Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
28.7 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cochituate, MA
Wikimedia Commons
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
This 28.7-mile drive from Cochituate to Lowell, Massachusetts, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 41 minutes. Considered a single-day excursion, it won't require an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes US 3 and the Yankee Division Highway, with a portion on Boston Post Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, this is an economical option for getting between these two Northeast communities. It's a practical choice for a quick journey without much fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 3 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Yankee Division Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Boston Post Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Old Connecticut Path | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Chelmsford Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Cochituate Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Weston Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cochituate, MA and Lowell, MA.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn right onto MA 27
Continue on MA 27
Turn right onto Old Connecticut Path
Merge onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Continue on US 3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto MA 110
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
Turn left onto Hale Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.5 and 26.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit 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
Keep slight right at fork toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$4.59 one way
$9.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.01 | $10.02 |
| premium | $4.82 | $5.45 | $10.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.34 | $12.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.51 | $1.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cochituate on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Areas Of Fog then Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a drive with a 34% highway share, meaning you'll encounter both faster-paced sections and more local road driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 9.9 miles on US 3, providing a good opportunity to settle in. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests a varied experience, transitioning between different road types as you progress toward Lowell. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise but rather a blend that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.
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 15.5 miles in.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 28.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.8 miles (US 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cochituate, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire, Marlboro and Chelmsford.
Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington
Nashua New Hampshire
Marlboro
Chelmsford
Lowell is a city in Massachusetts about 40 minutes northwest of Boston. With over 115,000 residents (2020), it's the fifth largest city in Massachusetts, and has an important historical background. It was the first planned industrial city in the United States.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 28.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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