Keene to Brentwood is 86.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via Franklin Pierce Highway and NH 101, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Hampshire, taking you from the Monadnock Region to the Seacoast area. It's a predominantly highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, so it's a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Franklin Pierce Highway
19.5 mi
26m
NH 101
18.3 mi
21m
Route 9
11.8 mi
16m
I 89
7.9 mi
9m
Everett Turnpike
7.6 mi
8m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
I 93
5.7 mi
6m
Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 19.5 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,389 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,070
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Keene, NH and Brentwood, NH.
1
Start on Roxbury Street
33 ft·3 sec·Roxbury Street
2
Turn right onto Central Square
147 ft·3 sec·Central Square
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Washington Street
1.6 mi·4 min·Washington Street
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·12 sec
5
Merge onto NH 9; NH 10
3.3 mi·4 min·Route 9
6
Continue on NH 9
1.5 mi·2 min·NH Route 9
7
Continue on NH 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Route 9
8
Continue on NH 9
3.3 mi·4 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
9
Continue on NH 9
6.7 mi·9 min·Route 9
10
Continue on NH 9
5.7 mi·8 min·Keene Road
11
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
12
Turn straight onto NH 9
16 mi·22 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 89
7.9 mi·9 min·I 89
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
15
Merge onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·Everett Turnpike
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
19
Merge onto NH 101
18 mi·21 min·NH 101
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 7Toward NH 125: Epping, KingstonUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto NH 125
0.4 mi·40 sec·Calef Highway
22
Continue on NH 125
3.1 mi·4 min·Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway
23
Turn left onto NH 111A
289 ft·14 sec·Middle Road
24
Turn left onto Crawley Falls Road
141 ft·3 sec·Crawley Falls Road
25
Arrive at destination
Crawley Falls Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. With no designated stops in the data, you can easily add short breaks as needed, perhaps for a quick stretch or to refuel if your tank is low. The fuel cost is estimated at $14, so it's an economical trip. Keep an eye on your gas gauge, especially before heading out, as the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 20 miles.
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 43.5 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.5 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brentwood, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Keene, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Keene, NH
This is one driving day of about 86.9 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Keene, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Franklin Pierce Highway for about 19.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Square
Turn right onto Central Square
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
58.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
6
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
8
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward NH 125: Epping, Kingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward NH 125: Epping, Kingston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.36 one way
$30.72 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$16.83
$33.65
premium
$5.29
$18.10
$36.19
diesel
$5.35
$18.30
$36.61
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Everett Turnpike
(7.6 mi)$0.54
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.12
$4.17
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.60
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Afternoon
in Keene on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Patchy Fog
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brentwood, NH
Afternoon
in Brentwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
E 0 to 10 mph15% 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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 56m 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 route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll experience stretches of highway that allow for consistent speed, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.5 miles on Franklin Pierce Highway. While the majority of the drive utilizes main roads like NH 101 and Route 9, it maintains a character that leans towards efficient travel rather than winding backroads. Expect a steady pace for most of the trip.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.5 mi on Franklin Pierce Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Franklin Pierce Highway and NH 101. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Central Square.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Central Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,383 ft122 ft
Total Climb
674 ft
Total Descent
1,459 ft
Highest Point
1,383 ft
~12.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,261 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Keene, NH and Brentwood, NH, road signs point toward Boston and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 86.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m 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 19.5 miles on Franklin Pierce Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.54 in tolls one way, starting with Everett 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 3 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.
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 Brentwood, 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: near the start (Central Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.3 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brentwood, NH before heading back.
