Trip from Ludlow, MA to Lowell, MA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

86.8 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 39m ★

6 AM

1h 47m

8 AM

2h 3m

10 AM

1h 53m

12 PM

1h 51m

3 PM

1h 54m

5 PM

2h 2m

8 PM

1h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States

Ludlow, MA

Wikimedia Commons

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

This 87.9-mile drive from Ludlow, MA to Lowell, MA will take approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate local streets like Walnut Street, Oak Street, and Howard Street, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this distance. This route is characterized by frequent turns, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, it’s easily manageable in a single day without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.4 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	2.6 mi	4m
Center Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Sewall Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Oak Street	0.1 mi	<1m
Howard Street	0.1 mi	<1m
Hale 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 Lowell, MA.

Start on this road

130 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right

181 ft · 14 sec

Turn right

73 ft · 11 sec

Turn left onto Walnut Street

285 ft · 14 sec · Walnut Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · Oak Street

At end of road, turn left onto Howard Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Howard Street

Turn right onto Sewall Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Sewall Street

At end of road, turn right onto MA 21

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Center Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 90

51 mi · 58 min · Massachusetts Turnpike

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec

Exit 106 Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 495

30 mi · 34 min · I 495

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Exit 88 Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell

Turn right onto MA 110

2.6 mi · 4 min · Chelmsford Street

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 14 sec · Cambridge Street

Turn left onto Hale Street

486 ft · 13 sec · Hale Street

Arrive at destination

Hale Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short, 87.9-mile drive taking just under 1.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in both Ludlow and Lowell. With no major highways, the $14 fuel cost is your primary expense, and stops are not factored in, suggesting you can complete this trip without needing to refuel. Pay close attention to the frequent turns indicated by your navigation system, as this is a key characteristic of the route.

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 43.4 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 43.4 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near 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 86.8 miles and 1h 47m.

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worcester, MA

43 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Wales, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grafton, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Ludlow, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14135890562

Visit website

Tony & Penny's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ludlow, Massachusetts

0.3 mi

Brickhouse Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

0.6 mi

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14135890562

Visit website

Tony & Penny's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14135836351

Visit website

Brickhouse Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14133632728

Visit website

Blue Elephant Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Wilbraham, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+14135431500

Visit website

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.8

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

Cima Restaurant & Chop House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Wilbraham, Massachusetts

Hours: 4:30–10 pm

+14132793322

Visit website

Jasmine Asian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 37.2

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+15088328868

Visit website

Yong Shing Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 37.2

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–12:30 pm

+15088320622

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 86.8

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 74.4

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 74.4

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 74.4

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 74.4

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 74.4

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

AmpUp Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 80.6

Westford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19786925501

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 80.6

Westford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Titanic Historical Society

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14135434770

Visit website

EcoTarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 43.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15089292700

Visit website

The Billiards Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 74.4

Ayer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+19787727665

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

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.

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

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.

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

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...

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

$13.89 one way

$27.78 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$15.15	$30.30
premium	$4.82	$16.48	$32.96
diesel	$5.61	$19.16	$38.33

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

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26	$9.11	$4.17
Efficient EV	21.7	$7.59	$3.47
EV Truck/SUV	34.7	$12.15	$5.56

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 15, 2026

Origin

Ludlow, MA

Late night in Ludlow on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, MA

Late night in Lowell on Sunday

Local time

12:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Worcester, MA

43 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

22 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 47m on the road

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.

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 86.8

View on nps.gov

New England National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 3

View on nps.gov

Minute Man National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 77.9

View on nps.gov

Boston National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 83.8

View on nps.gov

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 86.8

View on nps.gov

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Blackstone River powered America's entry into the Age of Industry. The success of Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, RI touched off a chain reaction that changed how people worked...

27 mi from route ~69 min detour Free near mile 50.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. You’ll be navigating through various local roads, including Walnut Street, Oak Street, and Howard Street. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be constantly adjusting your direction, making it a more engaging experience behind the wheel. There isn't a "longest stretch" to speak of, as the journey is composed of a series of connected local roads rather than continuous, uninterrupted segments.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 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?

9/10

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 Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.

Taunton

52.7 mi in | ~1h 4m

Portsmouth New Hampshire

52.9 mi in | ~1h 4m

Portsmouth

53.1 mi in | ~1h 5m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m 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 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.

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 Lowell, MA before heading back.

How this page is built

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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Return Trip

Lowell, MA to Ludlow, MA

Plan the drive back the other way.

84.2 mi 1h 46m

Explore more options from Ludlow, MA or browse trips ending in Lowell, MA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.

Trip from Ludlow, MA to Lowell, MA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

Tony & Penny's Restaurant

Brickhouse Tavern

Blue Elephant Restaurant

Phnom Penh Restaurant

Cima Restaurant & Chop House

Jasmine Asian Restaurant

Yong Shing Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

AmpUp Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Titanic Historical Society

EcoTarium

The Billiards Cafe

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ludlow, MA

Lowell, MA

Same local time

22 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 47m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Lowell National Historical Park

New England National Scenic Trail

Minute Man National Historical Park

Boston National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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