How far is Lowell, MA from Arlington, MA?

The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Arlington, MA is about 20.9 miles (33.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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
20.96 mi
00h 28m
Flight
17.12 mi
27.55 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lowell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.12 mi
Kilometers
27.55 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
20.96 mi
Kilometers
33.73 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arlington
Fri, Apr 10, 7:33 PM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Fri, Apr 10, 8:02 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-04-10T19:05
Arrive Arlington
Fri, Apr 10, 7:33 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:29 AM to 7:29 PM EDT

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

Leave by
7:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Lowell
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
Bedford
MA

Town in Massachusetts

From Lowell
10.5 mi
00h 14m
To Arlington
10.5 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SW
Destination
35°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Hale Street

    148 m · 15 sec · Hale Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cambridge Street

    96 m · 16 sec · Cambridge Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Chelmsford Street

    2924 ft · 56 sec · Chelmsford Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Plain Street

    587 ft · 12 sec · Plain Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    1210 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Lowell Connector

    1 mi · 1 min · Lowell Connector

  7. 7

    Continue on Lowell Connector

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lowell Connector

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North, US 3 South: Boston, Peabody

    1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1528 ft · 43 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Yankee Division Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 3 South: Winchester

    1045 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Cambridge Street

    2354 ft · 35 sec · Cambridge Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Cambridge Road

    2 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Cambridge Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Mystic Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Mystic Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue

    1033 ft · 22 sec · Massachusetts Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Academy Street

    97 m · 18 sec · Academy Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    62 m · 15 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
95.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lowell Connector
11.3 mi · 54%
Cambridge Street
2.43 mi · 12%
Cambridge Road
2 mi · 10%
Mystic Street
1.55 mi · 7%
I 95 North
1.33 mi · 6%
Yankee Division Highway
0.91 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Lowell Connector

Merge slight left

9.15 mi · 00h 11m

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 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
17.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bedford
00h 14m from Lowell
Leave By
7:32 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lowell and Mostly Clear near Arlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 20.9 miles (33.7 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?

Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.5 miles from Lowell and 10.5 miles from Arlington.

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

The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.88 one way or $5.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowell and Mostly Clear near Arlington.

Stop Ideas Near Bedford

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 Bedford and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 13.7 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 13.7 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 11.7 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 13.6 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 Bedford.

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

11 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

22 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Back Bay station

23 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

24 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 17.12 mi (27.55 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population110,904
Coordinates42.6334200, -71.3161700
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Arlington

#2 Arlington

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Population45,169
Coordinates42.4153700, -71.1564400
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Start: Lowell (-71.31617, 42.63342)
End: Arlington (-71.15644, 42.41537)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.74 gal
2.8 L · about $2.88
Round trip
$5.76
1.48 gal · 5.6 L
Estimated CO2
6.6 kg one way
Round trip: 13.2 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $2.88 $5.76
Mid-grade $4.40 $3.25 $6.51
Premium $4.80 $3.55 $7.10
Diesel $4.49 $3.32 $6.64

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Lowell and Arlington. The current time is 19:05:02.

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.