Keene to North Hampton is 97.3 miles and takes about 2h 10m via NH 101, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, traversing the Northeast region from west to east. For a single-day excursion, this route offers a straightforward drive, mostly on highway, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. Given its manageable length and duration, you can plan to start your drive at a leisurely pace and still arrive well before evening.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NH 101
28.7 mi
33m
Franklin Pierce Highway
19.5 mi
26m
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
Exeter Road
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
NH 101
— 28.7 mi, about 33m
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 North Hampton, 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
29 mi·33 min·NH 101
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 12Toward NH 111: Exeter, North HamptonUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto NH 111
0.3 mi·40 sec·North Hampton Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on NH 111
2.2 mi·4 min·Exeter Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto NH 151; NH 111
60 ft·1 sec·Post Road
Use the left / right lanes.
24
Turn slight right onto NH 111
0.2 mi·26 sec·NH 111
Toward US 1: Rye BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn slight right onto NH 111
0.9 mi·1 min·Atlantic Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Turn right
65 ft·4 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward, single-day drive of just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Keene in the morning should get you to North Hampton with plenty of daylight to spare. While there are no specific stops noted, consider that the longest stretch without a major road change is 28.7 miles on NH 101, so planning a brief pause before or after that segment might be comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $17, and fuel availability might be more limited once you transition off the main highway.
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 48.6 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Hampton, 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 97.3 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 NH 101 for about 28.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 93.5 — 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
93.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward NH 111: Exeter, North 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 12
Toward NH 111: Exeter, North Hampton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.20 one way
$34.40 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.84
$37.68
premium
$5.29
$20.26
$40.52
diesel
$5.35
$20.49
$40.99
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.51
$3.89
EV Truck/SUV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Patchy Fog
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
North Hampton, NH
Afternoon
in North Hampton on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph21% 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
6 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 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 65% of the 97.3 miles spent on faster roads like NH 101. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on NH 101, covering 28.7 miles without a significant change in road type. After the highway portion, the route transitions to Franklin Pierce Highway and Route 9, offering a different driving experience with more local traffic and potentially more intersections. Expect a noticeable shift in pace as you move from the open highway to more developed surface roads.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on NH 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NH 101 and Franklin Pierce Highway. 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 17 significant decision points across 97.3 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
1,363 ft65 ft
Total Climb
1,063 ft
Total Descent
1,466 ft
Highest Point
1,363 ft
~13.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,298 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 North Hampton, NH, road signs point toward Boston and Portsmouth.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 97.3 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 (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on NH 101. 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 4 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 North Hampton, 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 4 rest areas 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 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 North Hampton, NH before heading back.
