Origin
North Reading, MA
Night in North Reading on Wednesday
Local time
10:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Reading, MA to Lawrence, MA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
19m
Distance
11.5 mi
18 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Reading, MA
Phil Evenden
Lawrence, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 11.5-mile trip from North Reading, MA to Lawrence, MA is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 19 minutes to complete. With no highway driving, you'll navigate primarily via local roads like Main Street and Park Street. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is a low $2, making it an economical option. This route is characterized by frequent turns, offering a more engaged driving experience than a highway cruise. Given its brevity and the $2 fuel estimate, it's a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
5.7 miles from North Reading, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 11.5-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating at local speeds, making frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 7.1 miles along Main Street. This route will feel like a familiar neighborhood drive, winding through local streets rather than open highways. The character of the road will likely remain consistent, focusing on local navigation rather than long-distance travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is the longest continuous segment at about 7.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MA 62 / Park Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MA 62 / Park Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (MA 28; MA 62 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (South Union Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MA 62 / Park Street
Turn right onto MA 62 / Park Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
MA 28; MA 62 / Main Street
Turn right onto MA 28; MA 62 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
9.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
South Union Street
Keep slight right at fork onto South Union Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
11.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Canal Street
Turn right onto Canal Street
Navigation decision point
5
11.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Essex Street
Turn left onto Essex Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | 7.1 mi | 11m |
| Park Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Union Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Winter Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Parker Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Union Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Amesbury Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Winthrop Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— 7.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Reading, MA and Lawrence, MA.
1
Start on Haverhill Street
427 ft
·
13 sec
·
Haverhill Street
2
Turn right onto MA 62
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Street
3
Continue on MA 62
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Winter Street
4
Turn right onto MA 28; MA 62
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on MA 28
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Union Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto South Union Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Union Street
7
Turn left onto MA 114
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Winthrop Avenue
8
Continue on MA 114
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Parker Street
9
Continue on Amesbury Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Amesbury Street
10
Turn right onto Canal Street
282 ft
·
6 sec
·
Canal Street
11
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
Lawrence Street
12
Turn left onto Essex Street
498 ft
·
11 sec
·
Essex Street
13
Arrive at destination
Essex Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 19-minute duration, flexibility is your best friend on this route. You can depart at any time without needing to worry about breaking up a long journey. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is only $2, extensive planning isn't required. Keep an eye out for the many turns, especially on Main Street, which accounts for 7.1 miles of the drive. This local road focus means you'll be moving through populated areas, so be mindful of local traffic patterns.
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 5.7 miles from North Reading, MA, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.1 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 11.5 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.7 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving North Reading, MA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Reading, MA
This is one driving day of about 11.5 miles and 19m.
At 11.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Main Street for about 7.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.7 mi from North Reading, MA · 9m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from North Reading, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lawrence, MA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Lawrence, MA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.84 one way
$3.68 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.01 | $4.01 |
| premium | $4.82 | $2.18 | $4.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.54 | $5.08 |
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: 4 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 | 3.4 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.74 |
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
Lawrence, MA
Night in Lawrence on Wednesday
Local time
10:28 PM
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
14 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
19m 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 Reading, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 11.5 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Park Street, South Union Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.7 miles from North Reading, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.84 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 is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MA 62 / Park Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (MA 28; MA 62 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (South Union Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from North Reading, MA to Lawrence, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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