Embark on a straightforward 74-mile journey from Somerset, MA, to Lowell, MA, a drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes. This trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of $12. The route primarily utilizes Amvets Highway and I-95 before transitioning to US-3, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its relatively short distance and duration, you won't need an overnight stop. This is a practical drive through the Northeast region of Massachusetts, connecting two points without requiring extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Somerset, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Amvets Highway
25.1 mi
29m
I 95
22.5 mi
30m
US 3
9.9 mi
11m
County Street
2.7 mi
4m
Yankee Division Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Chelmsford Street
1.4 mi
2m
Somerset Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Elm Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Amvets Highway
— 25.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Somerset, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on Billy's Lane
201 ft·15 sec·Billy's Lane
2
Turn left onto High Street
0.4 mi·41 sec·High Street
3
Continue on Pleasant Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Pleasant Street
4
Turn left onto North Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Street
5
Turn right onto MA 138
2.7 mi·4 min·County Street
6
Continue on MA 138
1.1 mi·1 min·Somerset Avenue
7
Turn right onto Center Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Center Street
8
Continue on Elm Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Elm Street
9
Continue on Bay View Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·Bay View Avenue
10
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
11
Turn slight right onto Porter Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Porter Street
12
Continue on Padelford Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Padelford Street
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward MA 24 North: Boston
14
Merge onto MA 24
25 mi·29 min·Amvets Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 41BToward I 93 South, US 1 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 93; US 1
2.1 mi·2 min·Yankee Division Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1
0.6 mi·50 sec·US 1
Exit 1BToward I 95 North, US 1 South: Dedham, Portsmouth New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
23 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 50A-BToward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New HampshireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·35 sec·this road
Exit 50AToward US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
22
Continue on US 3
9.4 mi·10 min·US 3
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·US 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 81B-CToward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, MarlboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 81CToward MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
27
Turn right onto MA 110
1.4 mi·2 min·Chelmsford Street
28
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft·14 sec·Cambridge Street
29
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft·13 sec·Hale Street
30
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 39 minute drive, starting your trip on Amvets Highway in Somerset, MA, allows for a smooth beginning. With a total distance of 74 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $12, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Since the longest stretch on Amvets Highway is 25.1 miles, consider taking a brief break before merging onto I-95 if you prefer. The flexibility of this shorter route means you can depart at a time that best suits your schedule, avoiding potential traffic near Lowell, MA.
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 37 miles from Somerset, MA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.1 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37 miles or 49m 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 25m
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 Somerset, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Somerset, MA
This is one driving day of about 74 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Somerset, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Amvets Highway for about 25.1 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 34.5 and 71.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
34.5 mi into trip|~45m 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
37.6 mi into trip|~50m 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
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
$11.84 one way
$23.69 round trip
$4.07/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$12.92
$25.83
premium
$4.82
$14.05
$28.10
diesel
$5.61
$16.34
$32.68
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: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.77
$3.55
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.36
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Jun 20, 2022
Origin
Somerset, MA
Late night
in Somerset on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lowell, MA
Late night
in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
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 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 39m 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...
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...
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...
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.
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 45.9
. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach o...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 35.7
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 5.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 74-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, with 45% of it being highway travel. You'll encounter stretches on Amvets Highway, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 25.1 miles. The drive progresses from local roads onto the faster pace of I-95, eventually leading you onto US-3. Expect a blend of speeds and road types that keeps the journey engaging without being overly demanding. The character of the drive shifts as you move between these different thoroughfares.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.1 mi on Amvets Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74 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 34.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.6 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.8 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 Somerset, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Portsmouth New Hampshire, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington and Nashua New Hampshire.
Lowell is a city in Massachusetts about 40 minutes northwest of Boston. With over 115,000 residents (2020), it's the fifth largest city in Massachusetts, and has an important historical background. It was the first planned industrial city in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 74 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.1 miles on Amvets Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 34.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.6 miles (US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.8 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, Minute Man National Historical Park and Adams 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.
