Dover, NH to Charlestown, NH is 107.7 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 89, NH 11, and Dover Road, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day of travel. You'll likely appreciate the relatively short duration and clear route, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points.
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
53.8 miles from Dover, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
34.5 mi
40m
NH 11
10.8 mi
20m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.8 mi
12m
Claremont Road
7.4 mi
11m
Old Turnpike Road
5.1 mi
7m
I 393
4.9 mi
7m
John Stark Highway
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 34.5 mi, about 40m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,701 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,201
Quietest
1 AM
~64 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
26.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 93 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 Charlestown, 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
34 mi·40 min·I 89
29
Take the exit onto NH 11
0.2 mi·31 sec·NH 11
Exit 12Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
30
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11
154 ft·11 sec·NH 11
Exit 12Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
31
Continue on NH 11
10 mi·20 min·NH 11
32
Turn left onto Cross Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Cross Street
33
At end of road, turn right onto Maple Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·Maple Street
34
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
0.2 mi·12 sec·Elm Street
35
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
4.6 mi·5 min·John Stark Highway
36
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi·2 min·State Route 11
37
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi·2 min·Washington Street
38
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
0.1 mi·9 sec·Broad Street
39
Turn right onto NH 11; NH 103
463 ft·6 sec·Tremont Street
40
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11
58 ft·6 sec·Opera House Square
41
Turn left onto NH 11; NH 12
1.0 mi·1 min·Pleasant Street
42
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
2.1 mi·3 min·Charlestown Road
43
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
7.4 mi·11 min·Claremont Road
44
Continue on NH 12
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
45
Turn left onto Sullivan Street
143 ft·6 sec·Sullivan Street
46
Continue on Sullivan Street
90 ft·2 sec·Sullivan Street
47
Arrive at destination
Sullivan Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 38m estimated drive time and 107.7 miles, leaving Dover, NH in the morning should allow ample time to reach Charlestown, NH well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $17, you can plan for minimal interruptions. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 34.5 miles on I 89, so consider your fuel and restroom needs before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an earlier start will provide more buffer for any unexpected delays.
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 53.8 miles from Dover, NH, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.5 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 24 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.8 miles or 1h 22m 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 Charlestown, 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.
+
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 Dover, NH
This is one driving day of about 107.7 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Dover, 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 I 89 for about 34.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 76.4 — 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...
8
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|NH 11
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11 toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.80 one way
$37.59 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$20.92
$41.84
premium
$5.30
$22.48
$44.95
diesel
$6.18
$26.20
$52.40
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
First New Hampshire Turnpike
(7.8 mi)$0.54
Old Turnpike Road
(5.1 mi)$0.35
Everett Turnpike
(2.5 mi)$0.18
Old Concord Turnpike
(1.8 mi)$0.13
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
Efficient EV
26.9
0
$9.42
$4.31
EV Truck/SUV
43.1
0
$15.08
$6.89
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Dover, NH
Morning
in Dover on Monday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Charlestown, NH
Morning
in Charlestown on Monday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
S 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Concord, NH
54 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 38m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 65% of this 107.7-mile drive is on highways like I 89. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 34.5 miles on I 89 before transitioning to NH 11 and then Dover Road. Expect highway cruising for a significant portion, with exits becoming less frequent as you move onto the state roads. This suggests a transition from more developed highway corridors to potentially more rural or local road conditions.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.5 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and NH 11. 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 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 25 significant decision points across 107.7 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: 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
1,235 ft66 ft
Total Climb
1,542 ft
Total Descent
1,221 ft
Highest Point
1,235 ft
~76.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,169 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 Charlestown, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont, Sunapee, Newport and Claremont.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 107.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.5 miles on I 89. 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Charlestown, 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 1 rest area 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 (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 — 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 Charlestown, NH before heading back.
