Lowell, MA → Portland, ME

88 mi · 1h 46m (driving)

✓

Current Risk

Low Risk

Clear conditions along your route

Good to go now

Leave anytime today

Based on weather forecast

Add traffic to your estimate
☁️

Lowell

55°

🌧️

Portland

56°

GOING
Tue, Sep 29

Trip Briefing

1 segment · 88 mi · 1h 46m

Weather

☁️ Overcast

55°F, wind 8 mph

Rest Stops

13

Restrooms, Truck svc, Picnic

Cameras

12 live

Clear driving conditions expected

Rest stops in this segment:

  • ● Rest Area 🪑
  • ● Rest Area 🚻
  • ● Salem Rest Area and Welcome Center 🚻

Normal Traffic

No traffic incidents reported

Loading map...

Traffic Cameras

See recent road conditions along your route

Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.

View all cameras

Your Route

Via I-93 North → I-495 North → ... → I-295 North → US-1A

MA 113I-93 NorthMA 213I-495 NorthI-95 +3 more

Cameras shown are along this computed route

Need a custom route?
I-95
12 cameras
95 SN, MM 1.0
1

95 SN, MM 1.0

NH · NB

95N MM 4.0 CCTV
2

95N MM 4.0 CCTV

NH · NB

95 SN, MM 5.6
3

95 SN, MM 5.6

NH · NB

95 SS, MM 10.0
4

95 SS, MM 10.0

NH · NB

95 N, MM 13.4
5

95 N, MM 13.4

ME · NB

95 NN 13.4 CCTV AX T
6

95 NN 13.4 CCTV AX T

ME · NB

95 SN MM 15.2
7

95 SN MM 15.2

ME · NB

95 NS 15.2
8

95 NS 15.2

ME · NB

95 NS 15.2
9

95 NS 15.2

ME · NB

95 SN MM 15.2
10

95 SN MM 15.2

ME · NB

95 High Level BRG NE
11

95 High Level BRG NE

ME · NB

95 SS 2.4 CCTV MTA
12

95 SS 2.4 CCTV MTA

ME · NB

Rest Stops Along Your Route

13 stops available

Swipe to see more

Rest Area

Near start

Open
Picnic

Rest Area

Near start

Open
Restrooms

Salem Rest Area and Welcome Center

11% along route

Open
Restrooms

I-495 Rest Area

22% along route

Open
Restrooms

I-495 Rest Area

26% along route

Open
Restrooms

I 95 SB Salisbury Rest Area

SB • 35% along route

Open
Restrooms

Seabrook Rest Area

35% along route

Open
Restrooms

Hampton Liquor and Wine Outlet Northbound

NB • 38% along route

Open
Restrooms

TA

0211 • 46% along route

Open
Restrooms
Fuel
Food

Rest Area

51% along route

Open
Restrooms
Fuel
Food

Rest Area

54% along route

Open
Restrooms

Kennebunk Service Plaza

75% along route

Open
Restrooms

Kennebunk Service Plaza

75% along route

Open
Restrooms
🔔

Get Weather Alerts for This Route

We'll notify you when conditions change before your trip. Never drive into a surprise storm again.

⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route

Premium users received alerts for these conditions:

  • 🌧️
    Sep 27: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
  • ❄️
    Sep 25: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
  • 🌫️
    Sep 22: Dense fog warning for morning travel

Don't miss the next alert →

Driving from Lowell, MA to Portland, ME covers 88 miles in roughly 1h 46m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras and 13 rest areas along this corridor so you can plan around them. A trip this short usually fits in a single morning or afternoon — check the live conditions just before you head out.

7-Day Driving Outlook

Today

Sep 29

☁️→🌧️

68° / 55°

No precip

Safe

Tomorrow

Sep 30

☁️→☁️

71° / 57°

No precip

Safe

Thu

Oct 1

☁️→☁️

78° / 59°

No precip

Safe

Fri

Oct 2

🌧️→☁️

82° / 68°

No precip

Caution

Sat

Oct 3

🌧️→☁️

68° / 56°

No precip

Caution

Sun

Oct 4

🌤️→🌧️

66° / 49°

No precip

Caution

Mon

Oct 5

⛅→☁️

64° / 50°

No precip

Safe

🗓️ Weekend Outlook

Saturday

Good to Go

🌧️ Moderate rain at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination

Sunday

Good to Go

🌤️ Mainly clear at origin, 🌧️ Moderate rain at destination

Plan This Route

Get hour-by-hour weather forecasts, real-time traffic, and find the optimal departure time.

🚗 Live traffic included

See if current slowdowns affect your drive time

Open in Planner

Free • No sign-up required

Current Conditions

Lowell, MA

☁️

55°F

Wind: 8 mph

Portland, ME

🌧️

56°F

Wind: 9 mph

Weather data updated in real-time

Driving from Lowell, MA to Portland, ME

The 88-mile drive from Lowell, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine takes approximately 1h 46m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially along coastal regions where fog and marine weather can impact visibility. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.

This short route crosses state lines from Massachusetts into Maine, connecting Lowell and Portland. At under 100 miles, it's a manageable day trip, but weather conditions can still change between your origin and destination — especially across elevation changes or near large bodies of water.

Common Weather Hazards on This Route

  • Winter storms and heavy snowfall (November through April)
  • Black ice on mountain passes and bridges

Seasonal Driving Considerations

Coastal weather on this route can shift quickly. Marine fog is common during morning hours, especially in spring and fall, reducing visibility to near zero. Hurricane season (June through November) can bring extended road closures and dangerous conditions. During fair weather, coastal routes offer scenic driving — but always verify conditions with live traffic cameras before heading out.

Best Time to Drive Lowell to Portland

For shorter trips like this 88-mile drive, morning departures typically offer the best conditions with lighter traffic and better visibility. Avoid rush hour periods (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) if possible.

Driving Strategy

At 88 miles, the Lowell to Portland drive is short enough to complete in a single stretch. Still, check conditions along the route before you leave — a quick glance at live traffic cameras can confirm road visibility and surface conditions. If bad weather is forecasted for a narrow window, adjusting your departure by even an hour can make a significant difference in safety.

Pro Tip

Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the drive from Lowell to Portland?

The drive is approximately 88 miles and takes about 1h 46m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.

What's the best day to drive this route?

Based on current forecasts, Tomorrow (Sep 30) looks ideal. Low chance of precipitation with manageable conditions

Is it safe to drive from Lowell to Portland today?

Current conditions show low risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.

Are there rest areas on the Lowell to Portland route?

Yes, there are 13 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.

Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?

Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.

What highways does this route use?

This route primarily uses I-95 (Blue Star Turnpike). Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.

Are there any road closures on this route right now?

No significant incidents or road closures are currently reported along this route. Conditions can change quickly — this page updates automatically with the latest data from state DOT 511 systems.

Don't Drive Blind Into Weather

Route Outlook shows you conditions at every point along your route—at the exact time you'll be there.

Open Planner