How far is Lowell, MA from Athol, MA?
The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Athol, MA is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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 01h 16m.
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.
The largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lowell and Athol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Athol.
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1
Start on Hale Street
148 m · 15 sec · Hale Street
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2
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
96 m · 16 sec · Cambridge Street
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3
Turn left onto Chelmsford Street
2924 ft · 56 sec · Chelmsford Street
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4
Turn left onto Plain Street
587 ft · 12 sec · Plain Street
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5
Take the ramp straight
1210 ft · 30 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Lowell Connector
1.3 km · 1 min · Lowell Connector
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire
763 ft · 16 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Worcester
1724 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Marlboro
2589 ft · 34 sec
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10
Merge slight left
10.7 mi · 12 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Leominster
2255 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
25.7 mi · 36 min · Concord Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A: Athol, Phillipston
1546 ft · 57 sec
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15
Turn left onto Templeton Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Templeton Road
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16
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue
866 ft · 21 sec · Chestnut Hill Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Bridge Street
82 m · 6 sec · Bridge Street
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19
Turn straight onto Crescent Street
1792 ft · 42 sec · Crescent Street
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20
Turn sharp right onto Fish Street
27 m · 5 sec · Fish Street
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21
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell and Athol.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike
25.7 mi · 00h 36m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lowell and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athol.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Athol?
The road trip is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Leominster is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.8 miles from Lowell and 27 miles from Athol.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 3:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.39 one way or $14.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lowell and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Athol.
Stop Ideas Near Leominster
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Leominster City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Leominster.
Union Station
Nashua, NH
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Athol. Straight-line distance: 46.37 mi (74.63 km).
#1 Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 110,904 |
| Coordinates | 42.6334200, -71.3161700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athol
Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 11,698 |
| Coordinates | 42.5959200, -72.2267500 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athol (-72.22675, 42.59592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $7.39 | $14.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $8.35 | $16.71 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $9.12 | $18.24 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $8.53 | $17.05 |
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.