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Trip from Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 42m

Distance

78.3 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

32 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 35m ★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m

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

Downtown Lowell, MA, MA

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Downtown Ocean Grove, MA, MA

Ocean Grove, MA

David Kanigan

Trip Overview

The drive from Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA covers 78.3 miles and takes about 1h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Amvets Highway, Yankee Division Highway, US 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.7 miles on Amvets Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.53 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.

Midpoint

39.2 miles from Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 78.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 42m drive with frequent turns across 78.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Amvets Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 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.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.3 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

8
12.3 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 72B Toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island
8
35.7 mi into trip | ~47m in | US 1

Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston

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 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
7
38.8 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4 Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 7 Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
6
74.7 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | MA 138

Take the exit onto MA 138 toward MA 103 West, MA 138 North: Somerset, Warren Rhode Island

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

Toward MA 103 West, MA 138 North: Somerset, War...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerset along the way.

Somerset

72.1 mi in | ~1h 30m | via MA 79

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Amvets Highway 32.7 mi 37m
Yankee Division Highway 22.7 mi 30m
US 3 9.1 mi 10m
US 1 3.1 mi 4m
Wilbur Avenue 2.8 mi 4m
Lowell Connector 2.1 mi 2m
Western Fall River Expressway 2 mi 2m
Chelmsford Street 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Amvets Highway — 32.7 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Ocean Grove, 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 1A Toward US 3 South: Boston
8

Merge onto US 3

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 3
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 54 sec
Exit 72B Toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 95; MA 128

23 mi · 30 min · Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 1

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 1
Exit 26 Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 4 Toward MA 24 South: Fall River Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on MA 24

33 mi · 37 min · Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79

2.0 mi · 2 min · Western Fall River Expressway
Exit 7 Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
16

Merge onto US 6; MA 138

0.1 mi · 1 min · Veterans Memorial Bridge
17

Take the exit onto MA 138

0.2 mi · 20 sec · MA 138
Toward MA 103 West, MA 138 North: Somerset, Warren Rhode Island
18

Keep slight left at fork

228 ft · 11 sec
Toward MA 103 West: Warren Rhode Island
19

Turn left onto MA 138

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Riverside Avenue
20

Enter roundabout onto MA 103

11 ft · 0 sec · Wilbur Avenue
21

Continue on MA 103

2.8 mi · 4 min · Wilbur Avenue
22

Turn left onto Coleman Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Coleman Street
23

Turn left onto Puffer Avenue

84 ft · 5 sec · Puffer Avenue
24

Turn right onto Clancy Street

244 ft · 10 sec · Clancy Street
25

Arrive at destination

Clancy Street

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 39.2 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 17 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.2 miles or 52m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ocean Grove, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lowell, MA

This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lowell, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Amvets Highway for about 32.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.2 mi from Lowell, MA · 52m into the drive

town in Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dedham, MA

39 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

Waltham, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.2 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ocean Grove, MA

The final approach into Ocean Grove, MA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Blue Salt Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

West Newton, Massachusetts

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 22.4

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16174663174

Visit website

Blue Salt Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 22.4

West Newton, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16174663174

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 5.6

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 78.3

Bristol, Rhode Island

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+33172676914

Lexington Battle Green

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 16.8

Lexington, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17812748300

Visit website

Lexington Visitors Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 16.8

Lexington, Massachusetts

Hours: 9:30 am–3:30 pm

+17818621450

Visit website

Minute Man National Historical Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 16.8

Lincoln, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Visit website

Wilson Mountain Reservation

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 28

Dedham, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16176981802

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Lowell National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 16.2
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $15 near mile 37.8
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

Boston National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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.

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 27
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

. . . 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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 37.8
View on nps.gov
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

National Historical Park

"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 72.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.53 one way

$25.06 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.67 $27.33
premium $4.82 $14.87 $29.74
diesel $5.61 $17.29 $34.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

32 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Bristol, Rhode Island

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Lowell, Massachusetts

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Carlisle, Massachusetts

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Nissan Charging Station

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Lowell, Massachusetts

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 21 Other: 9 Tesla: 1 FLO: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.5 0 $8.22 $3.76
Efficient EV 19.6 0 $6.85 $3.13
EV Truck/SUV 31.3 0 $10.96 $5.01

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lowell, MA

Late night in Lowell on Friday

Local time

4:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ocean Grove, MA

Late night in Ocean Grove on Friday

Local time

4:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

9 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 42m 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 Ocean Grove, MA covers 78.3 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Amvets Highway, Yankee Division Highway, US 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39.2 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 $12.53 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.3 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerset along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Adams National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. EV charging comes from the NREL Alternative Fuels dataset. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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