Blue Salt Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
West Newton, Massachusetts
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16174663174
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
75.1 mi
121 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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.
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Carver, MA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Lowell to Carver, expect a 75.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight split. You should budget approximately $10 for fuel costs to cover the distance. Because this trip stays entirely within the Northeast region of Massachusetts, you will remain in a familiar local environment throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trek that allows you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.5 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Yankee Division Highway | 22.7 mi | 30m |
| Amvets Highway | 17.7 mi | 20m |
| US 3 | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| US 44 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| I 495 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| US 1 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Lowell Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Carver, MA.
Start on Hale Street
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
Turn left onto MA 110
Turn left onto Plain Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto Lowell Connector
Continue on Lowell Connector
Merge onto US 3
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
Take the exit onto US 1
Take the exit
Continue on MA 24
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 44
Enter roundabout onto US 44
Continue on US 44
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MA 58
Continue on MA 58
Turn left onto South Meadow Road
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without worrying about strict pacing. Keep in mind that because you are traveling exclusively on local roads, your travel time may be more susceptible to local traffic conditions than a highway route would be. You can easily complete the entire 75.1-mile journey in one go, so there is no pressure to plan for extensive rest breaks along the way. Before you head out, double-check your navigation for the turns on Plain Street, as these local roads require more frequent course adjustments than a typical interstate route. Having your fuel budget of $10 ready will help you keep the trip simple and stress-free.
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.
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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carver, MA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lowell, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lowell, MA
This is one driving day of about 75.1 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.5 miles from 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
West Newton, Massachusetts
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16174663174
Early in the drive, short detour
West Newton, Massachusetts
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16174663174
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lowell, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lowell, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lowell, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+33172676914
Near the start, short detour
Lowell, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lexington, Massachusetts
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17812748300
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lexington, Massachusetts
Hours: 9:30 am–3:30 pm
+17818621450
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Dedham, Massachusetts
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+16176981802
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lincoln, Massachusetts
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.3 and 62.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Providence Rhode Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward MA 24 South: Fall River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Cape Cod
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 44: Middleboro, Plymouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$12.02 one way
$24.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.11 | $26.21 |
| premium | $4.82 | $14.26 | $28.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.58 | $33.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.89 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.51 | $4.81 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Lowell on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Carver on Sunday
Local time
3:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that avoids highways entirely, maintaining a 0% highway share throughout the trip. You will navigate primarily via Cambridge Street, Chelmsford Street, and Plain Street rather than high-speed interstates. Because this route relies on local roads, there is no single long-distance stretch; for instance, you will find 0 miles of uninterrupted driving on Cambridge Street. The experience behind the wheel is defined by consistent turns and local traffic patterns rather than the monotonous rhythm of a major freeway. Expect a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition between these specific local thoroughfares.
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 12.3 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.1 miles you will encounter 19 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 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (US 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lowell, MA and Carver, MA, road signs point toward Plymouth and Plympton.
Plymouth
Plympton
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 1h 38m. Total distance: 75.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). 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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