Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
73.1 mi
118 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dover, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Bennington, NH
Matt Barnard
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Dover, NH and Bennington, NH.
Start on this road
Turn sharp left onto NH 9; NH 108
Turn sharp left onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108
Turn right onto Hale Street
Turn left onto Locust Street
Turn right onto NH 9
Enter roundabout onto NH 9
Continue on NH 9
Continue on NH 155
Continue on NH 155
Continue on NH 155
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 4
Enter roundabout onto US 4
Continue on US 4
Continue on US 4
Continue on US 4
Continue on US 4
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 393; US 4; US 202
Continue on I 393; US 202
Take the exit
Merge onto I 93
Continue on I 93
Take the exit
Merge onto I 89
Take the exit
Continue on US 202; NH 9
Take the exit onto US 202
Turn left onto Antrim Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Dover, 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.
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.
Turn sharp left onto NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Turn sharp left onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Regular Gas
$11.77 one way
$23.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.95 | $25.90 |
| premium | $4.86 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.14 | $32.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Dover on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Bennington on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lebanon
White River Junction Vermont
Keene
Weekend Trip
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.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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