How far is Melrose, MA from City of Lowell, MA?
The driving distance from Melrose, MA to City of Lowell, MA is about 25 miles (40.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18 miles (29 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m 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 34m.
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 Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melrose and City of Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melrose and City of Lowell.
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1
Start on Myrtle Street
56 m · 14 sec · Myrtle Street
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2
Turn left onto West Emerson Street
901 ft · 29 sec · West Emerson Street
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3
Turn right onto Tremont Street
1355 ft · 44 sec · Tremont Street
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4
Turn left onto Lynn Fells Parkway
1191 ft · 36 sec · Lynn Fells Parkway
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5
Turn right onto Perkins Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Perkins Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Franklin Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Franklin Street
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7
Turn right onto Pleasant Street
2097 ft · 40 sec · Pleasant Street
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8
Turn slight right onto William Street
1754 ft · 42 sec · William Street
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9
Turn right onto Main Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South, MA 128 South
1401 ft · 40 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Yankee Division Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
626 ft · 15 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
1377 ft · 34 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9.8 mi · 12 min
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15
Keep slight left
2462 ft · 32 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
2299 ft · 43 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
1368 ft · 21 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
842 ft · 24 sec
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19
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Chelmsford Street
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20
Turn sharp left onto Westford Street
140 m · 11 sec · Westford Street
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21
Turn right onto Grand Street
137 m · 24 sec · Grand Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Middlesex Street
117 m · 18 sec · Middlesex Street
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23
Turn sharp right onto Arch Street
5 m · 6 sec · Arch Street
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24
Turn left
529 ft · 39 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melrose and City of Lowell.
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.
US 3 North
Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
9.83 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Melrose and Rain Showers near City of Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melrose to City of Lowell?
The road trip is about 25 miles (40.2 km) and usually takes 00h 34m 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?
Burlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Melrose and 13 miles from City of Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18 miles (29 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 7:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.42 one way or $6.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Melrose and Rain Showers near City of Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Burlington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
City Hall Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burlington.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melrose and City of Lowell. Straight-line distance: 18.02 mi (29 km).
#1 Melrose
City in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States; suburb of Boston, Massachusetts
| Population | 27,790 |
| Coordinates | 42.4584300, -71.0661600 |
| Altitude | 18 |
| Country | United States |
#2 City of Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 109,945 |
| Coordinates | 42.6388700, -71.3217100 |
| Altitude | 33 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-71.321003, 42.638895)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $3.42 | $6.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $4.22 | $8.45 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $3.95 | $7.90 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.