Traveling from Charlestown to Portsmouth covers 123.1 miles of New Hampshire landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 41 minutes. This highway-focused trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should be sufficient to get you from the western side of the state to the coast. You will primarily utilize NH 11, NH 101, and State Route 11 to complete the journey. Since both points are located within the Northeast, the trip provides a straightforward transition between these two distinct areas of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Charlestown, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NH 11
32.3 mi
37m
NH 101
30.5 mi
35m
State Route 11
9.4 mi
14m
Blue Star Turnpike
8.9 mi
10m
Everett Turnpike
7.6 mi
8m
Claremont Road
7.4 mi
11m
I 93
5.7 mi
6m
John Stark Highway
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NH 11
— 32.3 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown, NH and Portsmouth, NH.
1
Start on Sullivan Street
90 ft·2 sec·Sullivan Street
2
Continue on Sullivan Street
143 ft·7 sec·Sullivan Street
3
Turn right onto NH 12
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Main Street
4
Continue on NH 12
7.4 mi·11 min·Claremont Road
5
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
2.1 mi·3 min·Charlestown Road
6
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
0.8 mi·1 min·West Pleasant Street
7
Turn right onto Glidden Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Glidden Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto Broad Street
517 ft·13 sec·Broad Street
9
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 11; NH 103
0.2 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
10
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi·2 min·Washington Street
11
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi·2 min·State Route 11
12
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
4.6 mi·5 min·John Stark Highway
13
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
0.2 mi·14 sec·Elm Street
14
Continue on Maple Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Maple Street
15
Turn left onto Cross Street
472 ft·21 sec·Cross Street
16
Turn right onto Canal Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Canal Street
17
Turn right onto NH 11; NH 103
2.8 mi·6 min·Sunapee Street
18
Turn straight onto NH 11
2.5 mi·4 min·State Route 11
19
Continue on NH 11
0.4 mi·59 sec·Route 11
20
Continue on NH 11
4.7 mi·7 min·State Route 11
21
Take the exit onto NH 11
32 mi·37 min·NH 11
22
Continue on I 89
2.6 mi·3 min·I 89
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
24
Merge onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·Everett Turnpike
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
28
Merge onto NH 101
31 mi·35 min·NH 101
29
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Toward I 95: Portsmouth, BostonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
31
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·44 sec·this road
32
Merge onto I 95
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
1.9 mi·2 min·Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine PointsUse the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 7Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Market Street
Use the right lane.
36
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
52 ft·1 sec·Congress Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 1
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best to avoid peak traffic hours. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the drive spans nearly three hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial segments, as the $20 estimate is based on standard consumption patterns for this 123.1-mile distance. Given that the longest stretch of 32.3 miles occurs on NH 11, try to time your breaks either just before or immediately after that section to maximize your momentum. Staying aware of the transition between NH 11 and NH 101 will help ensure you stay on course throughout the journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.5 miles from Charlestown, NH, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.3 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 27 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlestown, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlestown, NH
This is one driving day of about 123.1 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Charlestown, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on NH 11 for about 32.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.3 and 119.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
74.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
6
80 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
7
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
8
119.9 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.82 one way
$39.63 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$21.80
$43.61
premium
$4.86
$23.57
$47.15
diesel
$5.61
$27.18
$54.36
Estimated Tolls: $1.17
Blue Star Turnpike
(8.9 mi)$0.63
Everett Turnpike
(7.6 mi)$0.54
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.9
0
$12.93
$5.91
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.77
$4.92
EV Truck/SUV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Charlestown, NH
Night
in Charlestown on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, NH
Night
in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Webster, NH
62 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
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
2h 41m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$10
near mile 12.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by speed and efficiency, with highway travel accounting for 79% of your total time behind the wheel. The route features a mix of fast-paced transit and consistent cruising, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.3 miles on NH 11. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you should anticipate a steady, predictable pace rather than a series of tight, technical turns. As you navigate the transition between these major state roads, the character of the pavement remains reliable. You will spend the majority of your trip focused on the road ahead, enjoying a streamlined path across the region.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.3 mi on NH 11.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NH 11 and NH 101. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.3 miles in near I 93 / Everett Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 123.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,235 ft30 ft
Total Climb
1,054 ft
Total Descent
1,410 ft
Highest Point
1,235 ft
~30.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,205 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlestown, NH and Portsmouth, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Maine and Pease International Tradeport.
Boston
66 mi in|~1h 30m
Maine
112.1 mi in|~2h 25m
Pease International Tradeport
112.1 mi in|~2h 25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 123.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.3 miles on NH 11. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.17 in tolls one way, starting with Blue Star 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 Portsmouth, NH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 72.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, NH before heading back.
