C
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
26
Turn right onto MA 110
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Chelmsford Street
27
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cambridge Street
28
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hale Street
29
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.7 mi from Jamaica Plain, MA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.7 miles from Jamaica Plain, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lowell, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Lowell, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.36 one way
$10.72 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.85 | $11.69 |
| premium | $4.82 | $6.36 | $12.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.40 | $14.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.52 | $1.61 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.93 | $1.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.69 | $2.14 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Lowell, MA
Night in Lowell on Thursday
Local time
10:08 PM
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
1 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
50m 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 Jamaica Plain, MA to Lowell, MA covers 33.5 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Yankee Division Highway, US 3, Boylston Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 miles from Jamaica Plain, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.36 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 21 decision points packed into just 33.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jamaica Plain, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Boston National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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