Trip from Lowell, MA to Three Rivers, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

79.3 mi

128 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 33m ★

6 AM

1h 41m

8 AM

1h 56m

10 AM

1h 46m

12 PM

1h 45m

3 PM

1h 47m

5 PM

1h 55m

8 PM

1h 36m

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

Three Rivers, MA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Lowell, MA to Three Rivers, MA covers 79.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Massachusetts Turnpike, I 495, I 290 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.69 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

39.6 miles from Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 79.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 79.3 miles, with most of the trip on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.4 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Massachusetts Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 27.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 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 79.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 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; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

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

58.7 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Massachusetts Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware

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

Exit 63 Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware

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 Three Rivers, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Ware along the way.

Ware

74.9 mi in | ~1h 31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike	27.4 mi	31m
I 495	23.4 mi	27m
I 290	19.6 mi	24m
North Main Street	1.4 mi	2m
Thorndike Street	0.8 mi	1m
Lowell Connector	0.8 mi	1m
Bourne Street	0.7 mi	2m
Sykes Street	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 27.4 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Three Rivers, 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

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

23 mi · 27 min · I 495

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 65B Toward I 290 West: Worcester

Merge onto I 290

20 mi · 24 min · I 290

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec

Exit 12B Toward MA 12 South: Webster

Turn left onto Oxford Street

466 ft · 10 sec · Oxford Street

At end of road, turn right onto MA 12

446 ft · 9 sec · Southbridge Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 West

Merge onto I 90

11 mi · 12 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

16 mi · 18 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min

Exit 63 Toward MA 32: Palmer, Ware

Turn right onto MA 32

0.8 mi · 1 min · Thorndike Street

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn right onto US 20

0.8 mi · 59 sec · North Main Street

Continue on MA 181

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Continue on MA 181

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sykes Street

Turn slight left onto Bourne Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Bourne Street

Arrive at destination

Bourne 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 39.6 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.4 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 39.6 miles or 48m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Rivers, 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 79.3 miles and 1h 40m.

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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 27.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.6 mi from Lowell, MA · 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worcester, MA

40 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.

Popular next leg

Worcester, MA to Three Rivers, MA

39 mi · 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Boxborough, MA

Fuel and coffee

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

Worcester, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Three Rivers, MA

The final approach into Three Rivers, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 8.2

View on nps.gov

New England National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 79.3

View on nps.gov

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.

22 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 2.7

View on nps.gov

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour $15 near mile 2.7

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.69 one way

$25.38 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$13.84	$27.68
premium	$4.82	$15.06	$30.12
diesel	$5.61	$17.51	$35.02

Estimated Tolls: $1.64

Massachusetts Turnpike (27.4 mi) $1.64

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

$13

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	23.8	$8.33	$3.81
Efficient EV	19.8	$6.94	$3.17
EV Truck/SUV	31.7	$11.10	$5.08

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lowell, MA

Afternoon in Lowell on Thursday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Three Rivers, MA

Afternoon in Three Rivers on Thursday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Worcester, MA

40 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

12 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 40m 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 Three Rivers, MA covers 79.3 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, I 495, I 290. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39.6 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 $12.69 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.

On the drive from Lowell, MA to Three Rivers, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Ware along the way.

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

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