Origin
Exeter, NH
Late night in Exeter on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Exeter, NH to Portsmouth, NH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
17.1 mi
27 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Exeter, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Exeter and Portsmouth, this 17.1-mile drive is a straightforward, efficient journey through New Hampshire's Seacoast region. Expect to spend about 26 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a half-day excursion or a simple one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly way to connect these two historic towns. The route relies primarily on Portsmouth Avenue, NH 101, and the Blue Star Turnpike to get you to your destination without unnecessary detours. Given the short duration, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the trip on your own schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Turnpike | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| NH 101 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Portsmouth Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Market Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Water Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| High Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Congress Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Turnpike
— 8.9 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Exeter, NH and Portsmouth, NH.
1
Start on NH 27
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Water Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on NH 108; NH 111; NH 27
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
High Street
3
Turn left onto NH 108
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Portsmouth Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto NH 101
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
NH 101
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
9
Merge onto I 95
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 7
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
Congress Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 1
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 15.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue
Turn left onto NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
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 95: Portsmouth, Boston
6
6.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease Int...
8
13.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...
6
15.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.75 one way
$5.51 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $3.03 | $6.06 |
| premium | $4.86 | $3.27 | $6.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Blue Star Turnpike
(8.9 mi)
$0.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Portsmouth, NH
Late night in Portsmouth on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is designed for speed and directness, with 73% of your time spent on major roads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on the Blue Star Turnpike, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 8.9 miles. While the route begins on local arteries like Portsmouth Avenue, it quickly transitions into a faster-paced interstate environment. Don't expect a winding, technical challenge; instead, anticipate a functional and consistent commute. The shift from local roads to the turnpike defines the character of this trip, offering a practical experience for those prioritizing time efficiency over a leisurely backroads pace.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8.9 mi on Blue Star Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Blue Star Turnpike and NH 101. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 17.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 26m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Exeter, NH and Portsmouth, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Maine, Pease International Tradeport, New Hampshire and Maine Points.
Boston
5.3 mi in
|
~8m
Maine
6.1 mi in
|
~11m
Pease International Tradeport
6.1 mi in
|
~11m
New Hampshire
13.9 mi in
|
~21m
|
via I 95
Maine Points
13.9 mi in
|
~21m
|
via I 95
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 26m. Total distance: 17.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 8.9 miles on Blue Star Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 in tolls one way, starting with Blue Star 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 Portsmouth, 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: at 0.3 miles (NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, NH before heading back.
How this page is built
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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