Keene to Durham is 87.4 miles and takes about 2h 12m via Franklin Pierce Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, beginning in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. The route offers a mix of driving experiences, making it a straightforward, one-day excursion. You'll encounter both highway sections and surface roads, so expect a varied pace for much of the drive. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing for a relaxed start or an early arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 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
Route 9
11.8 mi
16m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
8.3 mi
10m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.8 mi
12m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
Old Turnpike Road
5.1 mi
7m
I 393
4.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 19.5 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,385 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,924
Quietest
1 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Durham, 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
0.5 mi·42 sec·Styles Bridges Highway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 15EToward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
20
Merge onto I 393; US 4; US 202
4.4 mi·6 min·I 393; US 4; US 202
21
Continue on NH 9; US 4; US 202
0.2 mi·17 sec·Loudon Road
22
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.9 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
251 ft·6 sec·Dover Road
24
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.3 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
7.8 mi·12 min·First New Hampshire Turnpike
26
Continue on US 4
5.1 mi·7 min·Old Turnpike Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 4
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Concord Turnpike
28
Continue on US 4
0.5 mi·55 sec·Concord Road
29
Enter roundabout onto US 4
164 ft·4 sec·Concord Road
30
Continue on US 4
2.5 mi·3 min·Concord Road
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward NH 155A: Durham
32
Turn right onto NH 155A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
112 ft·6 sec·Main Street
34
Continue on Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
35
Turn right onto Mill Road
201 ft·14 sec·Mill Road
36
Continue on Mill Road
107 ft·3 sec·Mill Road
37
Arrive at destination
Mill Road
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over two hours, this is a perfect one-day trip, giving you flexibility on when to depart. Leaving Keene in the morning allows ample time to reach Durham by midday. You won't need to break this drive up, but if you prefer a pause, consider a brief stop around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $14, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Keene to avoid needing to search for gas on the way. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from highway to surface roads to ensure you stay on track.
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 43.7 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 43.7 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durham, 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 87.4 miles and 2h 12m.
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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83 — 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.
6
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15E
Toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loud...
5
83 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 4 / Concord Road
Enter roundabout onto US 4 / Concord Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.45 one way
$30.90 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$16.92
$33.85
premium
$5.29
$18.20
$36.40
diesel
$5.35
$18.41
$36.82
Estimated Tolls: $1.14
First New Hampshire Turnpike
(7.8 mi)$0.54
Old Turnpike Road
(5.1 mi)$0.35
Old Concord Turnpike
(1.8 mi)$0.13
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
$15
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: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.18
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.24
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Afternoon
in Keene on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Patchy Fog
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Durham, NH
Afternoon
in Durham on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph21% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Concord, NH
44 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
5 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
2h 12m 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 is split almost evenly between highway and surface roads, with 49% of the route on highways. You'll experience a 19.5-mile stretch on Franklin Pierce Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect to notice the shift from higher-speed highway driving to more varied surface road conditions. The profile is mixed, indicating you'll move between faster sections and those with more local traffic and intersections.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 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?
8/10
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 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 18 significant decision points across 87.4 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
1,394 ft44 ft
Total Climb
1,277 ft
Total Descent
1,716 ft
Highest Point
1,394 ft
~12.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,350 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Keene, NH to Durham, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Portsmouth along the way.
Durham is a town in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Durham is the home of the University of New Hampshire. Because of the size of the University campus (around 15,000 students) and the small size of the town itself, most of Durham's character is a result of its longstanding relationship with the college community.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 87.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). 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 $1.14 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 Durham, 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 (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 Durham, NH before heading back.
