Lowell, MA to Forestdale, MA is 88 miles and takes about 2 hours 1 minute via MA 3 and US 3, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Massachusetts, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a relatively quick trip where most of the mileage is covered on main roads. The journey is designed for efficient travel, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal complexities. Plan for a single day of travel on this route.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from City of Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MA 3
30.9 mi
39m
Pilgrims Highway
12 mi
15m
US 3
10.7 mi
13m
Southeast Expressway
8 mi
10m
Mid Cape Highway
3.7 mi
5m
Forestdale Road
3.3 mi
6m
John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
3 mi
4m
Interstate 93 HOV lane
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MA 3
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 179 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~5,070 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,939
Quietest
2 AM
~486 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Lowell, MA and Forestdale, 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
1.0 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
9
Continue on Lowell Connector
1.1 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
Exit 1AToward US 3 South: Boston
10
Merge onto US 3
9.1 mi·10 min·US 3
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
1.0 mi·2 min·US 3
Exit 72AToward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, PeabodyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 3
13
Merge onto I 95; US 3; MA 128
0.9 mi·1 min·Yankee Division Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 3
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 3
Exit 51AToward US 3 South: WinchesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 3
0.4 mi·34 sec·Cambridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·2 min·Cambridge Road
17
Continue on US 3
1.1 mi·1 min·Cambridge Street
18
Turn left onto Church Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Church Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Bacon Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Bacon Street
20
Enter roundabout onto MA 38
37 ft·0 sec·Main Street
21
Continue on MA 38
0.5 mi·45 sec·Main Street
22
Continue on MA 38
1.3 mi·1 min·Winthrop Street
23
Enter roundabout onto MA 38
100 ft·4 sec·Winthrop Street
24
Continue on MA 38
0.1 mi·27 sec·Winthrop Street
25
Turn left onto MA 16; MA 38
0.5 mi·1 min·Mystic Valley Parkway
26
Continue on MA 16
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mystic Valley Parkway
Toward MA 16 East: Everett, Revere
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 93: Boston, Concord New Hampshire
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 93 South: BostonUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 93
1.1 mi·1 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate 93 HOV lane
Use the slight left lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Interstate 93 HOV lane
32
Merge onto I 93; US 1
3.0 mi·4 min·John F. Fitzgerald Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 93; US 1; MA 3
8.0 mi·10 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3
31 mi·39 min·MA 3
Exit 7Toward MA 3 South: Cape CodUse the slight left lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 3
12 mi·15 min·Pilgrims Highway
36
Continue on MA 3
0.2 mi·19 sec·Pilgrim Highway
37
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi·45 sec·Sagamore Bridge
38
Continue on US 6
3.7 mi·5 min·Mid Cape Highway
39
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 59Toward MA 130: Sandwich, Mashpee
40
Keep slight right at fork
153 ft·4 sec
41
Turn straight onto MA 130
3.3 mi·6 min·Forestdale Road
42
Arrive at destination
MA 130
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour duration and 88-mile distance, this trip offers considerable flexibility for departure times. You can easily complete this route in a single day, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, planning for gas stops should be straightforward. Keep an eye on the longest stretch of 30.9 miles on MA 3; ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment if you prefer not to stop. Given the limited number of recommended stops, focus on enjoying the directness of the drive.
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 44 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 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 Forestdale, 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.
+
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 City of Lowell, MA
This is one driving day of about 88 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 MA 3 for about 30.9 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 37.3 — 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
9
12.7 mi into trip|~17m in|US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3 toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody
7
15 mi into trip|~21m in|US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 South: Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward US 3 South: Winchester
8
22.5 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 93 South: Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 93 South: Boston
8
37.3 mi into trip|~54m in|MA 3
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 3 toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward MA 3 South: Cape Cod
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.61 one way
$31.22 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$16.97
$33.94
premium
$5.29
$18.33
$36.66
diesel
$5.35
$18.54
$37.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.70
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.32
$5.63
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
City of Lowell, MA
Evening
in City of Lowell on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Forestdale, MA
Evening
in Forestdale on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
N 6 to 15 mph8% 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
6 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 1m 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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 12.1
. . . 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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 33.4
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 24.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 65% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like MA 3 and US 3, which offer a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 30.9 miles on MA 3, allowing for steady progress. While primarily highway, the overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than extensive scenic exploration. Be prepared for the typical characteristics of a highway-focused journey as you make your way to Forestdale.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on MA 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MA 3 and Pilgrims Highway. 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 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 29 significant decision points across 88 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 0.1 miles (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
183 ft14 ft
Total Climb
365 ft
Total Descent
306 ft
Highest Point
183 ft
~12.6 mi in
Elevation Range
170 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between City of Lowell, MA and Forestdale, MA, road signs point toward Peabody, Revere and Concord New Hampshire.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 88 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on MA 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Forestdale, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Middlesex Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.7 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles (US 3): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Adams National Historical Park, Boston National Historical Park and Lowell 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 Forestdale, MA before heading back.
