Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
43m
Distance
30.6 mi
49 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Candia, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
If you are planning a quick excursion through New Hampshire, this 30.6-mile trek from Candia to Salem is a straightforward option. You can comfortably complete the journey in about 43 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of just $5, it is a highly economical way to navigate between these two points. The route primarily utilizes the Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway, NH 101, and the Alan B Shepard Highway to connect the two locations. Because the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to fit it into a busy schedule without needing to plan for significant downtime. It serves as a practical, efficient link within the Northeast corridor.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| NH 101 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Alan B Shepard Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Old Candia Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Alan B Shepard Jr Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Deerfield Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Pelham Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Candia, NH and Salem, NH.
Start on Old Deerfield Road
At end of road, turn left onto NH 43
Continue on NH 43
Turn straight onto NH 43
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NH 101
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
Continue on I 93
Continue on I 93
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Pelham Road
Continue on Main Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 27.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto NH 43 / Deerfield Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto NH 101
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward Pelham, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$4.93 one way
$9.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.42 | $10.84 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.86 | $11.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.76 | $13.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.68 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Morning in Candia on Tuesday
Local time
6:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Light Rain
Destination
Morning in Salem on Tuesday
Local time
6:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While 25% of your travel occurs on highways, the personality of the route is defined by its frequent transitions and local road segments. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway, which covers 10.8 miles. The experience behind the wheel shifts as you navigate these varied road types, requiring you to remain alert through the turns. It is a functional drive that trades high-speed highway consistency for the more complex demands of regional local roads.
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 0.3 miles in near NH 43 / Deerfield Road.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 30.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (NH 43 / Deerfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 3.7 miles (NH 101): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
430 ft
Total Descent
657 ft
Highest Point
474 ft
~2.2 mi in
Elevation Range
345 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Candia, NH and Salem, NH, road signs point toward Boston and Pelham.
Boston
Pelham
Salem is a city in New Hampshire.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 30.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Candia, NH or browse trips ending in Salem, NH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NH road trips.
