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Trip from Plympton, MA to City of 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 35m

Distance

72.5 mi

117 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 29m ★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 31m

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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Downtown Plympton, MA, MA

Plympton, MA

Italo Melo

Downtown City of Lowell, MA, MA

City of Lowell, MA

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

The drive from Plympton, MA to City of Lowell, MA covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, Amvets Highway, US 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.5 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.60 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

36.2 miles from Plympton, MA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 22.5 mi 30m
Amvets Highway 17.5 mi 20m
US 3 9.9 mi 11m
US 44 7.8 mi 8m
I 495 3.6 mi 4m
Yankee Division Highway 2.1 mi 2m
Main Street 1.8 mi 3m
Chelmsford Street 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 22.5 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plympton, MA and City of Lowell, MA.

1

Start on Parsonage Road

82 ft · 8 sec · Parsonage Road
2

Turn right onto MA 58

1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 44 West
4

Merge onto US 44

7.8 mi · 8 min · US 44
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Enter roundabout onto US 44

256 ft · 3 sec · Harding Street
6

Continue on US 44

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Harding Street
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 495 North: Marlboro, Boston
8

Merge onto I 495

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 495
9

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward MA 24 North: Boston
10

Merge onto MA 24

18 mi · 20 min · Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 41B Toward I 93 South, US 1 South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 93; US 1

2.1 mi · 2 min · Yankee Division Highway
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1

0.6 mi · 50 sec · US 1
Exit 1B Toward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmouth New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 95

23 mi · 30 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 50A-B Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 35 sec · this road
Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
18

Continue on US 3

9.4 mi · 10 min · US 3
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 3

0.5 mi · 32 sec · US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Exit 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 81C Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
23

Turn right onto MA 110

1.8 mi · 2 min · Chelmsford Street
24

Turn sharp left onto MA 3A

458 ft · 10 sec · Westford Street
25

Turn right onto Grand Street

448 ft · 23 sec · Grand Street
26

At end of road, turn left onto Middlesex Street

383 ft · 18 sec · Middlesex Street
27

Turn sharp right onto Arch Street

15 ft · 5 sec · Arch Street
28

Turn left

0.1 mi · 38 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 36.2 miles from Plympton, MA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.5 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 16 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.2 miles or 45m 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 20m

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 Plympton, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Plympton, MA

This is one driving day of about 72.5 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Plympton, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 22.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Westwood, MA, MA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Westwood, MA

36 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

Raynham, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dedham, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Plympton, 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

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lowell, Massachusetts

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.5

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

Tastefully Done Restaurant and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Westwood, Massachusetts

0.3 mi

The Chateau Restaurant Waltham

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Waltham, Massachusetts

1.4 mi

Phnom Penh Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.5

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19782750999

Tastefully Done Restaurant and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 36.2

Westwood, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17813294155

Visit website

The Chateau Restaurant Waltham

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 51.8

Waltham, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+17818943339

Visit website

JK Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.4

Lakeville, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15085059080

Echo Bridge Restaurant & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 46.6

Newton, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+16179697092

Visit website

Brickhouse Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.4

Dedham, Massachusetts

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17813261980

Visit website

In A Pickle Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 51.8

Waltham, Massachusetts

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17818911212

Visit website

Stonebridge Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.7

Brockton, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15085845200

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 72.5

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.3

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 72.5

North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.5

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 72.5

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 72.5

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 72.5

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 72.5

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+33172676914

Newton Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Lexington Service Plaza Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Bridgewater Service Plaza Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Westwood Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Bridgewater Service Plaza Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Wilson Mountain Reservation

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 41.4

Dedham, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16176981802

Visit website

Lexington Battle Green

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 57

Lexington, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17812748300

Visit website

Lexington Visitors Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 57

Lexington, Massachusetts

Hours: 9:30 am–3:30 pm

+17818621450

Visit website

Minute Man National Historical Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57

Lincoln, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Visit website

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 32.5 and 69.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
32.5 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 93 South, US 1 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 41B Toward I 93 South, US 1 South
9
35.6 mi into trip | ~45m in | US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1 toward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmouth New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1B Toward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmou...
8
58.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50A-B Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike,...
9
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50A Toward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
8
69.5 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 81B-C Toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlbor...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.60 one way

$23.21 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $12.65 $25.31
premium $4.82 $13.77 $27.53
diesel $5.61 $16.01 $32.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.34 $2.90
EV Truck/SUV 29 0 $10.15 $4.64

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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 16, 2026

Origin

Plympton, MA

Afternoon in Plympton on Sunday

Local time

12:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Lowell, MA

Afternoon in City of Lowell on Sunday

Local time

12:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live 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

2 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 35m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

72.5 mi in 1h 35m, mostly highway — 22.5 mi of that is on I 95.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.5 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Amvets Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 25 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 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.7 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 Plympton, MA and City of Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Boston, Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington and Nashua New Hampshire.

Boston

10.1 mi in | ~12m

Portsmouth New Hampshire

35.6 mi in | ~45m | via US 1

Middlesex Turnpike

58.7 mi in | ~1h 16m

Burlington

58.7 mi in | ~1h 16m

Nashua New Hampshire

58.7 mi in | ~1h 16m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 22.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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