Traveling from Alexandria to Salem covers 78.2 miles across New Hampshire, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the trip. Since you remain within the Northeast region for the duration of the drive, the transition between these two points is consistent in terms of climate and overall atmosphere. This route is a practical option if you are looking to get from the Lakes Region area down toward the Massachusetts border efficiently. It functions well as a direct commute or a quick getaway without the need for extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Alexandria, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
15.7 mi
17m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Everett Turnpike
10.9 mi
13m
Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
10.8 mi
12m
I 93
7.7 mi
9m
Summer Street
4.4 mi
7m
Alan B Shepard Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Main Street
2.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 15.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, NH and Salem, 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 right at fork onto I 93
7.7 mi·9 min·I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
4.4 mi·5 min·Alan B Shepard Highway
Toward I 93 South: Derry, BostonUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
18
Continue on I 93
11 mi·12 min·Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 2Toward Pelham, Salem
20
Keep slight left at fork
321 ft·9 sec
21
Turn left onto Pelham Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pelham Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on Main Street
2.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
23
Turn right
113 ft·8 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a drive of under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is manageable without a mid-trip break, though keeping your tank topped off before leaving Alexandria will easily cover the $13 fuel requirement for the entire trip. Pay close attention to the transition between local roads and the Everett Turnpike, as the change in traffic volume can be abrupt. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is mounted clearly so you can navigate the frequent directional changes without distraction. Utilizing the full 78.2-mile stretch in one go is the most efficient way to reach Salem, so consider timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours.
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 39.1 miles from Alexandria, NH, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.7 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 78.2 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Alexandria, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 15.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 75.2 — 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 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
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 93 South: Salem, Boston
8
59 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
6
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Pelham, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward Pelham, Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.59 one way
$25.18 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$13.85
$27.70
premium
$4.86
$14.97
$29.95
diesel
$5.61
$17.27
$34.53
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.21
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.84
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.95
$5.00
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, NH
Morning
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, NH
Morning
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulled by a monotonous interstate slog. With only 25% of your travel spent on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads like the Styles Bridges Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is a 15.7-mile segment on the Styles Bridges Highway, which requires you to stay alert through changing speed limits and intersections. The route relies heavily on the Senator Styles Bridges Highway and the Everett Turnpike to bridge the distance. Because this is not a high-speed interstate haul, you should anticipate a more deliberate pace as you move through the New Hampshire landscape.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.7 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 78.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 93): 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 Salem, NH, road signs point toward Concord and Boston.
Concord
9.1 mi in|~18m
Boston
51.3 mi in|~1h 6m|via I 93
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 78.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.7 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 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 Salem, 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 93): 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 Salem, NH before heading back.
