How far is Essex, MA from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance from Essex, MA to Lowell, MA is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.1 miles (43.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 48m.
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.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Essex and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Essex and Lowell.
-
1
Start on Martin Street
1 km · 1 min · Martin Street
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2
Continue on Western Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Western Avenue
-
3
Continue on Essex Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Essex Street
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4
Continue on Larch Row
2328 ft · 50 sec · Larch Row
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5
Turn left onto Dodges Row
1.2 km · 1 min · Dodges Row
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6
Continue on Dodge Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Dodge Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Enon Street
50 m · 3 sec · Enon Street
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8
Continue on Dodge Street
1 km · 1 min · Dodge Street
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward MA 128 South: Peabody, Boston
941 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
19.7 mi · 27 min · Yankee Division Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
626 ft · 15 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
1377 ft · 34 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9.8 mi · 12 min
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14
Keep slight left
2462 ft · 32 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
2299 ft · 43 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
1368 ft · 21 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
842 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Chelmsford Street
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19
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
96 m · 15 sec · Cambridge Street
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20
Turn left onto Hale Street
148 m · 13 sec · Hale Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hale Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Essex and Lowell.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Yankee Division Highway
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
19.7 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Essex and Rain Showers Likely near Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Essex to Lowell?
The road trip is about 44.2 miles (71.2 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Reading is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Essex and 23.9 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.1 miles (43.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.07 one way or $12.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Essex and Rain Showers Likely near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Reading
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Salem City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Reading.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Essex and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 27.11 mi (43.63 km).
#1 Essex
Town in Essex County, New York
| Population | 3,824 |
| Coordinates | 42.6320400, -70.7828300 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 110,904 |
| Coordinates | 42.6334200, -71.3161700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hale Street (-71.316165, 42.633415)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $6.86 | $13.72 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.