Keene to Gorham is 163 miles and takes about 3 hours 37 minutes via Styles Bridges Highway and Route 9, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The majority of this drive takes place on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. Given its manageable length and single day recommendation, this route is a good option for a straightforward scenic drive within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.6 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,141 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,735
Quietest
1 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
32.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 101 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 Gorham, 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
49 mi·52 min·Styles Bridges Highway
21
Continue on I 93
7.7 mi·12 min·Franconia Notch Parkway
22
Take the exit onto US 3
10 mi·16 min·US 3
Exit 35Toward US 3 North: Twin Mountain, LancasterUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on US 3
2.0 mi·3 min·US Route 3 North
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto NH 115
3.6 mi·5 min·State Route 115
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on NH 115
6.1 mi·9 min·Owls Head Highway
26
At end of road, turn right onto US 2
2.2 mi·3 min·Presidential Highway
27
Continue on US 2
9.1 mi·12 min·Gorham Hill Road
28
Continue on US 2
1.2 mi·3 min·Lancaster Road
29
Merge onto US 2; NH 16
1.4 mi·3 min·Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 2; NH 16
Trip Plan
For this 163-mile, roughly 3.5-hour drive, leaving Keene in the morning allows ample time to reach Gorham before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $26, you have flexibility in your timing. The route primarily utilizes surface roads after the initial highway segments, so be prepared for local traffic and speed limit changes. Keep Styles Bridges Highway in mind as your longest stretch of highway driving, and plan your fuel accordingly before heading into more rural sections.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.6 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 36 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gorham, 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 163.2 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Keene, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 65.7 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 139.6 — 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
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|US 3
Take the exit onto US 3 toward US 3 North: Twin Mountain, Lancaster
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 35
Toward US 3 North: Twin Mountain, Lancaster
5
139.6 mi into trip|~3h in|NH 115 / State Route 115
Turn right onto NH 115 / State Route 115
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.19 one way
$54.37 round trip
$4.23/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.70
$30.17
$60.33
premium
$5.07
$32.55
$65.10
diesel
$5.60
$35.97
$71.95
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
$27
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49
0
$17.14
$7.83
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.28
$6.53
EV Truck/SUV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Aug 24, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Late night
in Keene on Friday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gorham, NH
Late night
in Gorham on Friday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph2% 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
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
3h 37m 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?
You'll spend about 29% of this 163-mile drive on highways, meaning much of your time will be on surface roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch of highway driving is 65.7 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. Expect a good amount of local cruising once you transition off the main highways, with fewer exits and more direct routes through communities. This profile suggests a more relaxed pace compared to a route dominated by interstates.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.7 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 163.2 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 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
1,669 ft299 ft
Total Climb
2,537 ft
Total Descent
2,226 ft
Highest Point
1,669 ft
~128.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,370 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 Gorham, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Lancaster along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 163.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.7 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Gorham, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Gorham, NH, but most travelers stay overnight.
