How far is Lowell, MA from Sterling, MA?
The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Sterling, MA is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m 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 44m.
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.
Town in Worcester 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 Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell and Sterling.
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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
-
10
Merge slight left
10.7 mi · 12 min
-
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 right to continue on Leominster Connector
2912 ft · 1 min · Leominster Connector
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14
Take the exit slight right
1010 ft · 25 sec
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15
Continue straight
944 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward MA 12: Sterling, Clinton
1075 ft · 30 sec
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Leominster Road
69 m · 4 sec · Leominster Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
2758 ft · 52 sec · Leominster Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leominster Road
24 m · 1 sec · Leominster Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Leominster Road
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22
Turn straight onto Main Street
627 ft · 27 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn sharp right onto Meetinghouse Hill Road
17 m · 2 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell and Sterling.
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.
Captain Isaac Davis Highway
Merge slight left onto Captain Isaac Davis Highway
10.9 mi · 00h 15m
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 Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lowell to Sterling?
The road trip is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?
Harvard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.2 miles from Lowell and 16.3 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.47 one way or $8.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lowell and Partly Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Harvard
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 Harvard.
Framingham station
Union Station
Nashua, NH
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 26.36 mi (42.43 km).
#1 Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 110,904 |
| Coordinates | 42.6334200, -71.3161700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 8,166 |
| Coordinates | 42.4375900, -71.7606300 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-71.76063, 42.43759)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $4.47 | $8.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $5.06 | $10.11 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.52 | $11.04 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $5.16 | $10.32 |
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.