How far is Worcester, MA from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance from Worcester, MA to Lowell, MA is about 42.3 miles (68 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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 42m.
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 Worcester County, Massachusetts
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Worcester and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Worcester and Lowell.
-
1
Start on Main Street
3267 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
2
Turn right onto Lincoln Square
47 m · 4 sec · Lincoln Square
-
3
Turn left onto Lincoln Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Street
2057 ft · 43 sec · Lincoln Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 290: Marlboro
1163 ft · 28 sec
-
6
Merge slight right
11.5 mi · 13 min
-
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 495 North: Lowell
1.1 km · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight left
22.8 mi · 26 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward MA 110: Chelmsford, Lowell
1311 ft · 34 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Chelmsford Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · Chelmsford Street
-
11
Turn right onto Cambridge Street
96 m · 15 sec · Cambridge Street
-
12
Turn left onto Hale Street
148 m · 13 sec · Hale Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hale Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Worcester and Lowell.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 495 North
Merge slight left
22.8 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers leaving Worcester 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 Worcester to Lowell?
The road trip is about 42.3 miles (68 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Bolton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.1 miles from Worcester and 22.1 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.7 miles (57.4 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 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain Showers around Worcester and Light Rain Likely near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Bolton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Internet Backbone Point
Leominster City Hall
Shoppers World
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bolton.
Framingham station
Union Station
Anderson Regional Transportation Center
Nashua, NH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Worcester and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 35.65 mi (57.37 km).
#1 Worcester
The second most populous city in Massachusetts.
| Population | 184,570 |
| Coordinates | 42.2625900, -71.8022900 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $5.80 | $11.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.40 | $6.55 | $13.10 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $7.15 | $14.30 |
| Diesel | $4.49 | $6.69 | $13.37 |
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.