Trip from Lowell, MA to Eastham, MA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

118.8 mi

191 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 33m ★

6 AM

2h 44m

8 AM

3h 5m

10 AM

2h 51m

12 PM

2h 49m

3 PM

2h 52m

5 PM

3h 4m

8 PM

2h 37m

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

town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States

Eastham, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lowell, MA to Eastham, MA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Mid Cape Highway, MA 3, Pilgrims Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.8 miles on Mid Cape Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.01 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

59.4 miles from Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Lowell, MA to Eastham, MA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

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.

Mid Cape Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.8 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 29 significant decision points across 118.8 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 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 29 key points

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

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

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

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

23.4 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Interstate 93 HOV lane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

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 Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Lowell, MA and Eastham, 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
Mid Cape Highway	35.8 mi	50m
MA 3	30.9 mi	39m
Pilgrims Highway	12 mi	15m
US 3	10.7 mi	13m
Southeast Expressway	8 mi	10m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway	3 mi	4m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway	2.6 mi	5m
Interstate 93 HOV lane	2.5 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Mid Cape Highway — 35.8 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Eastham, 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

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

Continue on Lowell Connector

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

Exit 1A Toward US 3 South: Boston

Merge onto US 3

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 3

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 straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 3

Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128

0.9 mi · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway

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.

Merge onto US 3

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Cambridge Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

Continue on US 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Church Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Church Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Bacon Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bacon Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 38

37 ft · 0 sec · Main Street

Continue on MA 38

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Main Street

Continue on MA 38

1.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 38

100 ft · 4 sec · Winthrop Street

Continue on MA 38

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Winthrop Street

Turn left onto MA 16; MA 38

0.5 mi · 1 min · Mystic Valley Parkway

Continue on MA 16

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Mystic Valley Parkway

Toward MA 16 East: Everett, Revere

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 93: Boston, Concord New Hampshire

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 93 South: Boston Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 93

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 93

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93

0.8 mi · 1 min · Interstate 93 HOV lane

Merge onto I 93; US 1

3.0 mi · 4 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

8.0 mi · 10 min · Southeast Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3

12 mi · 15 min · Pilgrims Highway

Continue on MA 3

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Pilgrim Highway

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge

Continue on US 6

36 mi · 50 min · Mid Cape Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 6

487 ft · 16 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Toward Eastham, Provincetown

Continue on US 6

2.5 mi · 4 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Toward Eastham, Provincetown

Turn left onto Samoset Road

72 ft · 9 sec · Samoset Road

Turn left

66 ft · 4 sec

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.8 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 26 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.4 miles or 1h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eastham, 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 118.8 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lowell, MA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Mid Cape Highway for about 35.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.4 mi from Lowell, MA · 1h 20m into the drive

city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, MA

59 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

Boston, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norwell, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Lowell, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Eastham, MA

The final approach into Eastham, 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 Eastham, 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

$19.01 one way

$38.03 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$20.73	$41.47
premium	$4.82	$22.56	$45.12
diesel	$5.61	$26.23	$52.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.6	$12.47	$5.70
Efficient EV	29.7	$10.40	$4.75
EV Truck/SUV	47.5	$16.63	$7.60

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 15, 2026

Origin

Lowell, MA

Evening in Lowell on Wednesday

Local time

8:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eastham, MA

Evening in Eastham on Wednesday

Local time

8:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

17 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

2h 43m 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 Eastham, MA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Mid Cape Highway, MA 3, Pilgrims Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.4 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 $19.01 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.