How far is City of Lowell, MA from Sterling, MA?
The driving distance from City of Lowell, MA to Sterling, MA is about 32.9 miles (53 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between City of Lowell and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Lowell and Sterling.
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1
Start on the route
529 ft · 40 sec
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2
Turn right onto Arch Street
5 m · 8 sec · Arch Street
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3
Turn sharp left onto Middlesex Street
117 m · 12 sec · Middlesex Street
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4
Turn right onto Grand Street
1214 ft · 54 sec · Grand Street
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5
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Chelmsford Street
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6
Turn left onto Plain Street
587 ft · 12 sec · Plain Street
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7
Take the ramp straight
1210 ft · 30 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Lowell Connector
1.3 km · 1 min · Lowell Connector
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire
763 ft · 16 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Worcester
1724 ft · 39 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Marlboro
2589 ft · 34 sec
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12
Merge slight left
10.7 mi · 12 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Leominster
2255 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Leominster Connector
2912 ft · 1 min · Leominster Connector
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16
Take the exit slight right
1010 ft · 25 sec
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17
Continue straight
944 ft · 23 sec
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18
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MA 12: Sterling, Clinton
1075 ft · 30 sec
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Leominster Road
69 m · 4 sec · Leominster Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
2758 ft · 52 sec · Leominster Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leominster Road
24 m · 1 sec · Leominster Road
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Leominster Road
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24
Turn straight onto Main Street
627 ft · 27 sec · Main Street
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25
Turn sharp right onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
17 m · 2 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between City of Lowell and Sterling.
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.
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving City of Lowell and Mostly Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from City of Lowell to Sterling?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (53 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Littleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from City of Lowell and 16.5 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.51 one way or $9.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around City of Lowell and Mostly Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Lowell City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton.
Nashua, NH
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between City of Lowell and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 26.32 mi (42.36 km).
#1 City of Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 109,945 |
| Coordinates | 42.6388700, -71.3217100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 8,166 |
| Coordinates | 42.4375900, -71.7606300 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-71.76063, 42.43759)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $5.10 | $10.20 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.57 | $11.13 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $5.21 | $10.41 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.