Trip from Lowell, MA to Barre, MA

Drive Time

1h 19m

Distance

51.7 mi

83 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min

4 AM

1h 13m ★

6 AM

1h 19m

8 AM

1h 32m

10 AM

1h 24m

12 PM

1h 22m

3 PM

1h 24m

5 PM

1h 31m

8 PM

1h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Lowell to Barre, expect a straightforward 51.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 19 minutes to complete. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, it remains an affordable trek across the Northeast region of Massachusetts. You will navigate a combination of major thoroughfares like I-495 and the Concord Turnpike, alongside the Captain Isaac Davis Highway. Because the route is relatively short and efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a necessary commute.

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

25.8 miles from Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing fast-paced highway segments with calmer local stretches. You will spend about 42% of your time on highways, providing a steady rhythm before the road transitions into more varied terrain. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Captain Isaac Davis Highway, which spans 10.9 miles of the journey. As you move away from the busier interstate sections, the road's personality shifts, requiring you to adjust to different speeds and driving conditions. It is a functional route that keeps you moving consistently toward your destination without excessive time spent in heavy traffic patterns.

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.

Captain Isaac Davis Highway 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 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 20 significant decision points across 51.7 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

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.

1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire

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 2B-A Toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nash...

2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Worcester

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward I 495 South: Worcester

2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

35.1 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward MA 2A, MA 140 South: Westminster

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 92 Toward MA 2A, MA 140 South: Westminster

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Captain Isaac Davis Highway	10.9 mi	14m
I 495	10.7 mi	12m
Concord Turnpike	10.4 mi	14m
South Street	3.6 mi	7m
New Westminster Road	3.5 mi	6m
Hubbardston Road	3.5 mi	6m
Barre Road	2.4 mi	4m
Brigham Street	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Captain Isaac Davis Highway — 10.9 mi, about 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Hale Street

486 ft · 14 sec · Hale Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 16 sec · Cambridge Street

Turn left onto MA 110

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Chelmsford Street

Turn left onto Plain Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Plain Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto Lowell Connector

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Exit 2B-A Toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 2A Toward I 495 South: Worcester Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Merge onto I 495

11 mi · 12 min · I 495

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 78B Toward MA 2 West: Leominster

Merge onto MA 2

11 mi · 14 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

10 mi · 14 min · Concord Turnpike

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Exit 92 Toward MA 2A, MA 140 South: Westminster

Keep slight right at fork

305 ft · 8 sec

Turn straight onto MA 2A; MA 140

0.1 mi · 14 sec · State Road East

Turn right onto MA 2A

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn left onto South Street

3.6 mi · 7 min · South Street

Continue on New Westminster Road

3.5 mi · 6 min · New Westminster Road

Continue on Brigham Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · Brigham Street

Continue on Elm Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Elm Street

Continue on Barre Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · Barre Road

Turn right onto MA 62

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Old Boston Turnpike

Continue on MA 62

3.5 mi · 6 min · Hubbardston Road

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 62

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Mechanic Street

Turn right onto MA 62

157 ft · 3 sec · Exchange Street

Turn left onto MA 62

280 ft · 14 sec · School Street North

Turn left onto MA 32; MA 122

142 ft · 2 sec · Concert Mall

Arrive at destination

MA 32; MA 122

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 1 hour and 19-minute drive, you have the advantage of setting your own pace without the pressure of a rigid schedule. There are no mandatory stops required for this 51.7-mile distance, allowing you to complete the trip in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will stay low at around $8, so you can focus your budget on your destination activities. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid peak commuting hours on I-495 to ensure a smoother transition between road types. A helpful tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the Captain Isaac Davis Highway section beforehand, as it serves as your longest continuous stretch of driving.

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 25.8 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 34m 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 51.7 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 25.8 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 1h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barre, 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 51.7 miles and 1h 19m.

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 Captain Isaac Davis Highway for about 10.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.8 mi from Lowell, MA · 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

26 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 51.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Barre, MA

The final approach into Barre, 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 Barre, 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

$8.23 one way

$16.46 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$8.95	$17.90
premium	$4.80	$9.77	$19.54
diesel	$5.64	$11.49	$22.97

Estimated Tolls: $0.73

Concord Turnpike (10.4 mi) $0.73

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	15.5	$5.43	$2.48
Efficient EV	12.9	$4.52	$2.07
EV Truck/SUV	20.7	$7.24	$3.31

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lowell, MA

Evening in Lowell on Sunday

Local time

5:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barre, MA

Evening in Barre on Sunday

Local time

5:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1h 19m 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 Barre, MA covers 51.7 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Captain Isaac Davis Highway, I 495, Concord Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 25.8 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 $8.23 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.

The route from Lowell, MA to Barre, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Barre, MA to Lowell, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

51.5 mi 1h 19m

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Trip from Lowell, MA to Barre, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Barre, MA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lowell, MA

Barre, MA

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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