How far is Lowell, MA from Shirley, MA?
The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Shirley, MA is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lowell and Shirley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Shirley.
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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
9.4 mi · 11 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2A, MA 110: Littleton, Ayer
1384 ft · 51 sec
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto King Street
1.3 km · 1 min · King Street
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13
Continue on Ayer Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Ayer Road
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14
Continue on Littleton Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Littleton Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street
69 m · 4 sec · East Main Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
2.8 mi · 7 min · East Main Street
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17
Continue on Front Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Front Street
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18
Turn left onto Washington Street
95 m · 16 sec · Washington Street
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19
Turn right onto Chapel Street
46 m · 7 sec · Chapel Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chapel Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell and Shirley.
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.
I 495 South
Merge slight left
9.44 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lowell and Partly Sunny near Shirley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Shirley?
The road trip is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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?
Littleton Common is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.7 miles from Lowell and 10.7 miles from Shirley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.92 one way or $5.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lowell and Partly Sunny near Shirley.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton Common
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton Common.
Nashua, NH
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Framingham station
Back Bay station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Shirley. Straight-line distance: 18.06 mi (29.06 km).
#1 Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 110,904 |
| Coordinates | 42.6334200, -71.3161700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shirley
Town in Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 7,554 |
| Coordinates | 42.5437000, -71.6495100 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shirley (-71.64951, 42.5437)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $2.92 | $5.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $3.30 | $6.60 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $3.37 | $6.73 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.