This 87.9-mile drive from Ludlow, MA to Lowell, MA will take approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate local streets like Walnut Street, Oak Street, and Howard Street, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this distance. This route is characterized by frequent turns, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, it’s easily manageable in a single day without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Ludlow, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. You’ll be navigating through various local roads, including Walnut Street, Oak Street, and Howard Street. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be constantly adjusting your direction, making it a more engaging experience behind the wheel. There isn't a "longest stretch" to speak of, as the journey is composed of a series of connected local roads rather than continuous, uninterrupted segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 50.8 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 0.3 miles in near Howard Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Howard Street
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|MA 21 / Center Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
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 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
7
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hamp...
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ludlow, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
Taunton
52.7 mi in|~1h 4m
Portsmouth New Hampshire
52.9 mi in|~1h 4m
Portsmouth
53.1 mi in|~1h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
50.8 mi
58m
I 495
30.1 mi
34m
Chelmsford Street
2.6 mi
4m
Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Sewall Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Oak Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Howard Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Hale Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 50.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
130 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
181 ft·14 sec
3
Turn right
73 ft·11 sec
4
Turn left onto Walnut Street
285 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
5
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·Oak Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Howard Street
7
Turn right onto Sewall Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Sewall Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21
0.3 mi·49 sec·Center Street
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
51 mi·58 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 106Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, TauntonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NHUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 495
30 mi·34 min·I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
17
Turn right onto MA 110
2.6 mi·4 min·Chelmsford Street
18
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft·14 sec·Cambridge Street
19
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft·13 sec·Hale Street
20
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, 87.9-mile drive taking just under 1.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in both Ludlow and Lowell. With no major highways, the $14 fuel cost is your primary expense, and stops are not factored in, suggesting you can complete this trip without needing to refuel. Pay close attention to the frequent turns indicated by your navigation system, as this is a key characteristic of the route.
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 43.4 miles from Ludlow, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 53m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ludlow, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ludlow, MA
This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ludlow, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 50.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.4 mi from Ludlow, MA
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Ludlow, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lowell, MA
The final approach into Lowell, 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...
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...
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 77.9
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 83.8
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
near mile 86.8
The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 50.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.89 one way
$27.78 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.15
$30.30
premium
$4.82
$16.48
$32.96
diesel
$5.61
$19.16
$38.33
Estimated Tolls: $3.05
Massachusetts Turnpike
(50.8 mi)$3.05
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.17
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Ludlow, MA
Afternoon
in Ludlow on Saturday
Local time
12:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lowell, MA
Afternoon
in Lowell on Saturday
Local time
12:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
43 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
22 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 47m 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 Ludlow, MA to Lowell, MA covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Massachusetts Turnpike, I 495, Chelmsford Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.4 miles from Ludlow, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.89 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 86.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ludlow, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lowell National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail and Minute Man National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
