Connecting Ludlow to Lowell, this 87.4-mile journey across Massachusetts is a straightforward, efficient transit through the Northeast. You can expect a drive time of roughly 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $14, the route is economically manageable for most travelers. Because the journey is relatively brief, you likely won't need an overnight split, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare. The path relies heavily on major arteries, ensuring a consistent pace throughout the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this highway-focused connection provides a reliable way to navigate between these two Massachusetts cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Ludlow, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike
50.8 mi
58m
I 495
30.1 mi
34m
Chelmsford Street
2.9 mi
5m
Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Sewall Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Oak Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Howard Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Westford Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 50.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludlow, MA and City of Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
130 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
181 ft·14 sec
3
Turn right
73 ft·11 sec
4
Turn left onto Walnut Street
285 ft·14 sec·Walnut Street
5
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·Oak Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Howard Street
7
Turn right onto Sewall Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Sewall Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21
0.3 mi·49 sec·Center Street
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
51 mi·58 min·Massachusetts Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 106Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, TauntonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NHUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 495
30 mi·34 min·I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 88Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
17
Turn right onto MA 110
2.9 mi·5 min·Chelmsford Street
18
Turn sharp left onto MA 3A
458 ft·10 sec·Westford Street
19
Turn right onto Grand Street
448 ft·23 sec·Grand Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
383 ft·18 sec·Middlesex Street
21
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
15 ft·5 sec·Arch Street
22
Turn left
0.1 mi·38 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on high-traffic interstates, so check real-time road conditions before heading out to avoid potential congestion on the 87.4-mile path. Because there are no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily complete the drive in one go, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break during the 1-hour and 48-minute trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your toll pass ready for the Massachusetts Turnpike portion, as this will help keep your journey smooth and prevent delays as you transition toward the Lowell area.
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 43.7 miles from Ludlow, MA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.8 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 53m 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 30m
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 Ludlow, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ludlow, MA
This is one driving day of about 87.4 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ludlow, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 50.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 53.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Howard Street
At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|MA 21 / Center Street
At end of road, turn right onto MA 21 / Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
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 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
7
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hamp...
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.99 one way
$27.97 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$15.25
$30.51
premium
$4.82
$16.60
$33.19
diesel
$5.61
$19.30
$38.59
Estimated Tolls: $3.05
Massachusetts Turnpike
(50.8 mi)$3.05
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
$14
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: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.18
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.24
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Ludlow, MA
Morning
in Ludlow on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Lowell, MA
Morning
in City of Lowell on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 to 7 mph4% 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
15 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 48m 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...
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...
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 78.3
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 84.4
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 87.4
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$15
near mile 54.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 93% of this route is dedicated to highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-495, which provide the backbone of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 50.8 miles on the Turnpike, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you transition from the Turnpike to I-495 and eventually onto Chelmsford Street, the road character remains focused on efficiency rather than winding scenic detours. It is a functional, highway-heavy drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.8 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Massachusetts Turnpike and I 495. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Howard Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.4 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Ludlow, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 87.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.8 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.05 in tolls one way, starting with Massachusetts 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 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 0.3 miles (Howard Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (MA 21 / Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, New England National Scenic Trail and Minute Man National Historical Park (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 City of Lowell, MA before heading back.
