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Trip from North Chicopee, 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 54m

Distance

93.1 mi

150 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

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

Downtown North Chicopee, MA, MA

North Chicopee, MA

Phil Evenden

Downtown Lowell, MA, MA

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

This 93.1-mile drive from North Chicopee, MA, to Lowell, MA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a predominantly high-speed experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $15. Since both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, you'll remain in familiar territory throughout. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for a quick and efficient transit between these two Massachusetts locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

46.5 miles from North Chicopee, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 56.9 mi 1h 5m
I 495 30.1 mi 34m
Chelmsford Street 2.6 mi 4m
Montgomery Street 0.9 mi 1m
Montello Road 0.2 mi <1m
Dale Street 0.2 mi <1m
Hale Street <0.1 mi <1m
Cambridge Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 56.9 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Chicopee, MA and Lowell, MA.

1

Start on Montauk Road

65 ft · 3 sec · Montauk Road
2

Turn slight left onto Montello Road

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Montello Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto Dale Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Dale Street
4

Turn right onto Montgomery Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Montgomery Street
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min
6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 90

57 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 106 Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 495

30 mi · 34 min · I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 88 Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
14

Turn right onto MA 110

2.6 mi · 4 min · Chelmsford Street
15

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 14 sec · Cambridge Street
16

Turn left onto Hale Street

486 ft · 13 sec · Hale Street
17

Arrive at destination

Hale Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 54 minutes for this 93.1-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility in planning your departure. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid any potential rush hour congestion, particularly as you approach Lowell. With a fuel cost estimate of just $15, you won't need to worry extensively about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without a break is 56.9 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, so consider stretching your legs at one of the many service areas along that highway before embarking on the I-495 portion.

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 46.5 miles from North Chicopee, MA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 46.5 miles or 57m 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 32m

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 North Chicopee, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from North Chicopee, MA

This is one driving day of about 93.1 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from North Chicopee, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 56.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Worcester, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worcester, MA

47 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

Palmer, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Worcester, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.5 miles from North Chicopee, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 90.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Dale Street

At end of road, turn left onto Dale Street

Navigation decision point

8
59 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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
59.2 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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
59.4 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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
6
90.1 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 88 Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.90 one way

$29.80 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $16.25 $32.50
premium $4.82 $17.68 $35.36
diesel $5.61 $20.56 $41.11

Estimated Tolls: $3.41

Massachusetts Turnpike (56.9 mi) $3.41

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

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.9 0 $9.78 $4.47
Efficient EV 23.3 0 $8.15 $3.72
EV Truck/SUV 37.2 0 $13.03 $5.96

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 17, 2026

Origin

North Chicopee, MA

Late night in North Chicopee on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, MA

Late night in Lowell on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog

SE 1 to 7 mph 20% chance Live forecast

64°F

Worcester, MA

47 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

9 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 54m 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

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 93.1
View on nps.gov
New England National Scenic Trail

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...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Minute Man National Historical Park

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 86.7
View on nps.gov
Boston National Historical Park

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 89.9
View on nps.gov
Salem Maritime National Historical Park

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 93.1
View on nps.gov
Adams National Historical Park

Adams National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 61
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a highway-focused drive, with the vast majority of this 93.1-mile trip taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Massachusetts Turnpike, including one uninterrupted stretch of 56.9 miles. The extensive use of highways, like I-495 and Chelmsford Street, means you'll likely experience consistent speeds and minimal traffic delays, especially if you time your departure well. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.9 mi on Massachusetts Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 0.2 miles in near Dale Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (Dale Street): Navigation decision point; at 59 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 North Chicopee, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.

Taunton

59 mi in | ~1h 11m

Portsmouth New Hampshire

59.2 mi in | ~1h 12m

Portsmouth

59.4 mi in | ~1h 12m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 93.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m 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 56.9 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.41 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Dale Street): Navigation decision point; at 59 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 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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