Spanning 66.9 miles, this drive from Alexandria to Merrimack takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day, leaving you plenty of time at your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of about $11, it is an economical choice for a regional transit. You will navigate through the heart of the Northeast, transitioning from the quieter atmosphere of Alexandria into the more developed areas around Merrimack. Since the entire route takes place within New Hampshire, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the journey. It is a practical, efficient connection that serves well for those looking to reach the southern part of the state without an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.4 miles from Alexandria, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Everett Turnpike
21.5 mi
27m
Styles Bridges Highway
15.7 mi
17m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Summer Street
4.4 mi
7m
Daniel Webster Highway
3.8 mi
8m
Bristol Hill Road
1.1 mi
2m
New Hampshire Highway 104
1.1 mi
2m
Plumer Hill Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Everett Turnpike
— 21.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, NH and Merrimack, NH.
1
Start on Town Pound Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Town Pound Road
2
Turn left onto Thissell Road
0.4 mi·51 sec·Thissell Road
3
Continue on Plumer Hill Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Plumer Hill Road
4
Continue on Bristol Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bristol Hill Road
5
Turn straight onto NH 3A
0.4 mi·1 min·Lake Street
6
Continue on Pleasant Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Pleasant Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NH 104
4.4 mi·7 min·Summer Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Continue on NH 104
1.1 mi·2 min·New Hampshire Highway 104
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 93 South: Tilton, ConcordUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 93
15 mi·16 min·Styles Bridges Highway
11
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
12
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
13
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293
8.2 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Toward I 293 South: Manchester, NashuaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Everett Turnpike
2.4 mi·3 min·Everett Turnpike
Toward Merrimack, Nashua
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Airport
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Merrimack
19
Turn right onto US 3
0.1 mi·13 sec·South River Road
20
Continue on US 3
3.8 mi·8 min·Daniel Webster Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn slight left onto Loop Road
83 ft·3 sec·Loop Road
22
Arrive at destination
Loop Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-haul fatigue. You likely will not need to plan for formal stops given the 1 hour and 31 minute duration, allowing for a direct arrival if you choose. Keep in mind that the Everett Turnpike serves as a primary artery, so traffic volume may vary depending on the time of day you choose to travel. Budget your $11 for fuel before you head out to ensure a smooth, worry-free drive. Because there are no mandatory stops required for this 66.9-mile distance, consider checking your vehicle’s fluid levels and tire pressure in Alexandria before you hit the road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.4 miles from Alexandria, NH, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.4 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merrimack, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alexandria, NH
This is one driving day of about 66.9 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Alexandria, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Everett Turnpike for about 21.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 62.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 South: Tilton, Concord
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 93 South: Tilton, Concord
6
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 293 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293 / Everett Turnpike toward I 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
6
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Everett Turnpike toward Merrimack, Nashua
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Merrimack, Nashua
5
62.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Merrimack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Merrimack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.77 one way
$21.54 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$11.85
$23.70
premium
$4.86
$12.81
$25.62
diesel
$5.61
$14.77
$29.54
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
Everett Turnpike
(8.2 mi)$0.57
Everett Turnpike
(2.4 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.1
0
$7.02
$3.21
Efficient EV
16.7
0
$5.85
$2.68
EV Truck/SUV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, NH
Night
in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 0 to 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Merrimack, NH
Night
in Merrimack on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 0 to 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
36°F
Northfield, NH
33 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing local roads with more substantial highway travel. You will spend roughly 34% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Everett Turnpike and the Styles Bridges Highway. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 21.5-mile stretch on the Everett Turnpike, which provides a steady rhythm before transitioning back to other road types. As you move along these corridors, you will notice the character of the pavement shift from rural settings to more heavily trafficked thoroughfares. Expect a blend of driving styles that requires you to stay alert as the road infrastructure changes from local highway segments to the busier turnpike lanes.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.5 mi on Everett Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (I 293 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alexandria, NH and Merrimack, NH, road signs point toward Concord, Nashua and Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 66.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.5 miles on Everett Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.50 in tolls one way, starting with Everett Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Merrimack, NH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NH can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (I 293 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Merrimack, NH before heading back.
