In 2024, Lowell, MA, exhibits a strong dependency on cars as the primary mode of transportation, with 100% of commuters using cars. The city's traffic data reveals significant CO2 emissions and inefficiencies, highlighting areas for potential improvement.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time for Lowell residents is 45 minutes, with a total distance of approximately 37.82 miles.
  • Car - Car commuters in Lowell spend an average of 45 minutes driving, covering a distance of about 37.82 miles.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
100%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the winter months due to adverse weather conditions. Summer sees a slight reduction in traffic as residents take vacations, reducing the number of commuters.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options force reliance on cars, leading to congestion. High CO2 emissions are a concern for environmentally conscious residents.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM are the best times to travel to avoid peak traffic. Late evenings after 7 PM also see reduced traffic congestion.

Event Impacts

Public events in downtown Lowell can significantly increase traffic congestion, especially during weekends. Festivals and parades often lead to road closures, necessitating alternative routes.

Sustainability Efforts

Lowell is exploring initiatives to expand bike lanes and promote cycling as a sustainable commuting option. Efforts are underway to improve public transport services to reduce car dependency.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have gained popularity, offering flexible commuting options and reducing the need for personal car ownership. These services help alleviate parking issues in densely populated areas.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for the United States combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United States, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Feb, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 2 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
23.5 miles
Driving Car
45.0 mins
Total:
45.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
23.5 miles
Driving Car
45.0 mins
Total:
45.0 mins
Lowell Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Lowell's heavy reliance on cars presents opportunities to explore alternative transportation methods to reduce emissions.

Improving public transport infrastructure could alleviate traffic inefficiencies and provide more commuting options.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Lowell's CO2 emission index is notably high at 11970, indicating a significant environmental impact.

The reliance on cars contributes heavily to the city's carbon footprint.

Time

The time index for Lowell is 45, reflecting the average commute duration.

Traffic delays are a common issue, contributing to longer travel times.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 206.51, suggesting room for improvement in traffic management.

High inefficiency levels are primarily due to car dependency and lack of alternative transport options.