How far is Chelsea, MA from City of Lowell, MA?

The driving distance from Chelsea, MA to City of Lowell, MA is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.6 miles (36.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
33.94 mi
00h 43m
Flight
22.54 mi
36.27 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chelsea.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.54 mi
Kilometers
36.27 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
33.94 mi
Kilometers
54.62 km
Drive Time
00h 43m

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 00h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in City of Lowell
Sun, May 31, 4:45 AM EDT
Return by in Chelsea
Sun, May 31, 5:29 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chelsea
2026-05-31T04:01
Arrive City of Lowell
Sun, May 31, 4:45 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Chelsea
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Burlington
MA

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

From Chelsea
13.7 mi
00h 21m
To City of Lowell
20.3 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chelsea and City of Lowell.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea and City of Lowell.

  1. 1

    Start on Shawmut Street

    701 ft · 33 sec · Shawmut Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    160 m · 20 sec · Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Hawthorn Street

    53 m · 5 sec · Hawthorn Street

  4. 4

    Turn sharp left onto Pearl Street

    622 ft · 34 sec · Pearl Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Congress Avenue

    99 m · 16 sec · Congress Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Broadway

    557 ft · 15 sec · Broadway

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Second Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Second Street

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway

    1353 ft · 23 sec · Broadway

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sweetser Circle

    69 m · 4 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

  10. 10

    Exit the rotary onto Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

    2041 ft · 36 sec · Krystyl K. Poirier Memorial Roadway

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Santilli Circle

    55 m · 5 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary

    556 ft · 15 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Revere Beach Parkway

    2813 ft · 54 sec · Revere Beach Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    61 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Fellsway

    1772 ft · 35 sec · Fellsway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Riverside Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on City Hall Mall

    545 ft · 25 sec · City Hall Mall

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Salem Street

    878 ft · 23 sec · Salem Street

  19. 19

    Continue on High Street

    2486 ft · 1 min · High Street

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Winthrop Street

    21 m · 1 sec · Winthrop Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Winthrop Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Winthrop Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Main Street

    2682 ft · 46 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Bacon Street

    29 m · 2 sec · Bacon Street

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Bacon Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Bacon Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Church Street

    1781 ft · 38 sec · Church Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Cambridge Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cambridge Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Cambridge Road

    2 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    1 km · 48 sec · Cambridge Street

  29. 29

    Take the exit straight toward I 95 South, US 3 North: Waltham, Lowell

    945 ft · 27 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Yankee Division Highway

  31. 31

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

    626 ft · 15 sec

  32. 32

    Keep slight left to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

    1377 ft · 34 sec

  33. 33

    Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

    9.8 mi · 12 min

  34. 34

    Keep slight left

    2462 ft · 32 sec

  35. 35

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

    2299 ft · 43 sec

  36. 36

    Keep slight left to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

    1368 ft · 21 sec

  37. 37

    Keep slight right to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford

    842 ft · 24 sec

  38. 38

    Turn right onto Chelmsford Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Chelmsford Street

  39. 39

    Turn sharp left onto Westford Street

    140 m · 11 sec · Westford Street

  40. 40

    Turn right onto Grand Street

    137 m · 24 sec · Grand Street

  41. 41

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Middlesex Street

    117 m · 18 sec · Middlesex Street

  42. 42

    Turn sharp right onto Arch Street

    5 m · 6 sec · Arch Street

  43. 43

    Turn left

    529 ft · 39 sec

  44. 44

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chelsea and City of Lowell.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
44 steps
27 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
2 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
129.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 3 North
10.7 mi · 31%
Cambridge Road
2 mi · 6%
Chelmsford Street
1.79 mi · 5%
Cambridge Street
1.74 mi · 5%
Second Street
1.41 mi · 4%
Winthrop Street
1.28 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

US 3 North

Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire

9.83 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 43m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.3 mi
22.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burlington
00h 21m from Chelsea
Leave By
7:02 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chelsea and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near City of Lowell.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chelsea to City of Lowell?

The road trip is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Burlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.7 miles from Chelsea and 20.3 miles from City of Lowell.

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

The direct path is about 22.6 miles (36.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.67 one way or $9.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chelsea and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near City of Lowell.

Stop Ideas Near Burlington

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 Burlington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 11.3 mi away

Cocobeet - Boston

Boston , MA
100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
Rating 4.4/5 198 reviews Health food restaurant,Juice shop,Raw food restaurant,Vegan restaurant
Boston's Old City Hall
Scenic stop 11.4 mi away

Boston's Old City Hall

Boston , MA
45 School St, Boston, MA 02108, United States
Rating 4.6/5 346 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark
Cambridge City Hall
Meeting point 9.4 mi away

Cambridge City Hall

Cambridge , MA
795 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Rating 4.4/5 47 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 11.3 mi away

City Hall Plaza

Boston , MA
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203
Rating 4.4/5 208 reviews City park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

5 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

19 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Back Bay station

20 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

21 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chelsea and City of Lowell. Straight-line distance: 22.54 mi (36.27 km).

Chelsea

#1 Chelsea

City in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States

Population39,230
Coordinates42.3917600, -71.0328300
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
City of Lowell

#2 City of Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population109,945
Coordinates42.6388700, -71.3217100
Altitude33
CountryUnited States
Start: Shawmut Street (-71.032583, 42.391687)
End: (-71.321003, 42.638895)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 55 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.2 gal
4.53 L · about $4.67
Round trip
$9.34
2.4 gal · 9.06 L
Estimated CO2
10.7 kg one way
Round trip: 21.3 kg / 47 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $4.67 $9.34
Mid-grade $4.40 $5.28 $10.55
Premium $4.80 $5.76 $11.52
Diesel $4.49 $5.39 $10.77

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Chelsea and City of Lowell. The current time is 04:01:32.

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.