Origin
Methuen, MA
Late night in Methuen on Wednesday
Local time
3:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Methuen, MA to City of Lowell, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
18m
Distance
10.6 mi
17 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Methuen, MA
Italo Melo
City of Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Methuen and Lowell, Massachusetts, you are in for a quick 16.1-mile journey. This trip is easily completed in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via Lowell Street, Lowell Boulevard, and Merrimack Avenue rather than relying on major interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly route for local commuters or weekend explorers. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, you can expect a familiar New England atmosphere throughout the entire drive.
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
5.3 miles from Methuen, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through local infrastructure, which requires your full attention on road signs and turns. Because the route relies entirely on surface roads, you won't encounter any long, monotonous stretches of highway driving. Instead, the journey maintains a steady, localized pace from start to finish. This profile is ideal if you prefer navigating through residential and commercial corridors over the fast-paced environment of a multi-lane expressway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lowell Street is the longest continuous segment at about 3.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near MA 110 / Lowell Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 2 miles (MA 110 / Lowell Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles (Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (Merrimack Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
MA 110 / Lowell Street
Turn left onto MA 110 / Lowell Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Bridge Street
Turn left onto Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
9.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Merrimack Street
Turn right onto Merrimack Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Dutton Street
Turn left onto Dutton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Arch Street
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lowell Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Merrimack Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Lowell Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Dutton Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Bridge Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Merrimack Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Middlesex Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lowell Street
— 3.6 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Methuen, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Osgood Street
76 ft
·
4 sec
·
Osgood Street
2
Turn left onto MA 113
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lowell Street
3
Continue on MA 110; MA 113
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Lowell Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto MA 110
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lowell Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on MA 110
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lowell Boulevard
6
Continue on MA 110
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Merrimack Avenue
7
Continue on MA 110
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway
8
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Bridge Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Merrimack Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Merrimack Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Dutton Street
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Dutton Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on Thorndike Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Thorndike Street
12
Turn right onto Middlesex Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Middlesex Street
13
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft
·
5 sec
·
Arch Street
14
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 21-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for designated rest stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep in mind that because you are traveling on local streets, traffic density can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. Ensure your vehicle is ready to go with a modest $3 fuel budget in mind before you head out. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Lowell Street, Lowell Boulevard, and Merrimack Avenue, as these local turns define the flow of your journey.
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 5.3 miles from Methuen, MA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.6 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 10.6 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Methuen, 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 Methuen, MA
This is one driving day of about 10.6 miles and 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Methuen, 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 Lowell Street for about 3.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.3 mi from Methuen, MA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.3 miles from Methuen, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in City of Lowell, MA
The final approach into City of Lowell, 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 City of Lowell, 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
$1.70 one way
$3.39 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $1.85 | $3.70 |
| premium | $4.82 | $2.01 | $4.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
| Efficient EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.93 | $0.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Late night in City of Lowell on Wednesday
Local time
3:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
W 3 mph
0% chance
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
5 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
18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Methuen, MA to City of Lowell, MA covers 10.6 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lowell Street, Merrimack Avenue, Lowell Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.3 miles from Methuen, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.70 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 10.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 2 miles (MA 110 / Lowell Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles (Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (Merrimack Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Methuen, MA to City of Lowell, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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