How far is Lowell, MA from Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA?

The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA is about 41.3 miles (66.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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
41.29 mi
00h 57m
Flight
28.09 mi
45.21 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
28.09 mi
Kilometers
45.21 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.29 mi
Kilometers
66.45 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 Manchester-by-the-Sea
Mon, May 25, 6:56 PM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Mon, May 25, 7:53 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-05-25T17:58
Arrive Manchester-by-the-Sea
Mon, May 25, 6:56 PM 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
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:36 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
Reading
MA

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

From Lowell
20.6 mi
00h 28m
To Manchester-by-the-Sea
20.7 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Memorial Day

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Memorial Day

Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lowell and Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Manchester-by-the-Sea.

  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

    13.3 mi · 18 min · Yankee Division Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Yankee Division Highway

    13.3 mi · 19 min · Yankee Division Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Essex, Manchester

    747 ft · 26 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on School Street, Manchester

    57 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto School Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · School Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Brook Street

    127 m · 18 sec · Brook Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Brook Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell and Manchester-by-the-Sea.

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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Yankee Division Highway
26.6 mi · 64%
Lowell Connector
11.3 mi · 27%
I 95 North
1.33 mi · 3%
School Street
0.85 mi · 2%
Chelmsford Street
0.55 mi · 1%
Plain Street
0.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Yankee Division Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Yankee Division Highway

13.3 mi · 00h 19m

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 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
28.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Reading
00h 28m from Lowell
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Lowell and Rain Showers near Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Manchester-by-the-Sea?

The road trip is about 41.3 miles (66.5 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?

Reading is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from Lowell and 20.7 miles from Manchester-by-the-Sea.

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

The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 4:36 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 Light Rain Likely around Lowell and Rain Showers near Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Stop Ideas Near Reading

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 Reading and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 10.9 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 11 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
Salem City Hall
Meeting point 9.9 mi away

Salem City Hall

Salem , MA
93 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970
Rating 4.2/5 84 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Plaza
Scenic stop 10.8 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 Reading.

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

4 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

18 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Back Bay station

20 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

20 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Straight-line distance: 28.09 mi (45.21 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population110,904
Coordinates42.6334200, -71.3161700
Altitude36
CountryUnited States
Manchester-by-the-Sea

#2 Manchester-by-the-Sea

Town in Massachusetts

Population5,438
Coordinates42.5778700, -70.7689400
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Lowell (-71.31617, 42.63342)
End: Manchester-by-the-Sea (-70.76894, 42.57787)

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
5.52 L · about $5.68
Round trip
$11.36
2.92 gal · 11.04 L
Estimated CO2
13 kg one way
Round trip: 26 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 · May 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Lowell and Manchester-by-the-Sea. The current time is 17:58:54.

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.