Origin
Salem, MA
Late night in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, MA to Lawrence, MA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
39m
Distance
19.6 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, MA
José Alcalá
Lawrence, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 19.6-mile drive from Salem, MA to Lawrence, MA is easily manageable in about 39 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. You'll primarily navigate local streets like Turnpike Street, South Main Street, and Andover Street. With a projected fuel cost of around $3, this is an economical option for exploring the Northeast region of Massachusetts. The route offers a turn-heavy local driving experience, making it feel more like navigating through towns than a long highway journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.8 miles from Salem, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 28% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 5.6 miles along Turnpike Street. As you travel, the road will shift between city streets and some highway segments, requiring your attention to navigation and traffic. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a more involved local drive that keeps you engaged with the surroundings.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Turnpike Street is the longest continuous segment at about 5.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Holyoke Square.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 19.6 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (Holyoke Square): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 114 / Norman Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Holyoke Square
Turn right onto Holyoke Square
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MA 114 / Norman Street
Turn left onto MA 114 / Norman Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
MA 114 / Andover Street
Turn right onto MA 114 / Andover Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
19.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
Essex Street
Turn left onto Essex Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Turnpike Street | 5.6 mi | 10m |
| South Main Street | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Andover Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Winthrop Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Gardner Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Parker Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Margin Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Turnpike Street
— 5.6 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, MA and Lawrence, MA.
1
Start on Gedney Street
204 ft
·
10 sec
·
Gedney Street
2
Turn right onto Holyoke Square
263 ft
·
16 sec
·
Holyoke Square
3
Turn left onto MA 114
219 ft
·
3 sec
·
Norman Street
4
Enter roundabout
14 ft
·
0 sec
5
Continue
88 ft
·
1 sec
6
Turn straight onto MA 114
394 ft
·
11 sec
·
Summer Street
7
Continue on MA 114
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on MA 114
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Margin Street
9
Turn left onto MA 114
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gardner Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn left onto MA 114
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Pulaski Street
11
Turn right onto MA 114
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Andover Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on MA 114
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on MA 114
5.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Turnpike Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on MA 114
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Winthrop Avenue
15
Continue on MA 114
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Parker Street
16
Continue on Amesbury Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Amesbury Street
17
Turn right onto Canal Street
282 ft
·
6 sec
·
Canal Street
18
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
Lawrence Street
19
Turn left onto Essex Street
498 ft
·
11 sec
·
Essex Street
20
Arrive at destination
Essex Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 39-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving early might help you avoid some local traffic, especially on roads like Turnpike Street. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is under 20 miles, you won't need to factor in extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the main roads like South Main Street and Andover Street, as the turns are frequent on this local route. The $3 fuel cost suggests you likely won't need to worry about refueling during this short hop.
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 9.8 miles from Salem, MA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.6 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 19.6 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.8 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
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 Salem, 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 Salem, MA
This is one driving day of about 19.6 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salem, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Turnpike Street for about 5.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.8 mi from Salem, MA · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 19.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.8 miles from Salem, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.14 one way
$6.27 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $3.42 | $6.84 |
| premium | $4.82 | $3.72 | $7.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.33 | $8.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.39
Turnpike Street
(5.6 mi)
$0.39
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| Efficient EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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 Wednesday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
10 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
22 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
39m 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 Salem, MA to Lawrence, MA covers 19.6 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Turnpike Street, South Main Street, Andover Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.8 miles from Salem, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.14 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 19.6 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (Holyoke Square): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 114 / Norman Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Salem, MA to Lawrence, MA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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