How far is Swampscott, MA from Lawrence, MA?

The driving distance from Swampscott, MA to Lawrence, MA is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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
32.65 mi
00h 48m
Flight
20.55 mi
33.07 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Swampscott.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
20.55 mi
Kilometers
33.07 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.65 mi
Kilometers
52.55 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 2:06 AM EDT
Return by in Swampscott
Thu, Apr 23, 2:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Swampscott
2026-04-23T01:18
Arrive Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 2:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
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 Swampscott
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
Reading
MA

Town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

From Swampscott
12.8 mi
00h 24m
To Lawrence
19.8 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Hardy Road

    65 m · 10 sec · Hardy Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Monument Avenue

    114 m · 12 sec · Monument Avenue

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Monument Avenue

    22 m · 2 sec · Monument Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Monument Avenue

    136 m · 20 sec · Monument Avenue

  5. 5

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

    660 ft · 13 sec · Humphrey Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Lynn Shore Drive

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Lynn Shore Drive

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Nahant Circle

    26 m · 1 sec · Lynnway

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto Lynnway

    2608 ft · 37 sec · Lynnway

  9. 9

    Turn right

    134 m · 11 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Market Street

    1778 ft · 43 sec · Market Street

  11. 11

    Turn slight left onto North Common Street

    3280 ft · 58 sec · North Common Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Market Square

    640 ft · 11 sec · Market Square

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Federal Street

    33 m · 2 sec · Federal Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Federal Street

    1067 ft · 29 sec · Federal Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Marion Street

    41 m · 2 sec · Marion Street

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Marion Street

    116 m · 6 sec · Marion Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Kirtland Street

    1277 ft · 41 sec · Kirtland Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Walnut Street

    1606 ft · 37 sec · Walnut Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Walnut Street

    4.6 mi · 8 min · Walnut Street

  20. 20

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 South, MA 128 South: Waltham, Providence Rhode Island

    1579 ft · 44 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Yankee Division Highway

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Yankee Division Highway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 129: Wakefield Center, Wilmington

    1044 ft · 30 sec

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Reading-Wakefield Rotary

    16 m · 2 sec · Haverhill Street

  24. 24

    Exit the rotary onto Haverhill Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Haverhill Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Franklin Street

    2468 ft · 53 sec · Franklin Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Main Street

    8.8 mi · 14 min · Main Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Union Street

    2467 ft · 53 sec · Union Street

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on South Union Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Union Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Winthrop Avenue

    1401 ft · 36 sec · Winthrop Avenue

  30. 30

    Continue on Parker Street

    2490 ft · 56 sec · Parker Street

  31. 31

    Continue on Amesbury Street

    1825 ft · 41 sec · Amesbury Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Canal Street

    86 m · 6 sec · Canal Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Lawrence Street

    150 m · 19 sec · Lawrence Street

  34. 34

    Turn left onto Essex Street

    152 m · 12 sec · Essex Street

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Essex Street

Car Route Details

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

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
35 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
1 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
107 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
8.77 mi · 27%
Walnut Street
4.93 mi · 15%
Yankee Division Highway
2.72 mi · 8%
Haverhill Street
2.06 mi · 6%
Lynn Shore Drive
1.13 mi · 3%
South Union Street
0.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

8.77 mi · 00h 14m

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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.1 mi
20.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Reading
00h 24m from Swampscott
Leave By
4:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Reading is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.8 miles from Swampscott and 19.8 miles from Lawrence.

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

The direct path is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 $4.47 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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Swampscott and Partly Sunny near Lawrence.

Stop Ideas Near Reading

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 Reading and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cocobeet - Boston
Food stop 12.5 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 12.6 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 9.9 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 12.4 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 Reading.

RAIL

Anderson Regional Transportation Center

4 mi away
100 Atlantic Ave.
RAIL

North Station

18 mi away
100 Legends Way
RAIL

Back Bay station

20 mi away
145 Dartmouth St.
RAIL

South Station

20 mi away
2 South Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Swampscott and Lawrence. Straight-line distance: 20.55 mi (33.07 km).

Swampscott

#1 Swampscott

Town in Massachusetts

Population15,462
Coordinates42.4709300, -70.9175500
Altitude8
CountryUnited States
Lawrence

#2 Lawrence

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population80,007
Coordinates42.7070400, -71.1631100
Altitude14
CountryUnited States
Start: Hardy Road (-70.917588, 42.47088)
End: Essex Street (-71.163081, 42.707003)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
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.

One-way fuel
1.15 gal
4.36 L · about $4.47
Round trip
$8.95
2.3 gal · 8.72 L
Estimated CO2
10.2 kg one way
Round trip: 20.4 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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

There is no time difference between Swampscott and Lawrence. The current time is 01:18:11.

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.