Lowell to Williamsburg is 93 miles and takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes via Concord Turnpike and I-495, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mixed drive that isn't overly demanding, making it a straightforward option for a single day. If you're looking for a relatively short trip with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill nicely.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Lowell, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Concord Turnpike
37.2 mi
51m
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi
14m
I 495
10.7 mi
12m
Federal Street
4.7 mi
8m
State Road
3.7 mi
6m
Haydenville Road
3.4 mi
5m
Mountain Street
2.8 mi
4m
Mohawk Trail
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Concord Turnpike
— 37.2 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MA and Williamsburg, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·Lowell Connector
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 2B-AToward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New HampshireUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 2AToward I 495 South: WorcesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
10
Merge onto I 495
11 mi·12 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 78BToward MA 2 West: Leominster
12
Merge onto MA 2
11 mi·14 min·Captain Isaac Davis Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
37 mi·51 min·Concord Turnpike
14
Continue on MA 2
2.0 mi·3 min·East Main Street
15
Continue on MA 2
0.8 mi·1 min·Public Works Boulevard
16
Continue on MA 2
1.9 mi·3 min·State Road
17
Continue on MA 2
2.5 mi·3 min·Mohawk Trail
18
Turn slight left onto Prospect Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Prospect Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto MA 63
0.2 mi·19 sec·Lester Street
20
Continue on MA 63
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bridge Street
21
Turn right onto MA 63
378 ft·17 sec·West Main Street
22
Turn left onto MA 63
4.7 mi·8 min·Federal Street
23
Turn right onto Gunn Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Gunn Road
24
Turn left onto MA 47
0.6 mi·1 min·Sunderland Road
25
Continue on MA 47
2.4 mi·4 min·Montague Road
26
Continue on MA 47
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
27
Turn right onto MA 116
1.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
28
Turn left onto US 5; MA 10
1.9 mi·2 min·State Road
29
Turn right onto Christian Lane
0.5 mi·51 sec·Christian Lane
30
Keep slight left at fork
310 ft·13 sec
31
Continue on Chestnut Plain Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Chestnut Plain Road
32
Turn right onto Haydenville Road
3.4 mi·5 min·Haydenville Road
33
Continue on Mountain Street
2.8 mi·4 min·Mountain Street
34
Continue on High Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·High Street
35
Turn right onto MA 9
2.1 mi·4 min·Main Street
36
Turn right onto North Street
52 ft·2 sec·North Street
37
Turn right
241 ft·17 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 19-minute duration, this is a great same-day trip. Leaving Lowell in the morning should give you ample time to reach Williamsburg without feeling rushed. With only 93 miles and a $15 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent gas stops, but it's always wise to top off before you leave. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Concord Turnpike, Captain Isaac Davis Highway, and I-495 to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 46.3 miles from Lowell, MA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.2 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Williamsburg, 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 92.7 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Lowell, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Concord Turnpike for about 37.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 66.2
Wendell, Massachusetts
Hours: 6 pm–12 am
+19785442739
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 13.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B-A
Toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nash...
8
2 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Worcester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 495 South: Worcester
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 South: Marlboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 495 South: Marlboro
5
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 495
Merge onto I 495
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
13.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward MA 2 West: Leominster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78B
Toward MA 2 West: Leominster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.84 one way
$29.67 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$16.18
$32.36
premium
$4.82
$17.60
$35.20
diesel
$5.61
$20.47
$40.93
Estimated Tolls: $2.61
Concord Turnpike
(37.2 mi)$2.61
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
$15
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.11
$3.71
EV Truck/SUV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Lowell, MA
Night
in Lowell on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Williamsburg, MA
Night
in Williamsburg on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Orange, MA
46 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
16 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
2h 19m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 6.4
From the Sound to the summits: the New England Trail covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 89.5
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.
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 3.2
Originally established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historical Park consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the...
. . . 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 3.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 52% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Concord Turnpike and Captain Isaac Davis Highway, before transitioning onto I-495. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 37.2 miles on Concord Turnpike, offering a solid period of consistent driving. The character of the road shifts as you progress, blending faster highway segments with what is likely more typical local road driving as you approach your destination.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.2 mi on Concord Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 92.7 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 92.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.2 miles on Concord Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.61 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.
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 Williamsburg, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (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 Williamsburg, MA before heading back.
