Interstate 495: Marlborough to Amesbury – Massachusetts

Travel with us as we head north along Interstate 495, spanning nearly 55 miles of eastern Massachusetts from bustling Marlborough all the way up to the New Hampshire state line near Amesbury. This stretch of I-495 acts as a major outer loop for the Greater Boston region, pulling you through a diverse blend of suburban hubs, historic mill towns, and tranquil pockets of New England scenery along the way.

Our journey kicks off in northwest Marlborough, where Interstate 290 hands off traffic to I-495’s wide lanes at its eastern end. Almost immediately, you’ll notice how quickly the landscape shifts from commercial clusters to leafy stretches of highway. We press northeast, skirting by Littleton and its interchange with MA-2, a popular cross-state route that connects central Massachusetts with Boston’s western suburbs. Near Littleton Common, keep an eye out for glimpses of conservation land and small ponds that dot this corner of Middlesex County.

Pushing further north, I-495 slips past Chelmsford and delivers us to Lowell — one of Massachusetts’ most storied cities. Here, the highway cuts through the city’s south side, offering a quick bypass for travelers aiming to avoid local traffic while still keeping the historic textile mills and the Merrimack River just a few blocks away. At Lowell, we also hit the crucial junction with U.S. Highway 3, which funnels commuters toward Boston or New Hampshire’s Nashua area, depending on which direction you choose.

Beyond Lowell, the drive keeps its northeastern bearing as we head into the Merrimack Valley’s heart. We cross into Lawrence — a city with deep industrial roots and a revitalized downtown. Here, we navigate interchanges with MA-28 and MA-213 before the wide bridge carries us over the Merrimack River once more. From there, I-495 escorts us past Haverhill, where you might spot the spires and mill chimneys that define the old city skyline. This stretch near MA-125 is also a popular jumping-off point for side trips into charming town centers and riverfront parks.

As we leave the urban bustle behind, the final leg takes us through Merrimac’s peaceful neighborhoods and then into Amesbury — a town that mixes colonial history with a laid-back vibe. Just before we cross into New Hampshire, I-495 reaches its northern end at Interstate 95. From here, you can keep the adventure going north toward Portsmouth and coastal Maine, or swing back south on I-95 into Boston’s inner suburbs.

This segment of I-495 shows just how much variety a Massachusetts highway can pack into an hour’s drive — from commuter arteries to classic mill towns and quiet woodland buffers in between. Whether you’re heading to New Hampshire beaches or circling around Boston’s traffic, this outer beltway remains one of New England’s essential links.