How far is Lawrence, MA from Sterling, MA?
The driving distance from Lawrence, MA to Sterling, MA is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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 56m.
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.
Census-designated place in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lawrence and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrence and Sterling.
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1
Start on Essex Street
25 m · 6 sec · Essex Street
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2
Turn right onto Amesbury Street
2276 ft · 50 sec · Amesbury Street
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3
Continue on Parker Street
2490 ft · 56 sec · Parker Street
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4
Continue on Winthrop Avenue
1401 ft · 36 sec · Winthrop Avenue
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5
Turn right onto South Union Street
2720 ft · 54 sec · South Union Street
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6
Continue on Connector Road
1243 ft · 25 sec · Connector Road
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7
Turn straight onto South Broadway
50 m · 4 sec · South Broadway
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 495 South: Lowell, Marlboro
1786 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
1068 ft · 14 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 3: Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
1320 ft · 17 sec
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12
Keep slight left
1931 ft · 25 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Marlboro
2589 ft · 34 sec
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14
Merge slight left
10.7 mi · 12 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Leominster
2255 ft · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Leominster Connector
2912 ft · 1 min · Leominster Connector
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18
Take the exit slight right
1010 ft · 25 sec
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19
Continue straight
944 ft · 23 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward MA 12: Sterling, Clinton
1075 ft · 30 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Leominster Road
69 m · 4 sec · Leominster Road
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
2758 ft · 52 sec · Leominster Road
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leominster Road
24 m · 1 sec · Leominster Road
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Leominster Road
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26
Turn straight onto Main Street
627 ft · 27 sec · Main Street
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27
Turn sharp right onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
17 m · 2 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lawrence and Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 Clear leaving Lawrence and Mostly Clear near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lawrence to Sterling?
The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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 Common is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Lawrence and 21.3 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.84 one way or $11.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Lawrence and Mostly Clear near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton Common
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton Common.
Nashua, NH
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Framingham station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lawrence and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 35.65 mi (57.37 km).
#1 Lawrence
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 80,007 |
| Coordinates | 42.7070400, -71.1631100 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| 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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $5.84 | $11.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $6.60 | $13.19 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $6.73 | $13.46 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.