Hooksett Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Keene, NH to Portsmouth, NH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
107.1 mi
172 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Keene, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Portsmouth, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Keene to Portsmouth is 107.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 22 minutes via NH 101, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points. Plan for a single day to complete this route comfortably, allowing time for any detours or brief stops you might need.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.6 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NH 101 | 30.5 mi | 35m |
| Franklin Pierce Highway | 19.5 mi | 26m |
| Route 9 | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Blue Star Turnpike | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| I 89 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Everett Turnpike | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Keene Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| I 93 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
NH 101
— 30.5 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Keene, NH and Portsmouth, 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, Boston
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7
Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
19
Merge onto NH 101
31 mi
·
35 min
·
NH 101
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
22
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
23
Merge onto I 95
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 7
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
Use the right lane.
27
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
Congress Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 1
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 22 minute duration, departing Keene in the morning should give you ample time to reach Portsmouth with daylight to spare. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops along the way. The longest stretch without a major road change is 30.5 miles on NH 101, so plan your fuel and rest breaks before or after this segment. With an estimated fuel cost of just $17, you won't need to worry much about your budget, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 53.6 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.5 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 24 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 15m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, 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 107.1 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 30.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Keene, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Hooksett Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Hampton Liquor and Wine Outlet Southbound
1.5 mi from route
Hampton Liquor and Wine Outlet Northbound
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 103.9 — 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
7
95.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
8
103.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.24 one way
$34.48 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $18.97 | $37.94 |
| premium | $4.86 | $20.51 | $41.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.65 | $47.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.17
Blue Star Turnpike
(8.9 mi)
$0.63
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: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.25 | $5.14 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.99 | $6.85 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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.
Origin
Keene, NH
Morning in Keene on Tuesday
Local time
7:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth, NH
Morning in Portsmouth on Tuesday
Local time
7:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Webster, NH
54 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
16 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 22m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 69% of the 107.1 miles on freeways like NH 101. You'll experience a longest stretch of 30.5 miles on NH 101, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect the landscape to transition from rural to more developed areas as you approach Portsmouth, marked by an increasing density of exits and merging traffic.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.5 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 Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 107.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Portsmouth, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Maine and Pease International Tradeport.
Boston
50.1 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Maine
96.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Pease International Tradeport
96.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
About the Cities
Arriving in Portsmouth, NH
Full guide →Portsmouth is the third oldest city in the USA and is prominent in New Hampshire's seacoast region.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 107.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.5 miles on NH 101. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.17 in tolls one way, starting with Blue Star 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 7 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 Portsmouth, 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 7 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 Portsmouth, NH before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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