Trip from Orleans, MA to Lowell, MA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

115.5 mi

186 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 28m ★

6 AM

2h 38m

8 AM

2h 59m

10 AM

2h 45m

12 PM

2h 43m

3 PM

2h 46m

5 PM

2h 58m

8 PM

2h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Orleans, MA

Mathias Reding

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

The drive from Orleans, MA to Lowell, MA covers 115.5 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, US 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.48 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

57.8 miles from Orleans, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 2h 38m drive with frequent turns across 115.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Pilgrims Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.9 miles in near I 93.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 115.5 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 89.9 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.4 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

89.9 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | I 93

Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord NH

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 93 North: Concord NH

93 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Take the exit toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlin...

102.4 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | US 3

Take the exit onto US 3 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 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...

113.1 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Take the exit toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro

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 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlbor...

113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 81C Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Orleans, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Arlington, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington and Nashua New Hampshire.

Arlington

93 mi in | ~2h 5m

Middlesex Turnpike

102.4 mi in | ~2h 20m | via US 3

Burlington

102.4 mi in | ~2h 20m | via US 3

Nashua New Hampshire

102.4 mi in | ~2h 20m | via US 3

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pilgrims Highway	42.3 mi	53m
Mid Cape Highway	33.8 mi	47m
US 3	10.9 mi	13m
MA 3	8.4 mi	11m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway	3.2 mi	5m
I 93	3.1 mi	4m
Cambridge Road	2 mi	2m
Cambridge Street	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Pilgrims Highway — 42.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orleans, MA and Lowell, MA.

Start on MA 6A

1.1 mi · 2 min · Route 6A

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston

Merge onto US 6

34 mi · 47 min · Mid Cape Highway

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Pilgrim Highway

Continue on MA 3

42 mi · 53 min · Pilgrims Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MA 3

8.4 mi · 11 min · MA 3

Exit 43B Toward I 93 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

3.2 mi · 5 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 93

3.1 mi · 4 min · I 93

Toward I 93 North: Concord NH Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 22 Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, Arlington Use the slight right lane.

Continue on MA 16

1.1 mi · 2 min · Mystic Valley Parkway

Turn right onto MA 38

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Winthrop Street

Use the right lane.

Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street

117 ft · 2 sec · Winthrop Street

Continue on Winthrop Street

1.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Street

Continue on MA 38

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Main Street

Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street

94 ft · 1 sec · Bacon Street

Continue on Bacon Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bacon Street

Turn left onto Church Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto US 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

Continue on US 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

Continue on US 3

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Cambridge Street

Take the exit onto US 3

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 3

Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell

Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128

1.1 mi · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 3

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 3

Exit 50B-A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 3

Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Keep slight right at fork onto US 3

9.8 mi · 11 min · US 3

Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.5 mi · 32 sec · US 3

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Exit 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 81C Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

Turn right onto MA 110

1.4 mi · 2 min · Chelmsford Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 14 sec · Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Hale Street

486 ft · 13 sec · Hale Street

Arrive at destination

Hale Street

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 57.8 miles from Orleans, MA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Orleans, 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 Orleans, MA

This is one driving day of about 115.5 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Orleans, 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 Pilgrims Highway for about 42.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.8 mi from Orleans, MA · 1h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

58 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

Brookhaven, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rocky Point, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from Orleans, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lowell, MA

The final approach into 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 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

$18.48 one way

$36.97 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$20.16	$40.32
premium	$4.82	$21.93	$43.86
diesel	$5.61	$25.50	$51.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.7	$12.13	$5.54
Efficient EV	28.9	$10.11	$4.62
EV Truck/SUV	46.2	$16.17	$7.39

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 years ago

Origin

Orleans, MA

Morning in Orleans on Wednesday

Local time

8:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, MA

Morning in Lowell on Wednesday

Local time

8:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Brookhaven, NY

58 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

26 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

2h 38m 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 Orleans, MA to Lowell, MA covers 115.5 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, US 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 57.8 miles from Orleans, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.48 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.