The drive from North Adams, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 126.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MA 2, Mohawk Trail, I 495 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.5 miles on MA 2.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.20 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
63.1 miles from North Adams, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 126.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 126.2 miles, with most of the trip on MA 2 and Mohawk Trail. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.5 miles on MA 2.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MA 2 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,792 ft44 ft
Total Climb
1,956 ft
Total Descent
2,634 ft
Highest Point
1,792 ft
~9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,748 ft
Notable High Points
1,792 ft at ~9 miles+1,070 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Mohawk Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.2 miles in near MA 2.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 126.2 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 38.2 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89.2 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
38.2 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|MA 2
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2 toward MA 2 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 27
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
6
89.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
101.5 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
102 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
7
123.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 2
53.5 mi
1h 17m
Mohawk Trail
26.5 mi
48m
I 495
21.5 mi
24m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
Route 2
5.2 mi
8m
Tea Street
1.7 mi
2m
Union Street
1.2 mi
3m
Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Adams, MA and Lawrence, MA.
1
Start on Eagle Street
130 ft·13 sec·Eagle Street
2
Turn sharp left onto MA 2; MA 8
1.0 mi·2 min·Union Street
3
Continue on MA 2
15 mi·30 min·Mohawk Trail
4
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi·1 min·Tea Street
5
Continue on MA 2
0.5 mi·48 sec·Mohawk Trail
6
Continue on MA 2
1.0 mi·1 min·Tea Street
7
Continue on MA 2
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
8
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi·1 min·Mohawk Trail
9
Continue on MA 2
5.2 mi·8 min·Route 2
10
Continue on MA 2
11 mi·16 min·Mohawk Trail
11
Enter roundabout onto MA 2
0.2 mi·12 sec·MA 2
12
Continue on MA 2
2.4 mi·2 min·MA 2
13
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2
51 mi·1 hr 14 min·MA 2
Exit 27Toward MA 2 East: Boston
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
17
Merge onto I 495
22 mi·24 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 99BToward MA 28 North: LawrenceUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto MA 28
0.2 mi·22 sec·Union Street
20
Keep slight right at fork onto South Union Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Union Street
21
Turn left onto MA 114
0.3 mi·36 sec·Winthrop Avenue
22
Continue on MA 114
0.5 mi·55 sec·Parker Street
23
Continue on Amesbury Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Amesbury Street
24
Turn right onto Canal Street
282 ft·6 sec·Canal Street
25
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
492 ft·18 sec·Lawrence Street
26
Turn left onto Essex Street
498 ft·11 sec·Essex Street
27
Arrive at destination
Essex Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.1 miles from North Adams, MA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 28 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.1 miles or 1h 45m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Adams, 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 North Adams, MA
This is one driving day of about 126.2 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from North Adams, 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 MA 2 for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.1 mi from North Adams, MA
· 1h 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 63.1 miles from North Adams, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lawrence, MA.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 113.2
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 108.8
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 121.9
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.
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 117.5
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 47.9
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 117.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.20 one way
$40.39 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$22.03
$44.05
premium
$4.82
$23.96
$47.93
diesel
$5.61
$27.86
$55.73
Estimated Tolls: $0.86
Concord Turnpike
(12.3 mi)$0.86
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.25
$6.06
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.04
$5.05
EV Truck/SUV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
North Adams, MA
Late night
in North Adams on Saturday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lawrence, MA
Late night
in Lawrence on Saturday
Local time
12:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Greenfield, MA
63 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m 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 North Adams, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 126.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MA 2, Mohawk Trail, I 495. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.1 miles from North Adams, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 126.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.2 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89.2 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Adams, MA to Lawrence, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 44 ft to 1,792 ft elevation with about 1,956 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Salem Maritime National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
