Hardwick, MA to the City of Lowell, MA is 60.6 miles and takes about 1h 34m via Concord Turnpike and I-495, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way toward Lowell. It's a straightforward, manageable drive that’s well-suited for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for a relatively quick transition between towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.3 miles from Hardwick, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Concord Turnpike
11.1 mi
15m
I 495
10.2 mi
11m
I 190
9.1 mi
10m
Main Street
6.2 mi
10m
Old Turnpike Road
4.9 mi
8m
Chelmsford Street
2.9 mi
5m
Barre Road
2.8 mi
5m
Manning Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 11.1 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hardwick, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
33 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MA 32A
346 ft·8 sec·Petersham Road
3
Turn left onto Barre Road
2.8 mi·5 min·Barre Road
4
Continue on Hardwick Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Hardwick Road
5
Continue on Ravine Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Ravine Road
6
Continue on Old Turnpike Road
4.9 mi·8 min·Old Turnpike Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto MA 122
0.6 mi·1 min·Worcester Road
8
Continue on MA 122
0.9 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
9
Continue on MA 122
0.8 mi·1 min·Barre Paxton Road
10
Turn left onto MA 122A
6.2 mi·10 min·Main Street
11
Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Mount Pleasant Avenue
12
Continue on Quinapoxet Street
1.8 mi·4 min·Quinapoxet Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto MA 31
0.2 mi·28 sec·Wachusett Street
14
Turn right onto Manning Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Manning Street
15
Continue on Laurel Street
443 ft·10 sec·Laurel Street
16
Turn left onto Raymond Huntington Highway
1.2 mi·1 min·Raymond Huntington Highway
17
Continue on Legg Road
0.4 mi·46 sec·Legg Road
18
Turn right onto MA 140
0.3 mi·31 sec·Redemption Rock Trail
19
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
20
Merge onto I 190
9.1 mi·10 min·I 190
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 19BToward MA 2 East: Boston
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
23
Merge onto Leominster Connector
0.1 mi·15 sec·Leominster Connector
24
Merge onto MA 2
11 mi·15 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
27
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·11 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
29
Turn right onto MA 110
2.9 mi·5 min·Chelmsford Street
30
Turn sharp left onto MA 3A
458 ft·10 sec·Westford Street
31
Turn right onto Grand Street
448 ft·23 sec·Grand Street
32
At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft·18 sec·Middlesex Street
33
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft·5 sec·Arch Street
34
Turn left
0.1 mi·38 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 34m estimated drive time, this is an easy one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure. Leaving in the morning should get you to Lowell with plenty of daylight. Plan for one or two brief stops if needed, though the relatively short distance means you might not need many. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach Lowell, and remember the estimated fuel cost is around $10. The Concord Turnpike is a significant portion of the drive, so be mindful of its conditions.
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 30.3 miles from Hardwick, MA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 13 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.3 miles or 52m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Lowell, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hardwick, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hardwick, MA
This is one driving day of about 60.6 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Hardwick, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 11.1 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.5 and 60.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
34.5 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward MA 2 East: Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 19B
Toward MA 2 East: Boston
7
46.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
46.7 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
6
57.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
6
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|Arch Street
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.70 one way
$19.40 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$10.58
$21.15
premium
$4.82
$11.51
$23.01
diesel
$5.61
$13.38
$26.76
Estimated Tolls: $1.12
Concord Turnpike
(11.1 mi)$0.78
Old Turnpike Road
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.2
0
$6.36
$2.91
Efficient EV
15.2
0
$5.30
$2.42
EV Truck/SUV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 18, 2026
Origin
Hardwick, MA
Morning
in Hardwick on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Morning
in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Cloudy
E 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Worcester, MA
30 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
14 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
1h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 60.6-mile drive features a 58% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 11.1 miles on Concord Turnpike. You'll transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Lowell. Expect to encounter a moderate number of exits and merges as you navigate the various highways and local roads.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.1 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 34.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.6 miles you will encounter 23 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 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Hardwick, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Lawrence and Lowell.
Lawrence
46.7 mi in|~1h 14m
Lowell
57.1 mi in|~1h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 60.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.1 miles on Concord Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.12 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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 City of Lowell, 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 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Lowell, MA before heading back.
