The drive from Lowell, MA to North Scituate, MA covers 48.6 miles and takes about 1h 16m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 3, Southeast Expressway, John F. Fitzgerald Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.7 miles on US 3.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.78 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
24.3 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 34m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 16m drive with frequent turns across 48.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 56 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?
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 around 12.3 miles in near US 3.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 48.6 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 14.6 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 34 key points
These 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
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
32.7 mi into trip|~46m in|MA 3A
Take the exit onto MA 3A toward MA 3A South: Neponset, Quincy
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 12
Toward MA 3A South: Neponset, Quincy
7
33.3 mi into trip|~48m in|MA 3A / Hancock Street
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3A / Hancock Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lowell, MA and North Scituate, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere, Concord New Hampshire and Quincy.
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
Quincy
32.7 mi in|~46m|via MA 3A
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 3
10.7 mi
13m
Southeast Expressway
3.8 mi
5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3 mi
4m
Chief Justice Cushing Highway
2.7 mi
4m
Interstate 93 HOV lane
2.5 mi
3m
Newport Avenue Extension
2.3 mi
5m
Lowell Connector
2.1 mi
2m
Cambridge Road
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 3
— 10.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and North Scituate, 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
7
Continue on Lowell Connector
1.1 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
Exit 1AToward US 3 South: Boston
8
Merge onto US 3
9.1 mi·10 min·US 3
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi·2 min·US 3
Exit 72AToward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, PeabodyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 3
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 51AToward US 3 South: WinchesterUse 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
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
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: BostonUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 93
1.1 mi·1 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.8 mi·5 min·Southeast Expressway
32
Take the exit onto MA 3A
0.2 mi·39 sec·MA 3A
Exit 12Toward MA 3A South: Neponset, QuincyUse the slight right lane.
33
Merge onto MA 3A
0.1 mi·8 sec·Gallivan Boulevard
34
Take the exit onto MA 3A
0.3 mi·32 sec·MA 3A
35
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3A
0.2 mi·25 sec·Hancock Street
Use the slight right lane.
36
Turn slight right onto Newport Avenue Extension
2.3 mi·5 min·Newport Avenue Extension
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left onto Adams Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Adams Street
38
Turn straight onto Hancock Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Hancock Street
39
Continue on Washington Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Enter roundabout onto MA 3A
220 ft·3 sec·Washington Street
41
Continue on MA 3A
451 ft·7 sec·Washington Street
42
Continue on MA 3A
0.3 mi·1 min·Fore River Bridge
43
Continue on MA 3A
1.7 mi·2 min·Bridge Street
44
Continue on MA 3A
1.5 mi·2 min·Lincoln Street
45
Continue on MA 3A
0.6 mi·55 sec·Broad Cove Road
46
Continue on MA 3A
0.6 mi·1 min·Otis Street
47
Continue on MA 3A
0.2 mi·14 sec·Summer Street
48
Enter roundabout onto MA 3A
134 ft·2 sec·Justice Cushing Way
49
Continue on MA 3A
1.9 mi·2 min·Justice Cushing Way
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Continue on MA 3A
0.8 mi·1 min·Chief Justice Cushing Highway
51
Continue on MA 3A
0.6 mi·56 sec·King Street
52
Continue on MA 3A
1.9 mi·3 min·Chief Justice Cushing Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
53
Turn left onto Henry Turner Bailey Road
0.4 mi·54 sec·Henry Turner Bailey Road
Use the left lane.
54
Continue on Gannett Road
160 ft·7 sec·Gannett Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
55
Turn right
102 ft·7 sec
56
Arrive at destination
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 24.3 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 34m 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 48.6 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.3 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Scituate, 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 48.6 miles and 1h 16m.
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 24.3 mi from Lowell, MA
· 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North Scituate, MA
The final approach into North Scituate, 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 North Scituate, MA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Adams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...
Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes t...
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 40.3
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the Ameri...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 11.7
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 21.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.78 one way
$15.56 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg17 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$8.48
$16.96
premium
$4.82
$9.23
$18.46
diesel
$5.61
$10.73
$21.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
14.6
0
$5.10
$2.33
Efficient EV
12.2
0
$4.25
$1.94
EV Truck/SUV
19.4
0
$6.80
$3.11
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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 4 days ago
Origin
Lowell, MA
Night
in Lowell on Tuesday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Scituate, MA
Night
in North Scituate on Tuesday
Local time
11:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
24 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
4 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
1h 16m 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 North Scituate, MA covers 48.6 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 3, Southeast Expressway, John F. Fitzgerald Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.3 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 $7.78 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 34 significant decision points across 48.6 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 14.6 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lowell, MA and North Scituate, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere, Concord New Hampshire and Quincy.
