How far is Lowell, MA from Swampscott, MA?

The driving distance from Lowell, MA to Swampscott, MA is about 31.7 miles (51 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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
31.7 mi
00h 47m
Flight
23.19 mi
37.32 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
23.19 mi
Kilometers
37.32 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.7 mi
Kilometers
51.02 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Swampscott
Thu, Apr 23, 1:59 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Thu, Apr 23, 2:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-04-23T01:12
Arrive Swampscott
Thu, Apr 23, 1:59 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:54 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
Burlington
MA

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

From Lowell
15.8 mi
00h 23m
To Swampscott
15.8 mi
00h 23m

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
57°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Yankee Division Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 28 South: Stoneham

    2200 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    607 ft · 20 sec · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn sharp left onto North Street

    1464 ft · 29 sec · North Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Prospect Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Prospect Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Avenue

    2013 ft · 45 sec · North Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Water Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · West Water Street

  18. 18

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

    1904 ft · 34 sec · Walnut Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Walnut Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Walnut Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Kirtland Street

    1277 ft · 39 sec · Kirtland Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Marion Street

    111 m · 8 sec · Marion Street

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Federal Street

    43 m · 3 sec · Federal Street

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Federal Street

    1061 ft · 28 sec · Federal Street

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Market Square

    80 m · 4 sec · Market Square

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto Market Square

    838 ft · 14 sec · Market Square

  26. 26

    Continue on South Common Street

    2984 ft · 55 sec · South Common Street

  27. 27

    Turn slight right onto Market Street

    2278 ft · 57 sec · Market Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Lynnway

    2617 ft · 38 sec · Lynnway

  29. 29

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Nahant Circle

    673 ft · 9 sec · Lynn Shore Drive

  30. 30

    Exit the rotary onto Lynn Shore Drive

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Lynn Shore Drive

  31. 31

    Continue on Humphrey Street

    904 ft · 19 sec · Humphrey Street

  32. 32

    Turn left onto Monument Avenue

    127 m · 13 sec · Monument Avenue

  33. 33

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Elmwood Road

    54 m · 6 sec · Elmwood Road

  34. 34

    Exit the roundabout onto Elmwood Road

    126 m · 20 sec · Elmwood Road

  35. 35

    Turn right onto Hardy Road

    128 m · 19 sec · Hardy Road

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hardy Road

Car Route Details

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

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
36 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
3 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
113.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lowell Connector
11.3 mi · 36%
Yankee Division Highway
5.57 mi · 18%
Walnut Street
3.39 mi · 11%
West Water Street
2.95 mi · 9%
I 95 North
1.33 mi · 4%
Lynn Shore Drive
1.18 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Lowell Connector

Merge slight left

9.15 mi · 00h 11m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
23.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burlington
00h 23m from Lowell
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lowell and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Swampscott.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 31.7 miles (51 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Burlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.8 miles from Lowell and 15.8 miles from Swampscott.

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

The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:54 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 Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Swampscott.

Stop Ideas Near Burlington

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 Burlington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 11.1 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 11.2 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 14.3 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 11.1 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 Burlington.

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

5 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

19 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Back Bay station

20 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

21 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Swampscott. Straight-line distance: 23.19 mi (37.32 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

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

#2 Swampscott

Town in Massachusetts

Population15,462
Coordinates42.4709300, -70.9175500
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Start: Lowell (-71.31617, 42.63342)
End: Swampscott (-70.91755, 42.47093)

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
4.23 L · about $4.36
Round trip
$8.71
2.24 gal · 8.46 L
Estimated CO2
10 kg one way
Round trip: 19.9 kg / 44 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 Swampscott. The current time is 01:12:04.

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.