Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
54.3 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alstead, NH
Mohan Nannapaneni
Concord, NH
Wikimedia Commons
This 54.3-mile drive from Alstead, NH to Concord, NH is a straightforward, manageable trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The journey utilizes a mix of main roads, including Franklin Pierce Highway, Route 123 North, and a portion of I-89. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $9, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region. The route offers a mixed driving profile, suggesting a varied experience rather than a monotonous stretch. You'll be traveling within New Hampshire for the entire duration of this trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
27.1 miles from Alstead, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Pierce Highway | 16.3 mi | 22m |
| Route 123 North | 7.4 mi | 14m |
| I 89 | 6 mi | 6m |
| Keene Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| NH Route 123 | 4.8 mi | 12m |
| Forest Road | 4.7 mi | 11m |
| Route 9 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Alstead, NH and Concord, NH.
Start on NH 12A; NH 123
Continue on NH 12A; NH 123
Continue on NH 123
At end of road, turn right onto NH 10; NH 123
Continue on NH 10; NH 123
Turn left onto NH 123
Turn slight left onto NH 123
Continue on NH 123
At end of road, turn left onto NH 9
Continue on NH 9
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
Turn straight onto NH 9
Merge onto I 89
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto NH 13
Turn left onto NH 13
Turn right onto US 202; NH 9
Turn left onto North State Street
Turn right onto Centre Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes for this 54.3-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day in Concord or departing later in the afternoon for a more relaxed arrival. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $9, so refueling isn't a major concern. Keep an eye out for transitions between Franklin Pierce Highway and Route 123 North, as these shifts can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and road conditions.
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.
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 12 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.1 miles or 53m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, NH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Alstead, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alstead, NH
This is one driving day of about 54.3 miles and 1h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Alstead, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.1 and 54.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward NH 13: Concord
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto NH 13 / Clinton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 202; NH 9 / Pleasant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Centre Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.74 one way
$17.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $9.62 | $19.24 |
| premium | $4.86 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.61 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Alstead on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
Your National Park for the Arts preserves the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Here stories flow through a landscape of inspiration. Discover the history behind the capt...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive presents a mixed driving profile, with about 40% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches on Franklin Pierce Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 16.3 miles, offering a more direct path. The route transitions between these primary roads and sections of Route 123 North, likely providing a varied feel as you progress towards Concord. Expect a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially more local road navigation.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.1 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 51.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.4 miles (NH 13 / Clinton Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,230 ft
Total Descent
1,438 ft
Highest Point
1,568 ft
~15.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,297 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 54.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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