How far is Amherst, MA from Lowell, MA?

The driving distance from Amherst, MA to Lowell, MA is about 79 miles (127.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.9 miles (102.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.96 mi
01h 30m
Flight
63.95 mi
102.92 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Amherst.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
63.95 mi
Kilometers
102.92 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.96 mi
Kilometers
127.07 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 12:26 AM EDT
Return by in Amherst
Thu, Apr 23, 1:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Amherst
2026-04-22T22:56
Arrive Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 12:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Amherst
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Gardner
MA

City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

From Amherst
38.9 mi
00h 45m
To Lowell
40 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph S
Destination
46°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Amherst and Lowell.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amherst and Lowell.

  1. 1

    Start on Depot Road

    137 m · 20 sec · Depot Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Pleasant Street

    2191 ft · 53 sec · South Pleasant Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto College Street

    1745 ft · 55 sec · College Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Dickinson Street

    1019 ft · 24 sec · Dickinson Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Pelham Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Pelham Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Amherst Road

    4.2 mi · 9 min · Amherst Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Daniel Shays Highway

    14.2 mi · 23 min · Daniel Shays Highway

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right

    18.2 mi · 25 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    12.2 mi · 18 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    12.3 mi · 17 min · Concord Turnpike

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Lowell

    2445 ft · 59 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence

    974 ft · 24 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    10.2 mi · 12 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell

    1311 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Chelmsford Street

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Chelmsford Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Cambridge Street

    96 m · 15 sec · Cambridge Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Hale Street

    148 m · 13 sec · Hale Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hale Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Amherst and Lowell.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Daniel Shays Highway
44.7 mi · 57%
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi · 16%
I 495 North
10.8 mi · 14%
Amherst Road
4.23 mi · 5%
Chelmsford Street
2.6 mi · 3%
Pelham Road
0.94 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Daniel Shays Highway

Take the ramp slight right

18.2 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
63.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gardner
00h 45m from Amherst
Leave By
3:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Amherst and Light Rain Likely near Lowell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Amherst to Lowell?

The road trip is about 79 miles (127.1 km) and usually takes 01h 30m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.9 miles from Amherst and 40 miles from Lowell.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 63.9 miles (102.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.85 one way or $21.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Amherst and Light Rain Likely near Lowell.

Stop Ideas Near Gardner

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Gardner and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.2 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gardner.

RAIL

Union Station

39 mi away
2 Washington Square
BUS

Nashua, NH

47 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Amherst, Massachusetts

48 mi away
13 Railroad St.
RAIL

John W. Olver Transit Center

49 mi away
12 Olive Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Amherst and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 63.95 mi (102.92 km).

Amherst

#1 Amherst

Town in Massachusetts

Population40,643
Coordinates42.3672300, -72.5185200
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Lowell

#2 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population110,904
Coordinates42.6334200, -71.3161700
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Start: Depot Road (-72.518559, 42.367096)
End: Hale Street (-71.316165, 42.633415)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.79 gal
10.55 L · about $10.85
Round trip
$21.71
5.58 gal · 21.1 L
Estimated CO2
24.8 kg one way
Round trip: 49.6 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $10.85 $21.71
Mid-grade $4.40 $12.27 $24.54
Premium $4.80 $13.39 $26.78
Diesel $4.49 $12.52 $25.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Massachusetts · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Amherst and Lowell. The current time is 22:56:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.