Lowell, MA to West Tisbury, MA is 120.5 miles and takes about 3h 17m via Yankee Division Highway and I 495, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, making it a straightforward drive between two points in the Northeast region. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, suitable for a single-day excursion. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you can expect a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Yankee Division Highway
22.7 mi
30m
I 495
19 mi
21m
Amvets Highway
17.7 mi
20m
MA 28
10.4 mi
15m
MA 25
10.1 mi
11m
US 3
9.1 mi
10m
Woods Hole - Vineyard Haven Ferry
7.9 mi
45m
State Road
7.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Yankee Division Highway
— 22.7 mi, about 30m
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 Lowell, MA and West Tisbury, MA.
1
Start on Hale Street
486 ft·14 sec·Hale Street
2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft·16 sec·Cambridge Street
3
Turn left onto MA 110
0.6 mi·56 sec·Chelmsford Street
4
Turn left onto Plain Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Plain Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto Lowell Connector
1.0 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
7
Continue on Lowell Connector
1.1 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
Exit 1AToward US 3 South: Boston
8
Merge onto US 3
9.1 mi·10 min·US 3
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·54 sec
Exit 72BToward I 95 South: Providence Rhode IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 95; MA 128
23 mi·30 min·Yankee Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward MA 24 South: Fall RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on MA 24
18 mi·20 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 22AToward I 495 South: Cape CodUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 495
19 mi·21 min·I 495
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on MA 25
10 mi·11 min·MA 25
17
Continue on MA 28
0.8 mi·1 min·MA 28
18
Enter roundabout onto MA 28
286 ft·9 sec·General MacArthur Boulevard
Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery
19
Continue on MA 28
4.0 mi·5 min·General MacArthur Boulevard
Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery
20
Enter roundabout onto MA 28
0.1 mi·15 sec·MA 28
21
Continue on MA 28
9.5 mi·13 min·MA 28
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on Locust Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·Locust Street
23
Continue on Woods Hole Road
3.3 mi·7 min·Woods Hole Road
24
Turn left onto Crane Street
279 ft·12 sec·Crane Street
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Cowdry Road
448 ft·30 sec·Cowdry Road
26
At end of road, turn left
127 ft·15 sec
27
Turn left
203 ft·14 sec
28
Continue on Woods Hole - Vineyard Haven Ferry
7.9 mi·45 min·Woods Hole - Vineyard Haven Ferry
29
Continue
369 ft·31 sec
30
At end of road, turn left onto Water Street
388 ft·11 sec·Water Street
31
Turn right onto Beach Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Beach Street
32
Continue on State Road
7.2 mi·12 min·State Road
33
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach West Tisbury without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. The 120.5-mile route is manageable in a single day, offering flexibility to adjust your departure time if needed. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to your destination.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.7 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Tisbury, MA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Lowell, MA
This is one driving day of about 120.5 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Lowell, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Yankee Division Highway for about 22.7 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 12.3 and 87.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.3 mi into trip|~15m 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
35.7 mi into trip|~47m 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
38.8 mi into trip|~51m 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
57.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South: Cape Cod
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 22A
Toward I 495 South: Cape Cod
6
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|MA 28 / General MacArthur Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto MA 28 / General MacArthur Boulevard toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape Cod, National Cemetery
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MA 28 South: Woods Hole, Joint Base Cape...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.37 one way
$42.74 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$23.24
$46.47
premium
$5.29
$25.10
$50.20
diesel
$5.35
$25.38
$50.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.65
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.87
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Lowell, MA
Afternoon
in Lowell on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
N 3 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Tisbury, MA
Afternoon
in West Tisbury on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 6 mph25% 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
7 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
3h 17m 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 29.1
. . . 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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
"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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 74.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 43% of this drive utilizes highways, primarily the Yankee Division Highway and I 495. You'll encounter your longest continuous highway stretch at 22.7 miles on the Yankee Division Highway. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen as you approach your destination. Expect a mixed driving experience, balancing faster highway speeds with slower surface street travel.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.7 mi on Yankee Division Highway.
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 12.3 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 120.5 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
241 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
341 ft
Total Descent
421 ft
Highest Point
241 ft
~43 mi in
Elevation Range
242 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lowell, MA and West Tisbury, MA, road signs point toward Joint Base Cape Cod and National Cemetery.
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.
Top landmarks
•Middlesex Canal — canal in Massachusetts, United States of America
•Lowell National Historical Park — U.S. national park located in Massachusetts
•St. Patrick's Church — church building in Massachusetts, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 120.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.7 miles on Yankee Division Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 West Tisbury, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at West Tisbury, MA, but most travelers stay overnight.
