Dover, NH to Bennington, NH is 73.1 miles and takes about 1h 52m via US 202 and I-89, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This northeastern drive keeps you within New Hampshire for its entirety, offering a relatively quick connection between two points. Given its short duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey. Expect a fuel cost of around $12, so you won't need to budget heavily for gas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Dover, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
22.1 mi
32m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
7.8 mi
9m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.8 mi
12m
Old Turnpike Road
5.1 mi
7m
I 393
4.9 mi
7m
Knox Marsh Road
3.2 mi
5m
Everett Turnpike
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 22.1 mi, about 32m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,385 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,924
Quietest
1 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 51 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 Dover, NH and Bennington, NH.
1
Start on this road
21 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto NH 9; NH 108
320 ft·18 sec·Main Street
3
Turn sharp left onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108
0.4 mi·57 sec·Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn right onto Hale Street
344 ft·18 sec·Hale Street
5
Turn left onto Locust Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Locust Street
6
Turn right onto NH 9
0.6 mi·1 min·Silver Street
7
Enter roundabout onto NH 9
215 ft·4 sec·Knox Marsh Road
8
Continue on NH 9
3.2 mi·5 min·Knox Marsh Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on NH 155
347 ft·7 sec·Manchester Road
10
Continue on NH 155
1.3 mi·2 min·Lee Road
11
Continue on NH 155
1.1 mi·2 min·Turtle Pond Road
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
13
Merge onto US 4
1.3 mi·1 min·Concord Road
14
Enter roundabout onto US 4
158 ft·4 sec·Concord Road
15
Continue on US 4
0.5 mi·55 sec·Concord Road
16
Continue on US 4
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Concord Turnpike
17
Continue on US 4
5.1 mi·7 min·Old Turnpike Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 4
7.8 mi·12 min·First New Hampshire Turnpike
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
4.3 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
265 ft·6 sec·Dover Road
21
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.9 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 393; US 4; US 202
4.6 mi·6 min·I 393; US 4; US 202
23
Continue on I 393; US 202
0.2 mi·24 sec·I 393; US 202
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
25
Merge onto I 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
26
Continue on I 93
2.5 mi·3 min·Everett Turnpike
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction VermontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 89
7.8 mi·9 min·I 89
29
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
30
Continue on US 202; NH 9
14 mi·18 min·US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit onto US 202
8.4 mi·13 min·US 202
Toward US 202 West: Peterborough
32
Turn left onto Antrim Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Antrim Road
33
Arrive at destination
Antrim Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 73.1-mile drive that takes under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive at your destination with plenty of the day left for activities. There are no specific stops noted on this route, so plan any necessary breaks in advance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and while it's a short trip, it's always wise to know where the next service station is, particularly on US 202 before merging onto I-89.
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 36.6 miles from Dover, NH, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.1 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 1h 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennington, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dover, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dover, NH
This is one driving day of about 73.1 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Dover, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 202 for about 22.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 49.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street
Turn sharp left onto NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue
Turn sharp left onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
37.7 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
7
41.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
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 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junctio...
6
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.68
$3.51
Efficient EV
18.3
0
$6.40
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Dover, NH
Afternoon
in Dover on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
E 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bennington, NH
Afternoon
in Bennington on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
0 mph5% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 52m 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 trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 71% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll encounter stretches like US 202, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 22.1 miles. While the interstate offers efficiency, be prepared for the shift in road type as you transition between different segments. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the highway share ensuring a consistent pace for most of the 1 hour and 52-minute drive.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.1 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and Dover Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 (NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
659 ft66 ft
Total Climb
1,153 ft
Total Descent
559 ft
Highest Point
659 ft
~73.1 mi in
Elevation Range
593 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dover, NH and Bennington, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont and Keene.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 73.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.1 miles on US 202. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.20 in tolls one way, starting with First New Hampshire 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 Bennington, 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: near the start (NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bennington, NH before heading back.
