Origin
Wilbraham, MA
Late night in Wilbraham on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilbraham, 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 50m
Distance
86 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilbraham, MA
Italo Melo
Lowell, MA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Wilbraham to Lowell is 86 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via Massachusetts Turnpike and I-495, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Massachusetts, covering a relatively short distance within the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey between these two points. You'll find this route is an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43 miles from Wilbraham, MA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Turnpike | 43 mi | 49m |
| I 495 | 30.1 mi | 34m |
| Boston Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Chelmsford Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 2 mi | 6m |
| Wilbraham Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Thorndike Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Massachusetts Turnpike
— 43 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilbraham, MA and Lowell, MA.
1
Start on this road
111 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Main Street
2.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
3
Merge onto US 20
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Boston Road
4
Continue on US 20
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Wilbraham Street
5
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
6
Turn left onto US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Thorndike Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft
·
7 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
10
Merge onto I 90
43 mi
·
49 min
·
Massachusetts Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 106
Toward I 495: Portsmouth New Hampshire, Taunton
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth New Hampshire
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Portsmouth NH
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 495
30 mi
·
34 min
·
I 495
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 88
Toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
16
Turn right onto MA 110
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Chelmsford Street
17
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
314 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cambridge Street
18
Turn left onto Hale Street
486 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hale Street
19
Arrive at destination
Hale Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 50 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will give you plenty of daylight. There are no recommended stops, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 43 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike, so it's wise to fuel up before embarking if your tank is low.
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 miles from Wilbraham, MA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 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 33m
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 Wilbraham, MA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wilbraham, MA
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Wilbraham, MA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Massachusetts Turnpike for about 43 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43 miles from Wilbraham, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 83 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 20 / Thorndike Street
Turn left onto US 20 / Thorndike Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
51.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
52 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m 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
$13.76 one way
$27.53 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| premium | $4.82 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.58
Massachusetts Turnpike
(43 mi)
$2.58
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.50 |
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.
Destination
Lowell, MA
Late night in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
2:02 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
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 50m 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
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 77.1
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 3
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
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
View on nps.gov
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 53.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Massachusetts Turnpike, including one uninterrupted stretch of 43 miles. The journey transitions to I-495, maintaining a high-speed, direct feel for most of the 86 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes covering distance efficiently.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 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 7.4 miles in near US 20 / Thorndike 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 86 miles you will encounter 13 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 7.4 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wilbraham, MA and Lowell, MA, road signs point toward Taunton, Portsmouth New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
Taunton
51.8 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Portsmouth New Hampshire
52 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Portsmouth
52.3 mi in
|
~1h 8m
About the Cities
Arriving in Lowell, MA
Full guide →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.
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 1h 50m. Total distance: 86 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43 miles on Massachusetts Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.58 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 7.4 miles (US 20 / Thorndike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park and New England National Scenic Trail (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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