How far is Lowell, MA from Ipswich, MA?

The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Ipswich, MA is about 31.8 miles (51.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.4 miles (39.2 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.
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
31.82 mi
00h 56m
Flight
24.35 mi
39.18 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
24.35 mi
Kilometers
39.18 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.82 mi
Kilometers
51.21 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ipswich
Thu, Apr 23, 6:34 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-04-23T05:38
Arrive Ipswich
Thu, Apr 23, 6:34 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:38 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

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
Andover
MA

Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

From Lowell
15.9 mi
00h 28m
To Ipswich
15.9 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
60°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Lawrence

    1.5 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 28 South: Andover

    1691 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    2038 ft · 54 sec · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Haverhill Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Haverhill Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Peters Street

    1444 ft · 33 sec · Peters Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Andover Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Andover Street

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Johnson Street

    4 m · 1 sec · Johnson Street

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Johnson Street

    153 m · 12 sec · Johnson Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Salem Street

    2.4 mi · 6 min · Salem Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Boxford Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Boxford Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Lawrence Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Lawrence Road

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto Topsfield Road Extension

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Topsfield Road Extension

  21. 21

    Continue on Boxford Road

    1516 ft · 39 sec · Boxford Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Washington Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn slight right onto High Street Extension

    1.1 km · 2 min · High Street Extension

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Boston Street

    1939 ft · 37 sec · Boston Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Boston Road

    3090 ft · 53 sec · Boston Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Boston Street

    153 m · 17 sec · Boston Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Ipswich Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Ipswich Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Topsfield Road

    3.7 mi · 7 min · Topsfield Road

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto Depot Square

    119 m · 25 sec · Depot Square

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    30 m · 4 sec · Washington Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
31 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
97.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 495 North
10 mi · 31%
Topsfield Road
3.72 mi · 12%
Salem Street
2.45 mi · 8%
Topsfield Road Extension
1.85 mi · 6%
Ipswich Road
1.83 mi · 6%
Boxford Street
1.8 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 495 North

Merge slight left

9.06 mi · 00h 10m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
24.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Andover
00h 28m from Lowell
Leave By
4:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lowell and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ipswich.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 31.8 miles (51.2 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?

Andover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.9 miles from Lowell and 15.9 miles from Ipswich.

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

The direct path is about 24.4 miles (39.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 4:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.36 one way or $8.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lowell and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ipswich.

Stop Ideas Near Andover

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Andover, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Haverhill station

13 mi away
Washington Street at Railroad Square
RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

16 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
BUS

Newburyport, Massachusetts

25 mi away
90 Storey Avenue
BUS

Nashua, NH

33 mi away
8 North Southwood Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Ipswich. Straight-line distance: 24.35 mi (39.18 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

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

#2 Ipswich

Town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States

Population14,091
Coordinates42.6792600, -70.8411600
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Lowell (-71.31617, 42.63342)
End: Ipswich (-70.84116, 42.67926)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 51 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.12 gal
4.25 L · about $4.36
Round trip
$8.71
2.24 gal · 8.5 L
Estimated CO2
10 kg one way
Round trip: 19.9 kg / 44 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $4.36 $8.71
Mid-grade $4.40 $4.92 $9.85
Premium $4.80 $5.37 $10.75
Diesel $4.49 $5.03 $10.05

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lowell and Ipswich. The current time is 05:38:16.

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.