How far is Watertown, MA from Lawrence, MA?

The driving distance from Watertown, MA to Lawrence, MA is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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
36.63 mi
00h 46m
Flight
23.25 mi
37.41 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Watertown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.25 mi
Kilometers
37.41 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.63 mi
Kilometers
58.95 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:13 AM EDT
Return by in Watertown
Thu, Apr 23, 4:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Watertown
2026-04-23T02:26
Arrive Lawrence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:13 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Watertown
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 Watertown
14.5 mi
00h 23m
To Lawrence
22.1 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 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 Watertown and Lawrence.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Oliver Street

    131 m · 26 sec · Oliver Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Church Street

    1285 ft · 35 sec · Church Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Orchard Street

    47 m · 3 sec · Orchard Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Orchard Street

    3139 ft · 1 min · Orchard Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Waverley Avenue

    1141 ft · 41 sec · Waverley Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on White Street

    2541 ft · 1 min · White Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Trapelo Road

    1189 ft · 33 sec · Trapelo Road

  8. 8

    Turn sharp right onto Pleasant Street

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Pleasant Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Mystic Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Mystic Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Cambridge Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Cambridge Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Church Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Church Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Vernon Street

    37 m · 2 sec · Mount Vernon Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Mount Vernon Street

    895 ft · 21 sec · Mount Vernon Street

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto Washington Street

    2 mi · 5 min · Washington Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Montvale Avenue

    1987 ft · 43 sec · Montvale Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn sharp left onto I 93 North: Concord New Hampshire

    1438 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    13 mi · 15 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 North: Lawrence

    2420 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward MA 28 North: Lawrence

    1561 ft · 52 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Union Street

    1199 ft · 22 sec · Union Street

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on South Union Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Union Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Winthrop Avenue

    1401 ft · 36 sec · Winthrop Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Parker Street

    2490 ft · 56 sec · Parker Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Amesbury Street

    1825 ft · 41 sec · Amesbury Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Canal Street

    86 m · 6 sec · Canal Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Lawrence Street

    150 m · 19 sec · Lawrence Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Essex Street

    152 m · 12 sec · Essex Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Essex Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown 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
29 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
79.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 93 North
13.3 mi · 36%
Pleasant Street
2.83 mi · 8%
I 495 North
2.66 mi · 7%
Washington Street
1.96 mi · 5%
Mystic Street
1.57 mi · 4%
Church Street
1.19 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 93 North

Merge slight left

13 mi · 00h 15m

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 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.4 mi
23.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Reading
00h 23m from Watertown
Leave By
4:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Watertown 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 Watertown to Lawrence?

The road trip is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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 14.5 miles from Watertown and 22.1 miles from Lawrence.

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

The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 4:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.02 one way or $10.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Watertown 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 12.7 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 12.8 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 12.2 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 12.6 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 Watertown and Lawrence. Straight-line distance: 23.25 mi (37.41 km).

Watertown

#1 Watertown

City in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Population36,125
Coordinates42.3709300, -71.1828300
Altitude19
CountryUnited States
Lawrence

#2 Lawrence

The third most populous city in Massachusetts.

Population80,007
Coordinates42.7070400, -71.1631100
Altitude14
CountryUnited States
Start: Oliver Street (-71.182812, 42.370949)
End: Essex Street (-71.163081, 42.707003)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 59 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.29 gal
4.89 L · about $5.02
Round trip
$10.04
2.58 gal · 9.78 L
Estimated CO2
11.5 kg one way
Round trip: 22.9 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.02 $10.04
Mid-grade $4.40 $5.67 $11.34
Premium $4.80 $6.19 $12.38
Diesel $4.49 $5.79 $11.58

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 Watertown and Lawrence. The current time is 02:26:54.

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.