How far is Lowell, MA from Gardner, MA?

The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Gardner, MA is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.9 miles (56.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
41.23 mi
00h 57m
Flight
34.91 mi
56.19 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lowell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.91 mi
Kilometers
56.19 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.23 mi
Kilometers
66.35 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gardner
Thu, Apr 23, 9:26 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 10:23 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-04-23T08:28
Arrive Gardner
Thu, Apr 23, 9:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lowell
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Shirley
MA

Town in Massachusetts, United States

From Lowell
20.6 mi
00h 28m
To Gardner
20.6 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.3 km · 1 min · Lowell Connector

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 South, US 3 North: Worcester, Nashua New Hampshire

    763 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Worcester

    1724 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 495 South: Marlboro

    2589 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    10.7 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 West: Leominster

    2255 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway

    10.9 mi · 15 min · Captain Isaac Davis Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

    15.4 mi · 22 min · Concord Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 68: Gardner, Hubbardston

    1451 ft · 41 sec

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward American Legion Circle

    5 m · 1 sec · Timpany Boulevard

  16. 16

    Exit the rotary onto Timpany Boulevard

    84 m · 5 sec · Timpany Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on Donlan Street

    122 m · 8 sec · Donlan Street

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Donlon Street

    60 m · 4 sec · Donlon Street

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    2363 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto City Hall Avenue

    965 ft · 32 sec · City Hall Avenue

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Nichols Street

    49 m · 7 sec · Nichols Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    29 m · 7 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
55.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Concord Turnpike
15.4 mi · 37%
I 495 South
11.6 mi · 28%
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 26%
Lowell Connector
0.78 mi · 2%
Chelmsford Street
0.55 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Concord Turnpike

15.4 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.4 mi
34.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shirley
00h 28m from Lowell
Leave By
4:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lowell and Mostly Sunny near Gardner.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Shirley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from Lowell and 20.6 miles from Gardner.

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

The direct path is about 34.9 miles (56.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.68 one way or $11.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lowell and Mostly Sunny near Gardner.

Stop Ideas Near Shirley

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 Shirley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.5 mi away

City Hall - Internet Backbone Point

Fitchburg , MA
Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Landmark
Leominster City Hall
Meeting point 6.3 mi away

Leominster City Hall

Leominster , MA
25 West St, Leominster, MA 01453
Rating 4.0/5 19 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shirley.

BUS

Nashua, NH

30 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive
RAIL

Union Station

34 mi away
2 Washington Square
RAIL

Framingham station

35 mi away
417 Waverly St.
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

42 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Gardner. Straight-line distance: 34.91 mi (56.19 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

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

#2 Gardner

City in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Population20,585
Coordinates42.5750900, -71.9981300
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Start: Lowell (-71.31617, 42.63342)
End: Gardner (-71.99813, 42.57509)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.46 gal
5.51 L · about $5.68
Round trip
$11.36
2.92 gal · 11.02 L
Estimated CO2
13 kg one way
Round trip: 26 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.68 $11.36
Mid-grade $4.40 $6.42 $12.84
Premium $4.80 $7.01 $14.01
Diesel $4.49 $6.55 $13.10

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lowell and Gardner. The current time is 08:28:40.

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.