Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Otis, 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

2h 38m

Distance

122 mi

196 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Otis, MA, MA

Otis, MA

afra nur koç

Downtown Lowell, MA, MA

Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 122-mile journey from Otis, MA, to Lowell, MA, will take you approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes of driving time. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 83% of the drive on major roadways like the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-495, complemented by US 20. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, perfect for a quick getaway within the Northeast region. You'll find it's a straightforward drive that doesn't necessitate an overnight stop, offering convenience for those looking to maximize their time at their destination.

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

61 miles from Otis, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Massachusetts Turnpike 65.3 mi 1h 15m
I 495 30.1 mi 34m
US 20 5.7 mi 10m
Otis Stage Road 5.5 mi 8m
East Otis Road 4.1 mi 6m
Blandford Road 2.8 mi 4m
Chelmsford Street 2.6 mi 4m
Woronoco Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Massachusetts Turnpike — 65.3 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MA 23

3.7 mi · 5 min · East Otis Road
2

Continue on MA 23

0.4 mi · 37 sec · East Otis Road
3

Continue on MA 23

5.5 mi · 8 min · Otis Stage Road
4

Continue on MA 23

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
5

Continue on MA 23

1.7 mi · 3 min · Woronoco Road
6

Continue on MA 23

2.8 mi · 4 min · Blandford Road
7

Turn right onto US 20

5.7 mi · 10 min · US 20
8

Turn left onto Maple Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Maple Street
9

At end of road, turn right onto Orange Street

279 ft · 14 sec · Orange Street
10

Turn left onto US 202; MA 10

343 ft · 11 sec · Elm Street
11

Turn slight right onto US 202; MA 10

0.4 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue
12

Merge onto US 202; MA 10

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Elm Street
13

Turn right

0.1 mi · 22 sec
14

Turn left onto Friendlys Way

355 ft · 12 sec · Friendlys Way
15

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · this road
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
17

Merge onto I 90

65 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Massachusetts Turnpike
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 106 Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH Use the slight left lane.
21

Merge onto I 495

30 mi · 34 min · I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 88 Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
23

Turn right onto MA 110

2.6 mi · 4 min · Chelmsford Street
24

Turn right onto Cambridge Street

314 ft · 14 sec · Cambridge Street
25

Turn left onto Hale Street

486 ft · 13 sec · Hale Street
26

Arrive at destination

Hale Street

Trip Plan

For this 122-mile trip, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach I-495. Since the drive is under 3 hours and has a manageable fuel cost of around $20, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. Consider making your single planned stop along the Massachusetts Turnpike for a quick stretch and to refuel if necessary, though this is unlikely given the short distance. The flexibility of this route means you can depart at your leisure, but early is always recommended for smoother travel.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Otis, MA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61 miles or 1h 24m 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 10m

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 Otis, 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 Otis, MA

This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Otis, 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 Massachusetts Turnpike for about 65.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Wales, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wales, MA

61 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

Holyoke, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Southbridge, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61 miles from Otis, MA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Massachusetts Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 miles.

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

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lowell, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 122

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

El Calenton Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

0.5 mi

Palmer Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palmer, Massachusetts

1.4 mi

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 122

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

El Calenton Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.9

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+14132737226

Visit website

Palmer Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43.6

Palmer, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14132896956

Visit website

Steaming Tender Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43.6

Palmer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14132832744

Visit website

Brickhouse Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.9

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14133632728

Visit website

99 Restaurants

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 69.7

Auburn, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+15088320999

Visit website

The Country Trading Post & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.9

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+14135921641

Visit website

Primavera Cafe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 34.9

Ludlow, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14135890562

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 122

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVPassport Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 113.3

Westford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19292971722

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 113.3

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 113.3

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 113.3

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 113.3

Westford, Massachusetts

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 104.6

Boxborough, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

AmpUp Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 113.3

Westford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19786925501

Visit website

Titanic Historical Society

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 34.9

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 78.4

Worcester, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15089292700

Visit website

DementedFX

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 26.1

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Hours: Closed

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 20.7 and 119 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
20.7 mi into trip | ~34m in | Orange Street

At end of road, turn right onto Orange Street

Navigation decision point

8
87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
88.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
88.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
119 mi into trip | ~2h 32m 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

$19.52 one way

$39.05 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $21.29 $42.58
premium $4.82 $23.17 $46.33
diesel $5.61 $26.94 $53.87

Estimated Tolls: $3.92

Massachusetts Turnpike (65.3 mi) $3.92

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

$20

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.6 0 $12.81 $5.86
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88
EV Truck/SUV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81

Gas CO2

43 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Otis, MA

Night in Otis on Saturday

Local time

9:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, MA

Night in Lowell on Saturday

Local time

9:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

40°F

Wales, MA

61 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

24 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 38m 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

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 122
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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 33.7
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 ~24 min detour Free near mile 113.6
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 ~56 min detour Free near mile 117.8
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 122
View on nps.gov
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park

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 ~68 min detour Free near mile 84.2
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive leans heavily towards a highway-focused experience, with a substantial 83% of the route utilizing major interstates. Expect stretches of consistent driving, including a continuous 65.3-mile segment on the Massachusetts Turnpike. While primarily on fast-paced highways, the inclusion of US 20 offers a slight variation, potentially introducing more local traffic or slightly different road conditions as you progress toward Lowell. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal detours.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 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 20.7 miles in near Orange Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 122 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 20.7 miles (Orange Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.1 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 Otis, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.

Taunton

87.9 mi in | ~1h 55m

Portsmouth New Hampshire

88.1 mi in | ~1h 55m

Portsmouth

88.3 mi in | ~1h 56m

About the Cities

Starting in Otis, MA

Full guide →

Otis is a town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 122 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.92 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 20.7 miles (Orange Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.1 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Lowell, MA

Ashfield, MA 98.3 mi · 2h 23m Williamsburg, MA 92.7 mi · 2h 19m Bliss Corner, MA 84.3 mi · 1h 48m Amherst Center, MA 77.2 mi · 1h 54m

More from Otis, MA

Brockton, MA 131.5 mi · 2h 53m Lynn, MA 128.2 mi · 2h 50m Quincy, MA 125.2 mi · 2h 46m City of Lowell, MA 122.6 mi · 2h 39m Worcester, MA 78.9 mi · 1h 48m

More trips to Lowell, MA

New Marlborough, MA 136.4 mi Adams, MA 119.2 mi Oak Bluffs, MA 113.8 mi East Dennis, MA 106 mi Dennis, MA 103.4 mi Westfield, MA 101.5 mi
Escape planner: Otis, MA Scenic drives in MA

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MA road trips.