How far is Needham, MA from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance from Needham, MA to Lowell, MA is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Needham and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Needham and Lowell.
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1
Start on Warren Street
61 m · 11 sec · Warren Street
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2
Turn right onto May Street
881 ft · 28 sec · May Street
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3
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North: Waltham
1992 ft · 49 sec
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5
Keep slight left
1412 ft · 35 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
13.7 mi · 19 min · Yankee Division Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 3 North: Lowell, Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, Nashua New Hampshire
868 ft · 21 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
1737 ft · 50 sec
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9
Continue on US 3 North: Lowell, Nashua New Hampshire
2168 ft · 35 sec
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10
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
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11
Keep slight left
2462 ft · 32 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MA 110, I 495 South: Chelmsford, Marlboro
2299 ft · 43 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
1368 ft · 21 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MA 110: Lowell, Chelmsford
842 ft · 24 sec
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15
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Chelmsford Street
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16
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
96 m · 15 sec · Cambridge Street
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17
Turn left onto Hale Street
148 m · 13 sec · Hale Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hale Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Needham and 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.
Yankee Division Highway
Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway
13.7 mi · 00h 19m
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 Needham and Partly Sunny near Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Needham to Lowell?
The road trip is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Needham and 15 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.08 one way or $8.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Needham and Partly Sunny near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Cocobeet - Boston
Boston's Old City Hall
Cambridge City Hall
Shoppers World
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
North Station
Back Bay station
South Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Needham and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 24.55 mi (39.51 km).
#1 Needham
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 31,537 |
| Coordinates | 42.2834300, -71.2328300 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lowell
The third most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 110,904 |
| Coordinates | 42.6334200, -71.3161700 |
| Altitude | 36 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hale Street (-71.316165, 42.633415)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $4.08 | $8.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $4.62 | $9.23 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.04 | $10.08 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $4.71 | $9.42 |
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.