Origin
Lowell, MA
Evening in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA
Drive Time
28m
Distance
21 mi
34 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Arlington, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Traveling the 21 miles from Lowell to Arlington is a straightforward transit through Massachusetts that typically takes about 28 minutes. Since this is a short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 3, the Lowell Connector, and Cambridge Street to complete your journey. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route for commuters or weekend travelers. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a practical, efficient path that connects two distinct local hubs with minimal logistical effort.
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
10.5 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 21-mile trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing highway speed with local transitions. Approximately 51% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a quick transition between cities before you move into local road networks. You can expect your longest uninterrupted stretch to be 10.7 miles while cruising along US 3. As you move away from the Lowell Connector, the road character shifts from high-speed highway lanes to the more localized feel of Cambridge Street. Expect a functional, no-frills driving experience that emphasizes utility over scenic detours.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 10.7 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 1 miles in near Lowell Connector.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 21 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 1 miles (Lowell Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (US 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Lowell Connector
Merge onto Lowell Connector
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 3
Merge onto US 3
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
12.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
6
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
14.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 South: Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
Peabody
12.3 mi in
|
~15m
|
via US 3
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| Cambridge Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Lowell Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Cambridge Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Mystic Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Chelmsford Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Massachusetts Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 10.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Arlington, MA.
1
Start on Hale Street
486 ft
·
14 sec
·
Hale Street
2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
16 sec
·
Cambridge Street
3
Turn left onto MA 110
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Chelmsford Street
4
Turn left onto Plain Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Plain Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
6
Merge onto Lowell Connector
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Connector
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on Lowell Connector
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Connector
Exit 1A
Toward US 3 South: Boston
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto US 3
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 3
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 3
Use the none lane.
11
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
12
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 3
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 3
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Road
15
Continue on US 3
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 3
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mystic Street
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Academy Street
320 ft
·
18 sec
·
Academy Street
19
Turn left
203 ft
·
14 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 28-minute duration of this trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops since the route is direct and requires no mid-way breaks. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on US 3 can fluctuate, so checking local congestion levels before you head out is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is a modest $3, you can easily budget for this drive without needing to hunt for cheap gas stations along the way. Use the short length of this commute to your advantage by planning your arrival in Arlington around your specific schedule rather than worrying about road fatigue.
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 10.5 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.7 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.5 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lowell, 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 Lowell, MA
This is one driving day of about 21 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lowell, 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 10.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.5 mi from Lowell, MA · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.5 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, MA
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$3.34 one way
$6.69 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $3.64 | $7.27 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.97 | $7.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.67 | $9.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.20 | $1.01 |
| Efficient EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.84 | $0.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.94 | $1.34 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Arlington, MA
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
11 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
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
28m 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 Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA covers 21 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Cambridge Street, Lowell Connector. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.5 miles from Lowell, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.34 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 15 significant decision points across 21 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 1 miles (Lowell Connector): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (US 3): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Peabody along the way.
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