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Trip from City of Lowell, MA to Amherst Center, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

77.6 mi

125 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown City of Lowell, MA, MA

City of Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

census-designated place in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States

Amherst Center, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 77.6-mile drive from Lowell, MA to Amherst Center, MA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Concord Turnpike, Daniel Shays Highway, and Captain Isaac Davis Highway, with a significant portion on these main roads. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $12, making it an economical option for a day trip. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the drive geographically contained.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

38.8 miles from City of Lowell, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Concord Turnpike 31.4 mi 43m
Daniel Shays Highway 14.3 mi 23m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway 10.9 mi 14m
I 495 10.7 mi 12m
Amherst Road 4.2 mi 8m
Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
Pelham Road 0.9 mi 1m
Lowell Connector 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Concord Turnpike — 31.4 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Lowell, MA and Amherst Center, MA.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 40 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Arch Street

15 ft · 8 sec · Arch Street
3

Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street

383 ft · 12 sec · Middlesex Street
4

Turn right onto Grand Street

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Grand Street
5

Turn right onto MA 110

0.7 mi · 1 min · Chelmsford Street
6

Turn left onto Plain Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Plain Street
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
8

Merge onto Lowell Connector

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 2B-A Toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 2A Toward I 495 South: Worcester Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
12

Merge onto I 495

11 mi · 12 min · I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 78B Toward MA 2 West: Leominster
14

Merge onto MA 2

11 mi · 14 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
15

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

31 mi · 43 min · Concord Turnpike
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 71 Toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown
17

Turn left onto US 202

14 mi · 23 min · Daniel Shays Highway
18

Turn right onto Amherst Road

4.2 mi · 8 min · Amherst Road
19

Continue on Pelham Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pelham Road
20

Continue on Main Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
21

Turn left onto Boltwood Avenue

117 ft · 5 sec · Boltwood Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Boltwood Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 55-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic in the Lowell area. With no designated stops provided, you can easily add brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 31.4-mile stretch on Concord Turnpike, as fuel availability might be less frequent on certain highway segments. The $12 fuel cost suggests this is an efficient trip, so focus on enjoying the drive without excessive concern for refueling 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 38.8 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.4 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 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.8 miles or 53m 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 34m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving City of Lowell, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from City of Lowell, MA

This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from City of Lowell, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 31.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Orange, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orange, MA

39 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

Boxborough, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westminster, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from City of Lowell, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Gene & Steve's Airport Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leominster, Massachusetts

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+19787284473

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lowell, Massachusetts

0.4 mi

Templeton Cafe & Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

East Templeton, Massachusetts

1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Oliver’s Café By The Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fitchburg, MA

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.3

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19786963420

Visit website

Corner Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orange, Massachusetts

2.9 mi

Gene & Steve's Airport Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+19787284473

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

Templeton Cafe & Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.4

East Templeton, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19786327070

Visit website

Brew Barn Taproom & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 49.9

Phillipston, Massachusetts

Hours: 3–8 pm

+19788959658

Visit website

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19787518606

Visit website

Summer St. Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

+19785166919

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+19783430099

Visit website

The Hen House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 38.8

Gardner, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–12:45 pm

+19786326322

Visit website

Oliver’s Café By The Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.3

Fitchburg, MA

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19786963420

Visit website

Corner Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.4

Orange, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19786334433

Visit website

Rise & Grind Cafe Fitchburg

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.3

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19785030899

Visit website

Identity Coffee Co.

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 27.7

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19787907125

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 11.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 11.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 77.6

Amherst, MA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 11.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 77.6

Amherst, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 77.6

Hadley, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 16.6

Ayer, MA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

All In Adventures Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 77.6

Hadley, Massachusetts

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14132008386

Visit website

Launch Family Entertainment Leominster

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 27.7

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 3:30–8 pm

+19782375600

Visit website

The Billiards Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 16.6

Ayer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+19787727665

Visit website

Deja Brew Cafe & Pub

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61

Wendell, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 pm–12 am

+19785442739

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 56.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Middlesex Street

Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

8
2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire

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 2B-A Toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nash...
8
2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Worcester

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2A Toward I 495 South: Worcester
5
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Marlboro

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
8
56.6 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 71 Toward US 202 South: Athol, Belchertown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.42 one way

$24.84 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $13.54 $27.09
premium $4.82 $14.73 $29.47
diesel $5.61 $17.13 $34.27

Estimated Tolls: $2.20

Concord Turnpike (31.4 mi) $2.20

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

$12

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 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 23.3 0 $8.15 $3.72
Efficient EV 19.4 0 $6.79 $3.10
EV Truck/SUV 31 0 $10.86 $4.97

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 16, 2026

Origin

City of Lowell, MA

Late night in City of Lowell on Sunday

Local time

12:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 3 mph 21% chance Live forecast

Destination

Amherst Center, MA

Late night in Amherst Center on Sunday

Local time

12:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

39°F

Orange, MA

39 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

25 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 55m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Lowell National Historical Park

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 ~1 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 77.6
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 8
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.

21 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 2.7
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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 2.7
View on nps.gov
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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour $15 near mile 2.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 54% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.4 miles on Concord Turnpike, offering a period of consistent travel. As you progress, the character of the drive will likely shift between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions, so staying attentive is key.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.4 mi on Concord Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 0.1 miles in near Middlesex Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.1 miles (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from City of Lowell, MA to Amherst Center, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Belchertown along the way.

Belchertown

56.6 mi in | ~1h 18m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 31.4 miles on Concord Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.20 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 Amherst Center, 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 0.1 miles (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Amherst Center, 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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