This 65.5-mile drive from Ware to Lowell, Massachusetts, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, it keeps you within the Northeast region, traversing familiar New England terrain. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, this route is budget-friendly for a short getaway. The journey is primarily on major highways, making for efficient travel. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Massachusetts towns without extensive planning or overnight stays.
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
32.7 miles from Ware, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 54% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on roads like Concord Turnpike, I-190, and I-495, which offer consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 11.1 miles on Concord Turnpike, providing a period of smooth, uninterrupted travel. While not a purely scenic route, its character is defined by its efficiency and connectivity, allowing for steady progress toward your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Concord Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 11.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.9 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 65.5 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 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
39.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward MA 2 East: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 19B
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
5
40.1 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 2 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
7
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
52.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
6
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ware, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Lawrence
52.2 mi in|~1h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Concord Turnpike
11.1 mi
15m
I 495
10.2 mi
11m
I 190
9.1 mi
10m
Main Street
7.5 mi
13m
Old Turnpike Road
4.9 mi
8m
Lower Road
3.5 mi
6m
Chelmsford Street
2.6 mi
4m
Manning Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 11.1 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ware, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on MA 9; MA 32
28 ft·6 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Church Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Church Street
3
Continue on Upper Church Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Upper Church Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto MA 32
0.5 mi·55 sec·Gilbertville Road
5
Continue on MA 32
0.2 mi·17 sec·Ware Road
6
Continue on MA 32
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
7
Turn slight right onto MA 32
0.2 mi·22 sec·Church Street
8
Continue on MA 32
3.5 mi·6 min·Lower Road
9
Turn right onto Red Bridge Road
203 ft·4 sec·Red Bridge Road
10
Continue on Hardwick Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Hardwick Road
11
Continue on Ravine Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Ravine Road
12
Continue on Old Turnpike Road
4.9 mi·8 min·Old Turnpike Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto MA 122
0.6 mi·1 min·Worcester Road
14
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
15
Continue on MA 122
0.8 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
16
Turn left onto MA 122A
6.2 mi·10 min·Main Street
17
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Mount Pleasant Avenue
18
Continue on Quinapoxet Street
1.8 mi·4 min·Quinapoxet Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto MA 31
0.2 mi·28 sec·Wachusett Street
20
Turn right onto Manning Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Manning Street
21
Continue on Laurel Street
443 ft·10 sec·Laurel Street
22
Turn left onto Raymond Huntington Highway
1.2 mi·1 min·Raymond Huntington Highway
23
Continue on Legg Road
0.4 mi·46 sec·Legg Road
24
Turn right onto MA 140
0.3 mi·31 sec·Redemption Rock Trail
25
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
26
Merge onto I 190
9.1 mi·10 min·I 190
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 19BToward MA 2 East: Boston
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
29
Merge onto Leominster Connector
0.1 mi·15 sec·Leominster Connector
30
Merge onto MA 2
11 mi·15 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
33
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·11 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
35
Turn right onto MA 110
2.6 mi·4 min·Chelmsford Street
36
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft·14 sec·Cambridge Street
37
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft·13 sec·Hale Street
38
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 42 minutes, this trip from Ware to Lowell offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, perhaps aiming to avoid peak traffic times on the Concord Turnpike, which has your longest stretch. With only 65.5 miles and a fuel cost of around $10, you won't need frequent stops. Plan for one brief break if desired, but the drive is manageable in a single go. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, as highway travel can be affected.
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 32.7 miles from Ware, MA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 65.5 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
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 Ware, 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 Ware, MA
This is one driving day of about 65.5 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ware, 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 Concord Turnpike for about 11.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Ware, 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.
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...
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 56.5
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...
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.
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 63.2
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 65.5
. . . 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 63.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.48 one way
$20.97 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$11.43
$22.86
premium
$4.82
$12.44
$24.87
diesel
$5.61
$14.46
$28.92
Estimated Tolls: $1.12
Concord Turnpike
(11.1 mi)$0.78
Old Turnpike Road
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.7
0
$6.88
$3.14
Efficient EV
16.4
0
$5.73
$2.62
EV Truck/SUV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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 5 days ago
Origin
Ware, MA
Night
in Ware on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lowell, MA
Night
in Lowell on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
33 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
2 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
1h 42m 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 Ware, MA to Lowell, MA covers 65.5 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Concord Turnpike, I 495, I 190. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.7 miles from Ware, MA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.48 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 65.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ware, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
