Keene to Bridgewater is 93.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m via Styles Bridges Highway and Franklin Pierce Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New Hampshire, offering a straightforward drive through the Northeast region. You'll find the route is a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable day trip. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a relatively short drive with a low fuel cost to get you from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
30 mi
33m
Franklin Pierce Highway
19.5 mi
26m
Route 9
11.8 mi
16m
I 89
8.3 mi
10m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
NH 104
5.7 mi
10m
Lake Street
3.4 mi
7m
West Main Street
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 30 mi, about 33m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,003 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,576
Quietest
1 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
31.9×
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 Bridgewater, 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
8.3 mi·10 min·I 89
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto NH 3A
0.3 mi·41 sec·Route 3-A
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on NH 3A
420 ft·10 sec·South Main Street
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 93 North
17
Merge onto I 93
1.7 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
18
Continue on I 93
17 mi·19 min·Styles Bridges Highway
19
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·46 sec·Sen Styles Bridges Highway
20
Continue on I 93
13 mi·14 min·Styles Bridges Highway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 23Toward NH 104, NH 132: Meredith, New HamptonUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left
115 ft·9 sec
Toward NH 132 South, NH 104 West: New Hampton, Bristol, NH Fish & Game
23
Turn left onto NH 104
5.7 mi·10 min·NH 104
24
Continue on NH 104; NH 3A
0.2 mi·31 sec·Pleasant Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on NH 3A
3.4 mi·7 min·Lake Street
26
Continue on NH 3A
0.3 mi·39 sec·Mayhew Turnpike
27
Turn left onto Whittemore Point Road South
231 ft·10 sec·Whittemore Point Road South
28
Arrive at destination
Whittemore Point Road South
Trip Plan
Given this drive takes just over 2 hours, you have the flexibility to depart anytime. It's a single-day trip, so no overnight stays are necessary. The $17 fuel cost is quite economical for the 93.7 miles. Since there are no specific stops noted, you can decide on your pace. Keep an eye out for the transition points between highway and surface roads, as mentioned in the drive character, to be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic.
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 46.9 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 1h 7m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgewater, 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.
+
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 Keene, NH
This is one driving day of about 93.7 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Keene, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 30 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 84.1 — 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.
5
42.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|NH 3A / Route 3-A
Turn left onto NH 3A / Route 3-A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward NH 104, NH 132: Meredith, New Hampton
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 23
Toward NH 104, NH 132: Meredith, New Hampton
5
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Turn left toward NH 132 South, NH 104 West: New Hampton, Bristol, NH Fish & Game
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NH 132 South, NH 104 West: New Hampton,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.56 one way
$33.13 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.14
$36.28
premium
$5.29
$19.51
$39.02
diesel
$5.35
$19.74
$39.47
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Everett Turnpike
(1.7 mi)$0.12
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
$17
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.20
$3.75
EV Truck/SUV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 2, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Afternoon
in Keene on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
N 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bridgewater, NH
Afternoon
in Bridgewater on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
50°F
Webster, NH
47 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
1 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 10m 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?
About 32% of this 93.7-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on Styles Bridges Highway measuring 30 miles. You'll notice the transition from highway to surface roads as you proceed. Expect a mix of faster highway sections and more typical surface road driving during your 2h 10m trip.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 93.7 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 (Central Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,380 ft241 ft
Total Climb
1,463 ft
Total Descent
1,305 ft
Highest Point
1,380 ft
~13.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,139 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 Bridgewater, NH, road signs point toward New Hampton, Bristol and Nh Fish & Game.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 93.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 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 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 Bridgewater, 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. 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 (Central Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bridgewater, NH before heading back.
