Origin
Lowell, MA
Afternoon in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lowell, MA to East Dennis, MA
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
106.8 mi
172 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
East Dennis, MA
David Kanigan
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lowell to East Dennis covers 106.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Northeast region, you will find it manageable as a straightforward day trip, though you might prefer an overnight stay to fully enjoy the coastal atmosphere upon arrival. Expect to budget roughly $17 for fuel to complete the transit. The route relies heavily on major arteries like MA 3 and the Mid Cape Highway to bridge the distance between the Merrimack Valley and the Cape. It is a practical, direct drive that works well for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two Massachusetts points.
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
53.4 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 53% of your time spent on highways. You will navigate a significant stretch of MA 3, which includes the longest uninterrupted segment of the journey at 30.9 miles. While the route begins with standard highway driving, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto the Pilgrims Highway and eventually the Mid Cape Highway. Expect a functional experience that balances high-speed transit with the transition into the unique infrastructure of the Cape. It is neither a purely monotonous interstate grind nor a slow local crawl, but rather a steady progression that requires you to stay alert through varying traffic patterns.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 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 12.3 miles in near US 3.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 106.8 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 12.3 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
22 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 South: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 93 South: Boston
8
36.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Towns Along This Route
Between Lowell, MA and East Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.
Peabody
12.3 mi in
|
~15m
|
via US 3
Revere
21.8 mi in
|
~31m
|
via MA 16
Concord New Hampshire
21.9 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3 | 30.9 mi | 39m |
| Mid Cape Highway | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| Pilgrims Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| US 3 | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| Southeast Expressway | 8 mi | 10m |
| East West Dennis Road | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| John F. Fitzgerald Expressway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Interstate 93 HOV lane | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and East Dennis, 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
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cambridge Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Bacon Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bacon Street
18
Enter roundabout onto MA 38
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
19
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Main Street
20
Continue on MA 38
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Winthrop Street
Use the none lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto MA 38
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Winthrop Street
22
Continue on MA 38
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Winthrop Street
23
Turn left onto MA 16; MA 38
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mystic Valley Parkway
24
Continue on MA 16
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mystic Valley Parkway
Toward MA 16 East: Everett, Revere
25
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 93: Boston, Concord New Hampshire
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 93 South: Boston
Use the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 93
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 93
Use the none lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 93 HOV lane
Use the slight left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 93 HOV lane
30
Merge onto I 93; US 1
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Use the none lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi
·
39 min
·
MA 3
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Use the slight left lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Pilgrims Highway
34
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pilgrim Highway
35
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Sagamore Bridge
36
Continue on US 6
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Mid Cape Highway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 78B
Toward MA 134 North: Dennis
38
Turn straight onto MA 134
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East West Dennis Road
Use the none lane.
39
Turn left onto MA 6A
135 ft
·
11 sec
·
Cranberry Highway
40
Turn left
49 ft
·
3 sec
41
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic trends to avoid congestion on the major highways. Aim to fill your tank before heading out to keep your $17 fuel budget on track without needing to hunt for stations mid-route. Given that there are no scheduled stops in the data, try to build in your own breaks to maintain energy levels during the 2-hour and 26-minute transit. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning from MA 3 onto the Mid Cape Highway, as highway transitions can be the most demanding part of the drive. Embracing the lack of mandatory stops allows you to set your own pace and arrive in East Dennis on your own schedule.
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 53.4 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 1h 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 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Dennis, 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 106.8 miles and 2h 26m.
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 MA 3 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.4 mi from Lowell, MA · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Dennis, MA
The final approach into East Dennis, 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 East Dennis, 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
$17.00 one way
$34.00 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $18.49 | $36.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.18 | $40.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.73 | $47.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
East Dennis, MA
Afternoon in East Dennis on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
53 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
16 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
2h 26m 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 East Dennis, MA covers 106.8 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 3, Mid Cape Highway, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.4 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 $17.00 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 30 significant decision points across 106.8 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 12.3 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lowell, MA and East Dennis, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.
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