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Trip from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

54m

Distance

41.8 mi

67 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 50m ★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Northborough, MA, MA

Northborough, MA

Phil Evenden

Downtown Lawrence, MA, MA

Lawrence, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Northborough to Lawrence, you are looking at a straightforward 41.8-mile trip that typically takes about 54 minutes. This drive is designed as a quick day trip, making it an easy task to complete in a single outing without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-495, I-290, and Hudson Street, which keeps the journey efficient for commuters or casual travelers. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, the trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of Massachusetts, you will remain in familiar territory throughout the duration of your transit.

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

20.9 miles from Northborough, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is heavily highway-focused, with about 86% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 34.2 miles along I-495. While the start of your trip involves local navigation on Hudson Street and I-290, the transition to the interstate is seamless. Expect a functional, point-to-point drive rather than a winding scenic tour. The personality of this road is defined by its utility, offering a consistent experience that allows you to cover the distance with minimal stop-and-go traffic.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

380 ft 44 ft

Total Climb

248 ft

Total Descent

505 ft

Highest Point

380 ft

~8.9 mi in

Elevation Range

336 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA is easy. At 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Main Street
Hudson Street
Solomon Pond Road
I 290 East
I 495 North
MA 28 North
Union Street
South Union Street

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Main Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Northborough, MA and Lawrence, MA.

1

Start on the route

46 ft · 8 sec · the route
2

Turn left onto Main Street

13 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
3

Turn right onto Hudson Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Hudson Street
4

Continue on Solomon Pond Road

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Solomon Pond Road
5

Take the ramp slight right toward I 290 East: Marlboro

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 290 East: Marlboro
6

Merge slight left

1.8 mi · 2 min
7

Take the exit slight left toward I 495 North: Lowell

0.7 mi · 2 min · I 495 North: Lowell
8

Merge slight left

34 mi · 39 min
9

Take the exit slight right toward MA 28 North: Lawrence

0.3 mi · 52 sec · MA 28 North: Lawrence
10

Turn straight onto Union Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Union Street
11

Keep slight right to continue on South Union Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Union Street
12

Turn left onto Winthrop Avenue

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Winthrop Avenue
13

Continue on Parker Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Parker Street
14

Continue on Amesbury Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Amesbury Street
15

Turn right onto Canal Street

282 ft · 6 sec · Canal Street
16

Turn left onto Lawrence Street

492 ft · 19 sec · Lawrence Street
17

Turn left onto Essex Street

499 ft · 12 sec · Essex Street
18

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a short 54-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 41.8-mile stretch without needing any scheduled stops, though it is always smart to ensure your tank is ready for the $7 fuel cost before you merge onto the highway. Since the vast majority of your time will be spent on I-495, keep a close eye on traffic reports for that specific corridor to avoid potential congestion. Given the efficient nature of the highway layout, you can comfortably plan your day around your arrival time in Lawrence without worrying about fatigue. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by keeping your schedule light and avoiding unnecessary detours.

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 20.9 miles from Northborough, MA, or about 27m into the drive.

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 41.8 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 20.9 miles or 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 46m

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 Northborough, MA.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Northborough, MA

This is one driving day of about 41.8 miles and 54m.

At 41.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.9 mi from Northborough, MA · 27m into the drive

town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boxborough, MA

21 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

North Andover, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boxborough, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Northborough, 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

$6.69 one way

$13.38 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $7.30 $14.59
premium $4.82 $7.94 $15.87
diesel $5.61 $9.23 $18.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.5 0 $4.39 $2.01
Efficient EV 10.5 0 $3.66 $1.67
EV Truck/SUV 16.7 0 $5.85 $2.68

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 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

Northborough, MA

Afternoon in Northborough on Wednesday

Local time

4:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lawrence, MA

Afternoon in Lawrence on Wednesday

Local time

4:59 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

17 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

54m 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 Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 41.8 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Hudson Street, Solomon Pond Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.9 miles from Northborough, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.69 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.
The drive from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA is easy. At 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Northborough, MA to Lawrence, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 44 ft to 380 ft elevation with about 248 ft of total climbing.

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