Origin
Norfolk, MA
Late night in Norfolk on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norfolk, MA to Lawrence, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
55.9 mi
90 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norfolk, MA
Renata Meneses
Lawrence, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Norfolk, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 55.9 miles and takes about 1h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Yankee Division Highway, I 495, US 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.7 miles on Yankee Division Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 55.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Norfolk, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 55.9 miles and takes about 1h 20m, 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 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Yankee Division Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.7 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 32.2 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 55.9 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 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles (Lowell Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
32.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
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 50A-B
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
9
32.4 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9
42.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
Lowell Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Connector toward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 80-81A
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, Lawrenc...
7
43.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81A
Toward I 495 North: Lawrence
7
53.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward MA 28 North: Lawrence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward MA 28 North: Lawrence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norfolk, MA and Lawrence, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Chelmsford.
Portsmouth New Hampshire
13.2 mi in
|
~22m
Middlesex Turnpike
32.2 mi in
|
~48m
Burlington
32.2 mi in
|
~48m
Nashua New Hampshire
32.2 mi in
|
~48m
Chelmsford
42.5 mi in
|
~1h 1m
|
via Lowell Connector
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Yankee Division Highway | 18.7 mi | 25m |
| I 495 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| US 3 | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| High Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| West Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Fisher Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Yankee Division Highway
— 18.7 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, MA and Lawrence, MA.
1
Start on MA 115
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
Union Street
2
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
11 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on West Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Street
6
Continue on Norfolk Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Norfolk Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto MA 1A
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
8
Turn left onto Fisher Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Fisher Street
9
Continue on North Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Street
10
At end of road, turn right onto MA 109
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
High Street
Use the right lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 North: Peabody, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
19 mi
·
25 min
·
Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 50A-B
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
Exit 50A
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
16
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 3
17
Keep slight right at fork onto Lowell Connector
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Lowell Connector
Exit 80-81A
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Chelmsford, Lawrence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 81A
Toward I 495 North: Lawrence
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 495
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 99B
Toward MA 28 North: Lawrence
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto MA 28
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Union Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto South Union Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Union Street
23
Turn left onto MA 114
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Winthrop Avenue
24
Continue on MA 114
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Parker Street
25
Continue on Amesbury Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Amesbury Street
26
Turn right onto Canal Street
282 ft
·
6 sec
·
Canal Street
27
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
Lawrence Street
28
Turn left onto Essex Street
498 ft
·
11 sec
·
Essex Street
29
Arrive at destination
Essex Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Norfolk, MA · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Norfolk, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lawrence, MA
The final approach into Lawrence, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.95 one way
$17.89 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $9.76 | $19.51 |
| premium | $4.82 | $10.61 | $21.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Lawrence, MA
Late night in Lawrence on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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 20m 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 Norfolk, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 55.9 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Yankee Division Highway, I 495, US 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.9 miles from Norfolk, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.95 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 55.9 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 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles (Lowell Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Norfolk, MA and Lawrence, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire and Chelmsford.
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. 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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