How far is Sterling, MA from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance from Sterling, MA to Lowell, MA is about 32.9 miles (53 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.3 miles (42.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Lowell.
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1
Start on Meetinghouse Hill Road
88 m · 11 sec · Meetinghouse Hill Road
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2
Turn right onto Park Street
77 m · 11 sec · Park Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Main Street
587 ft · 20 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn slight left onto Leominster Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Leominster Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Leominster Road
37 m · 2 sec · Leominster Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Leominster Road
1485 ft · 28 sec · Leominster Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1555 ft · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left
4.4 mi · 5 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward MA 2 East: Boston
1093 ft · 27 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on MA 2 East: Boston
1853 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Leominster Connector
640 ft · 16 sec · Leominster Connector
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12
Merge slight left onto Concord Turnpike
11.1 mi · 15 min · Concord Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Lowell
2445 ft · 59 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
974 ft · 24 sec
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15
Merge slight left
10.2 mi · 12 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
1311 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · Chelmsford Street
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18
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
96 m · 13 sec · Cambridge Street
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19
Turn left onto Hale Street
148 m · 13 sec · Hale Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hale Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling 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.
Concord Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Concord Turnpike
11.1 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Sterling and Light Rain Likely near Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Lowell?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (53 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?
Littleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.9 miles from Sterling and 17 miles from Lowell.
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 6.6 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 7:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.51 one way or $9.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Sterling and Light Rain Likely near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Littleton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Lowell City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton.
Nashua, NH
Framingham station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 26.36 mi (42.43 km).
#1 Sterling
Town in Massachusetts
| Population | 8,166 |
| Coordinates | 42.4375900, -71.7606300 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 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 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $5.10 | $10.20 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $5.57 | $11.13 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $5.21 | $10.41 |
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.