Driving from Amherst to Lowell is a straightforward 78.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects two distinct parts of Massachusetts without requiring an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 202, the Daniel Shays Highway, and the Concord Turnpike. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this a cost-effective excursion for commuters or weekend travelers. Because the transit time is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule rather than rushing to beat the clock.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from Amherst, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
18.2 mi
25m
Daniel Shays Highway
14.2 mi
23m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
MA 2
12.2 mi
17m
I 495
10.2 mi
11m
Amherst Road
4.2 mi
8m
Chelmsford Street
2.9 mi
5m
Pelham Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 18.2 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Depot Road
449 ft·20 sec·Depot Road
2
Turn right onto MA 116
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Pleasant Street
3
Turn right onto MA 9
0.3 mi·55 sec·College Street
4
Turn left onto Dickinson Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Dickinson Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
6
Continue on Pelham Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Pelham Road
7
Continue on Amherst Road
4.2 mi·8 min·Amherst Road
8
Turn left onto US 202
14 mi·23 min·Daniel Shays Highway
9
Take the ramp onto US 202
18 mi·25 min·US 202
10
Continue on MA 2
12 mi·17 min·MA 2
11
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
14
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·11 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
16
Turn right onto MA 110
2.9 mi·5 min·Chelmsford Street
17
Turn sharp left onto MA 3A
458 ft·10 sec·Westford Street
18
Turn right onto Grand Street
448 ft·23 sec·Grand Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft·18 sec·Middlesex Street
20
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft·5 sec·Arch Street
21
Turn left
0.1 mi·38 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops scheduled, you can enjoy the freedom to drive straight through or break it up as you please. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 58-minute duration. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $13, consider topping off your tank in Amherst before you head out, as gas prices can fluctuate significantly as you approach the Lowell area. Keep a close eye on your navigation when switching between US 202 and the Concord Turnpike to avoid unnecessary detours. This route offers great flexibility, so use the time saved on the road to maximize your schedule once you arrive in Lowell.
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 39.2 miles from Amherst, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, MA
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Amherst, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 202 for about 18.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.8 and 78.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
75 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
6
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|Arch Street
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.56 one way
$25.13 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$13.70
$27.40
premium
$4.82
$14.91
$29.81
diesel
$5.61
$17.33
$34.66
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.87
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.02
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Amherst, MA
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Late night
in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
1h 58m 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...
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...
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 70.4
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 75.8
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 78.5
. . . 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 75.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 67% of your travel time will be spent on faster-paced roads. The drive offers a steady rhythm, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 18.2 miles on US 202. You will transition between the quieter stretches of the Daniel Shays Highway and the more developed sections of the Concord Turnpike as you move toward Lowell. Behind the wheel, you will notice the landscape evolve from the academic, rural feel of Amherst into the more densely populated infrastructure near your destination. It is a functional, consistent drive that allows for steady progress throughout the nearly two-hour journey.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.2 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and Daniel Shays Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.8 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 51.8 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,163 ft96 ft
Total Climb
1,404 ft
Total Descent
1,544 ft
Highest Point
1,163 ft
~28 mi in
Elevation Range
1,067 ft
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 Amherst, MA to City of Lowell, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Amherst is a town in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Amherst is home to about 35,000 residents as well as the campuses of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. A usually pleasant mix of students, academics, and retirees makes it a quintessential New England college town.
Amherst is at the center of a vibrant academic consortium comprising UMass, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and two more colleges in neighboring towns: Smith College in Northampton and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley. Because of this the area is frequently referred to as the "Five College Area."
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.2 miles on US 202. 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.
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 City of Lowell, MA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.8 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail and Minute Man National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Lowell, MA before heading back.
