Dover, NH to Lisbon, NH is 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 49m via Styles Bridges Highway and NH-140, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that mostly sticks to surface roads, making it a good option for a relaxed, one-day excursion. If you're looking for a simple drive that gets you from point A to point B without much fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
59.3 miles from Dover, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
51.5 mi
55m
New Hampshire Route 140
10 mi
17m
Spaulding Turnpike
8.5 mi
10m
Franconia Notch Parkway
7.7 mi
12m
Sugar Hill Road
6.8 mi
12m
Henry Wilson Highway
6.2 mi
8m
NH Route 11
6.1 mi
9m
Frank C. Gilman Highway
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 51.5 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,129 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,634
Quietest
2 AM
~32 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
35.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Lisbon, NH.
1
Start on this road
21 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto NH 9; NH 108
320 ft·11 sec·Main Street
3
Turn straight onto NH 9; NH 108
1.9 mi·5 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Indian Brook Drive
0.3 mi·47 sec·Indian Brook Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Spaulding Turnpike North, NH 16 North: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
Given the 2h 49m duration, leaving Dover in the morning allows ample time to reach Lisbon without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in your timing. Pay attention to the transition points between the highway and surface roads; the longest stretch on Styles Bridges Highway is over 50 miles, so be prepared for that change. You should budget around $21 for fuel, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, especially as you'll be on surface roads for a significant portion of the trip where services might be less frequent.
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 59.3 miles from Dover, NH, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 26 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lisbon, 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 118.6 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 Styles Bridges Highway for about 51.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 116.4 — 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
2.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward Spaulding Turnpike North, NH 16 North: Rochester
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Spaulding Turnpike North, NH 16 North: R...
6
11 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward NH 11 West: Farmington, Alton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15
Toward NH 11 West: Farmington, Alton
5
107.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward NH 18, NH 116, NH 117, NH 142: Franconia, Sugar Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 302; NH 10 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 302; NH 10 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.97 one way
$41.93 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$22.96
$45.93
premium
$5.29
$24.70
$49.39
diesel
$5.35
$24.98
$49.96
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Spaulding Turnpike
(8.5 mi)$0.59
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
$21
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.38
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Dover, NH
Afternoon
in Dover on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NE 5 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lisbon, NH
Afternoon
in Lisbon on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph19% 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
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 49m 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?
You'll spend about 29% of this trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on Styles Bridges Highway covering 51.5 miles. After that, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of the drive. The profile is mostly surface roads, so you'll likely notice more local traffic and varying speed limits as you move away from the initial highway segment. This means you'll be cruising through more populated areas and then transitioning to a more rural feel.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.5 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NH 9; NH 108 / Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 118.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,954 ft66 ft
Total Climb
2,174 ft
Total Descent
1,658 ft
Highest Point
1,954 ft
~101.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,889 ft
Notable High Points
1,954 ft at ~101.7 miles+510 ft prominence
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 Lisbon, NH, road signs point toward Alton and Sugar Hill.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 118.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (29%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Spaulding 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 4 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 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 Lisbon, NH before heading back.
