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Trip from Chatham, MA to Lynn, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

98.8 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Chatham, MA, MA

Chatham, MA

Mohan Nannapaneni

city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

Lynn, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Chatham, MA to Lynn, MA is 98.8 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Pilgrims Highway, Mid Cape Highway, and MA 3, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Massachusetts, connecting the Northeast region from Cape Cod to the North Shore. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Given its relatively short duration, this is a straightforward same-day trip, making it ideal for a quick transition between coastal areas.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.4 miles from Chatham, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pilgrims Highway 42.3 mi 53m
Mid Cape Highway 26.8 mi 36m
MA 3 8.4 mi 11m
Broadway 3.2 mi 5m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway 3.2 mi 5m
Queen Anne Road 3 mi 5m
Old Queen Anne Road 2.8 mi 4m
US 1 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Pilgrims Highway — 42.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, MA and Lynn, MA.

1

Start on this road

72 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Main Street
3

Enter roundabout onto MA 28

73 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
4

Continue on MA 28

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
5

Turn right onto Old Queen Anne Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Queen Anne Road
6

Continue on Old Queen Anne Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Old Queen Anne Road
7

Continue on Queen Anne Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Queen Anne Road
8

Enter roundabout onto Queen Anne Road

116 ft · 2 sec · Queen Anne Road
9

Continue on Queen Anne Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · Queen Anne Road
10

Turn right onto MA 124

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Pleasant Lake Avenue
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
12

Merge onto US 6

27 mi · 36 min · Mid Cape Highway
13

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Sagamore Bridge
14

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Pilgrim Highway
15

Continue on MA 3

42 mi · 53 min · Pilgrims Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on MA 3

8.4 mi · 11 min · MA 3
Exit 43B Toward I 93 North: Boston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3

3.2 mi · 5 min · John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

2.6 mi · 3 min · US 1
Exit 19 Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19

Take the exit

275 ft · 8 sec
Toward Fourth Street Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn right onto Fourth Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Fourth Street
21

Continue on Fourth Street

104 ft · 5 sec · Fourth Street
22

Turn straight onto Hawthorn Street

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Hawthorn Street
23

Continue on Broadway

2.5 mi · 4 min · Broadway
24

Continue on MA 107

158 ft · 5 sec · Broadway
25

Merge onto MA 60; MA 107

52 ft · 1 sec · Albert J Brown Circle
26

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 107

237 ft · 7 sec · Albert J Brown Circle
27

Turn slight right onto MA 107

0.7 mi · 1 min · Broadway
28

Continue on MA 107

1.7 mi · 2 min · Salem Turnpike
29

Continue on MA 107

1.0 mi · 2 min · Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
30

Enter roundabout onto Market Square

110 ft · 2 sec · Market Square
31

Continue on Market Square

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Market Square
32

Continue on South Common Street

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Common Street
33

Continue on City Hall Square

0.1 mi · 11 sec · City Hall Square
34

Continue on Central Avenue

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Central Avenue
35

Turn left onto Liberty Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Liberty Street
36

Turn left onto Essex Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Essex Street
37

Turn right onto Rogers Avenue

66 ft · 2 sec · Rogers Avenue
38

Arrive at destination

Rogers Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip covering 98.8 miles, you have considerable flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Chatham in the morning will allow you to reach Lynn by midday, potentially avoiding heavier local traffic. While there are no specific stops noted, plan for a brief pause around the halfway point, perhaps near the 42.3-mile mark on Pilgrims Highway, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $16 estimated cost suggests mostly local road driving where stations might be more frequent but also require more frequent stops.

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 49.4 miles from Chatham, MA, or about 1h 9m 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 22 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.4 miles or 1h 9m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lynn, MA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Chatham, 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 Chatham, MA

This is one driving day of about 98.8 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Chatham, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

Downtown Norwell, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Norwell, MA

49 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.

Popular next leg

Norwell, MA to Lynn, MA

36.4 mi · 54m

Pacing Suggestions

West Barnstable, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Chatham, 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | MA 28 / Main Street

Enter roundabout onto MA 28 / Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the ramp toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6 West: Hyannis, Boston
9
88.5 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 19 Toward US 1 North: Tobin Bridge, Revere
6
91.1 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Take the exit toward Fourth Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Fourth Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.81 one way

$31.62 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $17.24 $34.49
premium $4.82 $18.76 $37.52
diesel $5.61 $21.81 $43.63

Estimated Tolls: $0.12

Salem Turnpike (1.7 mi) $0.12

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

$16

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.6 0 $10.37 $4.74
Efficient EV 24.7 0 $8.65 $3.95
EV Truck/SUV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 15, 2026

Origin

Chatham, MA

Late night in Chatham on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lynn, MA

Late night in Lynn on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

10 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

2h 18m 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.

Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

From the sweet little farm at the foot of Penn’s Hill to the gentleman’s country estate at Peace field, Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesmen, philosophers…and learned wome...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $15 near mile 77.8
Park Closure: Historic Homes Closed for Season
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

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.

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 88
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 98.1
View on nps.gov
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 81.2
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

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...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 88
View on nps.gov
Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod National Seashore

National Seashore

The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour $25 near mile 6.8
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 has a 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. Only 16% of the journey is on highways, so prepare for a more engaged driving experience with varying speed limits. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.3 miles on Pilgrims Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before rejoining local roads. As you proceed, the character shifts from the Mid Cape Highway to the more urban approach on MA 3.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 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?

8/10

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 early in the drive near Main Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 98.8 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 28 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7 miles: 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 Chatham, MA and Lynn, MA, road signs point toward Boston and Revere.

Boston

7 mi in | ~12m

Revere

88.5 mi in | ~2h 1m | via US 1

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 98.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

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.

Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Salem 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 Lynn, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MA 28 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Salem Maritime 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 Lynn, MA before heading back.

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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