Dover, NH to Swanzey, NH is 96.9 miles and takes about 2h 28m via US 202 and Route 9, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route offers a good balance of highway cruising and surface road travel, making it a manageable one-day excursion. You'll find this drive is quite straightforward, with minimal complexity for a day trip. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points in New Hampshire.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Dover, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
15.5 mi
21m
Route 9
11.9 mi
16m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
7.8 mi
9m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.8 mi
12m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
Old Turnpike Road
5.1 mi
7m
I 393
4.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 15.5 mi, about 21m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,961
Quietest
1 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 78 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 Swanzey, 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
15 mi·21 min·US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on NH 9
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
32
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
5.7 mi·8 min·Keene Road
33
Continue on NH 9
6.7 mi·9 min·Route 9
34
Continue on NH 9
3.3 mi·4 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
35
Continue on NH 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Route 9
36
Continue on NH 9
1.5 mi·2 min·NH Route 9
37
Continue on NH 9
3.4 mi·4 min·Route 9
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.7 mi·4 min·Washington Street
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto Central Square
218 ft·7 sec·Central Square
40
Continue on Central Square
248 ft·7 sec·Central Square
41
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
42
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
123 ft·2 sec·Main Street
43
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
44
Turn right onto NH 32
3.0 mi·5 min·Old Homestead Highway
45
Enter roundabout onto NH 32
175 ft·3 sec·Old Homestead Highway
46
Continue on NH 32
0.3 mi·31 sec·Old Homestead Highway
47
Arrive at destination
NH 32
Trip Plan
For this 2h 28m drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to maximize your day, especially since it's a single-day trip. With 96.9 miles and a fuel cost around $16, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. You can comfortably complete this trip without needing to split it into overnight stays. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition between US 202 and Route 9, as this is where the driving feel changes from highway to surface roads.
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 48.5 miles from Dover, NH, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.5 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 21 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 1h 16m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swanzey, 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 96.9 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 15.5 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 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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.1
0
$10.17
$4.65
Efficient EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
EV Truck/SUV
38.8
0
$13.57
$6.20
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Dover, NH
Evening
in Dover on Sunday
Local time
6:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
28°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Swanzey, NH
Evening
in Swanzey on Sunday
Local time
6:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
22°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
36°F
Concord, NH
48 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
6 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 28m 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 drive features a highway share of 61%, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of the 96.9 miles on faster roads like US 202. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 15.5 miles along US 202. Once you move off the main highway sections, you'll transition to roads like Route 9, offering a different driving experience. Expect a noticeable change in pace and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
61% 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: 15.5 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and Route 9. 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 is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 96.9 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
1,285 ft66 ft
Total Climb
1,726 ft
Total Descent
1,299 ft
Highest Point
1,285 ft
~76.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,219 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 Swanzey, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont and Keene.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 96.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.5 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 Swanzey, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 Swanzey, NH before heading back.
