Colebrook to Derry is 165.5 miles and takes about 3h 39m via Styles Bridges Highway and Daniel Webster Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region down towards its southern part. Given that it's mostly surface roads, expect a more connected-to-the-landscape drive rather than a high-speed dash. It's a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking for a manageable drive through 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
82.8 miles from Colebrook, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
51.3 mi
55m
Daniel Webster Highway
28.4 mi
42m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Everett Turnpike
10.9 mi
13m
Main Street
9.1 mi
15m
US 3
8.2 mi
13m
I 93
7.7 mi
9m
Prospect Street
6.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 51.3 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,986 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,567
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colebrook, NH and Derry, NH.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
148 ft·10 sec·Pleasant Street
2
Turn left onto US 3; NH 26
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 3
1.6 mi·2 min·US Route 3
4
Continue on US 3
8.1 mi·12 min·Daniel Webster Highway
5
Continue on US 3
3.3 mi·4 min·US Route 3
6
Continue on US 3
12 mi·18 min·Daniel Webster Highway
7
Continue on US 3
0.3 mi·27 sec·State Street
8
Continue on Church Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Church Street
9
Continue on US 3
2.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
10
Continue on US 3
1.2 mi·1 min·Lancaster Road
11
Continue on US 3
5.2 mi·8 min·Main Street
12
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 3
168 ft·4 sec·Main Street
13
Continue on US 2; US 3
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
14
Turn slight right onto US 3
6.3 mi·9 min·Prospect Street
15
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·3 min·Lancaster Road
16
Continue on US 3; NH 116
467 ft·10 sec·Daniel Webster Highway
17
Continue on US 3
2.3 mi·4 min·Twin Mountain Road
18
Continue on US 3
6.1 mi·8 min·US Route 3 North
19
Continue on US Route 3 South
459 ft·14 sec·US Route 3 South
20
Turn slight right onto US 3
1.9 mi·3 min·US Route 3 South
21
Continue on US 3
7.8 mi·11 min·Daniel Webster Highway
22
Take the ramp onto US 3
8.2 mi·13 min·US 3
23
Continue on I 93
51 mi·54 min·Styles Bridges Highway
24
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
25
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
26
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
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.
30
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
31
Continue on I 93
2.1 mi·2 min·Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
33
Keep slight left at fork
131 ft·5 sec
34
Turn left onto NH 102
0.6 mi·1 min·Nashua Road
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on NH 102
0.6 mi·1 min·West Broadway
36
Turn left
105 ft·9 sec
37
Turn right
78 ft·5 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Consider departing in the morning to make the most of daylight for the 165.5-mile drive. With a duration of under 4 hours, you likely won't need a major stop, but there's one designated stop for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Derry, budgeting around $28 for gas. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; if you encounter delays or want to linger, you can adjust your schedule easily. The route's primary roads are Styles Bridges Highway and Daniel Webster Highway, so familiarize yourself with those.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.8 miles from Colebrook, NH, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.3 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 36 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Derry, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colebrook, 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 Colebrook, NH
This is one driving day of about 165.5 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Colebrook, 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 Styles Bridges Highway for about 51.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 163.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 3; NH 26 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 3; NH 26 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
146.6 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
148.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
163.8 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.94 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$29.16
$58.33
premium
$4.81
$31.35
$62.71
diesel
$4.80
$31.25
$62.50
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
$26
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.38
$7.94
Efficient EV
41.4
0
$14.48
$6.62
EV Truck/SUV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Colebrook, NH
Night
in Colebrook on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Derry, NH
Night
in Derry on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
3h 39m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 165.5-mile drive is mostly surface roads, with only 24% of it on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of highway driving for 51.3 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. After this, expect to transition to surface roads, which often means more opportunities to notice local surroundings due to a lower average speed. The prevalence of surface roads suggests you'll be passing through towns and varied landscapes.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.3 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 3; NH 26 / Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 165.5 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: near the start (US 3; NH 26 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 146.6 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.6 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,390 ft280 ft
Total Climb
671 ft
Total Descent
1,421 ft
Highest Point
1,390 ft
~59.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,110 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Colebrook, NH to Derry, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Colebrook is a town of 2,300 people (2010) in the Great North Region of New Hampshire. Colebrook is the hub of northern Coos County, and is the largest town (by population) north of the county seat of Lancaster.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 165.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.3 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Derry, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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: near the start (US 3; NH 26 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 146.6 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.6 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Derry, NH, but most travelers stay overnight.
