Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA is 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 43m via Amvets Highway and US 3, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Northeast region, entirely in Massachusetts. Expect a local, turn-heavy drive for most of the journey. Given the short duration and modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward transition between two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 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
Amvets Highway
32.7 mi
37m
Yankee Division Highway
22.7 mi
30m
US 3
9.1 mi
10m
US 1
3.1 mi
4m
Wilbur Avenue
2.8 mi
4m
Lowell Connector
2.1 mi
2m
Western Fall River Expressway
2 mi
2m
Chelmsford Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 32.7 mi, about 37m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 295 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,726
Quietest
2 AM
~254 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23×
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 Ocean Grove, 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 right at fork
0.7 mi·54 sec
Exit 72BToward I 95 South: Providence Rhode IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
23 mi·30 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 1
3.1 mi·4 min·US 1
Exit 26Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on MA 24
33 mi·37 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79
2.0 mi·2 min·Western Fall River Expressway
Exit 7Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
18
Merge onto US 6; MA 138
0.1 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Bridge
19
Take the exit onto MA 138
0.2 mi·20 sec·MA 138
Toward MA 103 West, MA 138 North: Somerset, Warren Rhode Island
20
Keep slight left at fork
228 ft·11 sec
Toward MA 103 West: Warren Rhode Island
21
Turn left onto MA 138
0.4 mi·41 sec·Riverside Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto MA 103
11 ft·0 sec·Wilbur Avenue
23
Continue on MA 103
2.8 mi·4 min·Wilbur Avenue
24
Turn left onto Coleman Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Coleman Street
25
Turn left onto Puffer Avenue
84 ft·5 sec·Puffer Avenue
26
Turn right onto Clancy Street
244 ft·10 sec·Clancy Street
27
Arrive at destination
Clancy Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time under two hours and a fuel cost around $13, this route offers excellent flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee in Lowell. Since it's a short trip, you won't need to plan extensive stops, but keep an eye out for local services if you need to stretch your legs or refuel. The 'turn-heavy' nature means paying close attention to navigation, especially as you approach Ocean Grove.
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 39.4 miles from City of Lowell, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 39.4 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ocean Grove, 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 78.8 miles and 1h 43m.
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 Amvets Highway for about 32.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 72.5 — 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
12.7 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island
8
36.1 mi into trip|~49m in|US 1
Take the exit onto US 1 toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
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 26
Toward I 93 North, US 1 North: Boston
7
39.3 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward MA 24 South: Fall River
7
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto MA 79 / Western Fall River Expressway toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward MA 79 South: North Fall River, Somerset
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.98 one way
$27.95 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$15.20
$30.39
premium
$5.29
$16.41
$32.83
diesel
$5.35
$16.60
$33.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
EV Truck/SUV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
City of Lowell, MA
Evening
in City of Lowell on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Sunny
NW 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ocean Grove, MA
Evening
in Ocean Grove on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
SW 7 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
1 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 43m 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
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...
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...
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.
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 27.2
. . . 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 40.7
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all t...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 73.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy' and local, with only 18% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a dynamic route that shifts between faster stretches and more intricate local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 32.7 miles along Amvets Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in speed and direction as you navigate through various towns and communities.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on Amvets 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 0.1 miles in near Middlesex Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 22 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
214 ft19 ft
Total Climb
327 ft
Total Descent
403 ft
Highest Point
214 ft
~45 mi in
Elevation Range
195 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 City of Lowell, MA to Ocean Grove, MA, road signs begin pointing toward Somerset along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on Amvets Highway. 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 Ocean Grove, 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 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and Adams 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 Ocean Grove, MA before heading back.
