Origin
Alton, NH
Late night in Alton on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alton, NH to Salem, NH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
61.8 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alton, NH
Barnabas Davoti
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
Trip Overview
This 61.8-mile drive from Alton, NH to Salem, NH takes approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll be spending about half your time on highways, with the rest on other well-maintained roads. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $10, which is quite budget-friendly. The route traverses within the Northeast region, staying within New Hampshire for its entirety. It offers a mixed driving experience, balancing quicker travel with more local road segments, and is easily manageable without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.9 miles from Alton, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NH 28 | 20 mi | 31m |
| Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| I 93 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Alan B Shepard Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Suncook Valley Highway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Pinewood Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| Hooksett Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
NH 28
— 20 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton, NH and Salem, NH.
1
Start on this road
336 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NH 11; NH 28A
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto NH 28
262 ft
·
7 sec
·
NH 28
4
Continue on NH 28
20 mi
·
31 min
·
NH 28
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto NH 28
189 ft
·
4 sec
·
Suncook Valley Highway
6
Continue on NH 28
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Suncook Valley Highway
7
Continue on NH 28
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Route 28
8
Continue on NH 28
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Pinewood Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 3; NH 28
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Allenstown Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 3; NH 28
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Hooksett Road
11
Turn slight right
253 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Hooksett Village
12
Turn straight onto College Park Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
College Park Drive
13
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
14
Turn right onto Riverside Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Riverside Street
15
Turn left onto NH 3A
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West River Road
16
Turn right onto Hackett Hill Road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Hackett Hill Road
17
Take the ramp
419 ft
·
10 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
19
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
Toward I 93 South
20
Merge onto I 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Everett Turnpike
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Alan B Shepard Highway
Toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
Use the slight left lane.
23
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
24
Continue on I 93
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 2
Toward Pelham, Salem
26
Keep slight left at fork
321 ft
·
9 sec
27
Turn left onto Pelham Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Pelham Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on Main Street
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
29
Turn right
113 ft
·
8 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 1.5 hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps in the late morning to avoid peak commuter times. There are no designated stops mentioned, so consider a brief fuel or rest break if needed, though the drive is short enough that it might not be necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $10, but it's always wise to top up before setting out. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transitions between NH 28, the Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway, and I-93, as these points will require focused navigation.
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 30.9 miles from Alton, NH, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20 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 14 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.9 miles or 49m 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 Salem, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alton, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alton, NH
This is one driving day of about 61.8 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Alton, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NH 28 for about 20 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.9 miles from Alton, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 58.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NH 11; NH 28A / Main Street
Turn right onto NH 11; NH 28A / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 3; NH 28 / Allenstown Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 3; NH 28 / Allenstown Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
35 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
42.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
58.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
$9.95 one way
$19.90 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $10.95 | $21.89 |
| premium | $4.86 | $11.83 | $23.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.64 | $27.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Everett Turnpike
(1 mi)
$0.07
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
$10
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 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 | 18.5 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.41 | $2.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Salem, NH
Late night in Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:23 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
5 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 34m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll experience a mixed drive on this route, with 48% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 20 miles on NH 28, providing a solid segment of consistent travel before you transition. The journey begins with some local road navigation before merging onto the Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway and eventually Interstate 93. Expect a blend of faster highway speeds and more varied road conditions as you make your way south. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20 mi on NH 28.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.1 miles in near NH 11; NH 28A / Main Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (NH 11; NH 28A / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles (US 3; NH 28 / Allenstown Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
719 ft
130 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
952 ft
Highest Point
719 ft
~4.4 mi in
Elevation Range
589 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alton, NH and Salem, NH, road signs point toward Hooksett Village and Boston.
Hooksett Village
31.6 mi in
|
~51m
Boston
35 mi in
|
~58m
|
via I 93
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 61.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20 miles on NH 28. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 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 0.1 miles (NH 11; NH 28A / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles (US 3; NH 28 / Allenstown Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 35 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.
How this page is built
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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