Origin
Adams, MA
Night in Adams on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Adams, MA to Lowell, MA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
119.2 mi
192 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adams, MA
Вальдемар
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Adams, MA to Lowell, MA is 119.2 miles and takes about 3h 6m via MA 2 and Concord Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a relatively short, one-day trip primarily within Massachusetts, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that leans heavily on highway travel, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. It’s a good option for a quick transit or a day trip if you're starting nearby.
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
59.6 miles from Adams, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA 2 | 53.5 mi | 1h 17m |
| Mohawk Trail | 25.6 mi | 46m |
| Concord Turnpike | 12.3 mi | 16m |
| I 495 | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Route 2 | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Chelmsford Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| West Shaft Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Tea Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
MA 2
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adams, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
327 ft
·
29 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Depot Street
337 ft
·
19 sec
·
Depot Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Hoosac Street
101 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hoosac Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto MA 8
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
Columbia Street
5
Enter roundabout onto MA 8
75 ft
·
1 sec
·
Columbia Street
6
Continue on MA 8
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Columbia Street
7
Continue on MA 8
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Howland Avenue
8
Continue on MA 8
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Curran Memorial Highway
9
Turn right onto MA 8A
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hodges Cross Road
10
Continue on MA 8A
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
11
Turn right onto West Shaft Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Shaft Road
12
At end of road, turn right onto MA 2
14 mi
·
28 min
·
Mohawk Trail
13
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Tea Street
14
Continue on MA 2
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Mohawk Trail
15
Continue on MA 2
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Tea Street
16
Continue on MA 2
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on MA 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mohawk Trail
18
Continue on MA 2
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Route 2
19
Continue on MA 2
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Mohawk Trail
20
Enter roundabout onto MA 2
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
MA 2
21
Continue on MA 2
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
MA 2
22
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2
51 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
MA 2
Exit 27
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
23
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
Use the right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
26
Merge onto I 495
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 88
Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
28
Turn right onto MA 110
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Chelmsford Street
29
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cambridge Street
30
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hale Street
31
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 6m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave earlier in the day to make the most of daylight, especially if you're not familiar with the route. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage fuel and rest breaks, keeping the $19 fuel cost in mind. A practical tip for this drive: keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on MA 2 is over 50 miles, so plan your fill-up before you hit that longer segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.6 miles from Adams, MA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 26 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 37m
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 Adams, 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 Adams, MA
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Adams, 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 MA 2 for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Adams, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 42.1 and 116.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
42.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
MA 2
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 2 toward MA 2 East: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 27
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
6
93.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
105.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
116.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.08 one way
$38.15 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.80 | $41.61 |
| premium | $4.82 | $22.63 | $45.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.86
Concord Turnpike
(12.3 mi)
$0.86
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Lowell, MA
Night in Lowell on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Greenfield, MA
60 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
5 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
3h 6m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 111
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 49.3
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 115.1
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 119.2
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
. . . 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
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 115.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-focused, with 68% of the drive on faster roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on MA 2, also known as the Mohawk Trail, and the Concord Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch without needing to navigate significant turns or changes is 53.5 miles on MA 2. While it's primarily a highway experience, the transition between these main roads should feel manageable, offering a consistent driving pace for most of the journey.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on MA 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 2 and Mohawk Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.1 miles in near MA 2.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 119.2 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 42.1 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.1 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Adams, MA to Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Lawrence
105.9 mi in
|
~2h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on MA 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.86 in tolls one way, starting with Concord Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lowell, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.1 miles (MA 2): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.1 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lowell, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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