Brewster, MA to City of Lowell, MA is 109.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m via Pilgrims Highway and US 3, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, connecting the Northeast region of Cape Cod to the Northeast region near the New Hampshire border. With a majority of the drive on surface roads, expect a more local driving experience rather than a purely highway trek. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a straightforward connection between these two points without extensive planning.
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
54.7 miles from Brewster, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pilgrims Highway
42.3 mi
53m
Mid Cape Highway
22.3 mi
30m
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
Satucket Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pilgrims Highway
— 42.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brewster, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on MA 124
297 ft·13 sec·Harwich Road
2
Turn left onto MA 6A
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Turn slight left onto Stony Brook Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Stony Brook Road
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Satucket Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Satucket Road
5
Turn slight left onto Airline Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Airline Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto MA 134
0.5 mi·54 sec·East West Dennis Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
8
Merge onto US 6
22 mi·30 min·Mid Cape Highway
9
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·45 sec·Sagamore Bridge
10
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi·20 sec·Pilgrim Highway
11
Continue on MA 3
42 mi·53 min·Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on MA 3
8.4 mi·11 min·MA 3
Exit 43BToward I 93 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
3.2 mi·5 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
3.1 mi·4 min·I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord NHUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22Toward MA 16 West: Mystic Valley Parkway, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on MA 16
1.1 mi·2 min·Mystic Valley Parkway
17
Turn right onto MA 38
0.1 mi·22 sec·Winthrop Street
Use the right lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto Winthrop Street
117 ft·2 sec·Winthrop Street
19
Continue on Winthrop Street
1.3 mi·1 min·Winthrop Street
20
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi·46 sec·Main Street
21
Enter roundabout onto Bacon Street
94 ft·1 sec·Bacon Street
22
Continue on Bacon Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Bacon Street
23
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Church Street
24
Turn right onto US 3
1.1 mi·1 min·Cambridge Street
25
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·2 min·Cambridge Road
26
Continue on US 3
0.6 mi·47 sec·Cambridge Street
27
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 3
Toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell
28
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
1.1 mi·1 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit onto US 3
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 3
Exit 50B-AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 3
Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 3
9.8 mi·11 min·US 3
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
32
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 81B-CToward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, MarlboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 81CToward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
36
Turn right onto MA 110
1.8 mi·2 min·Chelmsford Street
37
Turn sharp left onto MA 3A
458 ft·10 sec·Westford Street
38
Turn right onto Grand Street
448 ft·23 sec·Grand Street
39
At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft·18 sec·Middlesex Street
40
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft·5 sec·Arch Street
41
Turn left
0.1 mi·38 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 109.5-mile drive, leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach City of Lowell within the estimated 2h 32m, with the $18 fuel cost in mind. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility; consider a mid-morning departure to avoid the earliest rush. With only one stop recommended, plan it strategically, perhaps halfway through your longest stretch of 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the highways, as services might be more spaced out on the surface roads.
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 54.7 miles from Brewster, MA, or about 1h 15m 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 24 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 15m 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 4m
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 Brewster, 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 Brewster, MA
This is one driving day of about 109.5 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Brewster, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 83.2 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
8
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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...
8
95.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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,...
8
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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...
8
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.52 one way
$35.05 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$19.11
$38.22
premium
$4.82
$20.79
$41.58
diesel
$5.61
$24.18
$48.35
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: 38.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.9
0
$11.50
$5.26
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.58
$4.38
EV Truck/SUV
43.8
0
$15.33
$7.01
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Brewster, MA
Late night
in Brewster on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Late night
in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Cloudy
E 8 mph1% chanceLive 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
11 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 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 24% of the 109.5 miles on highways, meaning most of this 2h 32m drive will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, likely noticing more traffic signals and local intersections as you approach City of Lowell. Be prepared for a change in pace as the highway portions conclude.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on Pilgrims Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 83.2 miles in near I 93.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 109.5 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 83.2 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brewster, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Arlington, Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington and Nashua New Hampshire.
Boston
6 mi in|~11m
Arlington
86.4 mi in|~1h 58m
Lowell
94.5 mi in|~2h 11m|via US 3
Middlesex Turnpike
95.8 mi in|~2h 13m|via US 3
Burlington
95.8 mi in|~2h 13m|via US 3
Nashua New Hampshire
95.8 mi in|~2h 13m|via US 3
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 109.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 83.2 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Lowell, MA before heading back.
