Spanning 92.2 miles across New Hampshire, this trip from Keene to East Kingston typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of roads, including Route 9, the Franklin Pierce Highway, and NH 101, which keeps the journey engaging as you move through the Northeast. Budgeting approximately $15 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a straightforward path between these two points in the Granite State.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.1 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m 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
Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
8m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
I 93
5.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 19.5 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Keene, NH and East Kingston, 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
5.9 mi·8 min·Officer Stephen Arkell Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on NH 125; NH 111; NH 107
1.0 mi·1 min·NH 125; NH 111; NH 107
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn left onto NH 107
1.5 mi·3 min·Depot Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn left onto Willow Road
99 ft·3 sec·Willow Road
26
Arrive at destination
Willow Road
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for lengthy breaks, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $15 cost estimate for a full trip. Pay close attention to the transition between NH 101 and the local segments, as the pace of travel can fluctuate significantly. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you can easily complete the 92.2-mile distance in one go. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use the Franklin Pierce Highway portion to settle into your drive before hitting the busier highway sections.
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 46.1 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 6m 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 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.1 miles or 1h 6m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Kingston, 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 92.2 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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
$14.84 one way
$29.69 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$16.33
$32.66
premium
$4.86
$17.66
$35.31
diesel
$5.61
$20.36
$40.71
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
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.7
0
$9.68
$4.43
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.07
$3.69
EV Truck/SUV
36.9
0
$12.91
$5.90
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Night
in Keene on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Kingston, NH
Night
in East Kingston on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition across the state. With a highway share of 58%, you will encounter a blend of faster, open stretches and more localized driving conditions. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 19.5-mile stretch along the Franklin Pierce Highway, which offers a steady rhythm before the road character shifts. The route changes as you move from the topography around Keene toward East Kingston, requiring you to stay alert through varying road types. It is neither a pure interstate grind nor a strictly local crawl, providing a balanced feel behind the wheel.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 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 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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 92.2 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 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
1,422 ft138 ft
Total Climb
1,068 ft
Total Descent
1,412 ft
Highest Point
1,422 ft
~13.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,284 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 East Kingston, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Portsmouth and Kingston.
Boston
50.1 mi in|~1h 11m
Portsmouth
64.1 mi in|~1h 28m
Kingston
83.2 mi in|~1h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 92.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). 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.
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 East Kingston, 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 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 East Kingston, NH before heading back.
