Keene to Whitefield is 136 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via I 91 and NH 12, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving you from the southern part of the state up towards the White Mountains region. It's a relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route offers a blend of highway cruising and more local road travel as you make your way north. It’s a straightforward way to cover ground if you’re looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
68 miles from Keene, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 91
81.2 mi
1h 33m
NH 12
15.7 mi
17m
South Main Street
7.6 mi
11m
Lisbon Road
4.1 mi
6m
Littleton Road
3.9 mi
7m
Alder Brook Road
3.5 mi
6m
Meadow Street
3.3 mi
6m
Rum Hill Road
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 91
— 81.2 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-91
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 31 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~465 veh/hr typical
· worst 764
Quietest
2 AM
~17 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 63 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 Whitefield, 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 left at fork onto Central Square
222 ft·6 sec·Central Square
4
Continue on Central Square
137 ft·3 sec·Central Square
5
Continue on Central Square
113 ft·5 sec·Central Square
6
Turn right onto West Street
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto NH 9; NH 10; NH 12
0.3 mi·20 sec·Route 9
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 12
16 mi·17 min·NH 12
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto NH 123
0.1 mi·8 sec·Winnell Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on VT 123
0.3 mi·19 sec·Vermont Route 123
12
At end of road, turn right onto VT 123
362 ft·6 sec·Vermont Route 123
13
Continue on US 5
0.7 mi·46 sec·U.S. Route 5
14
Turn left onto Westminster Street
0.6 mi·50 sec·Westminster Street
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
16
Merge onto I 91
81 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 91
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 17Toward US 302: Wells River, Woodsville New Hampshire
18
Turn right onto US 302
2.2 mi·3 min·U.S. Route 302
19
Continue on US 302
0.4 mi·36 sec·Mill Street
20
Continue on Mill Street
193 ft·9 sec·Mill Street
21
Turn right onto US 5; US 302
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street North
22
Turn left onto US 302
0.3 mi·41 sec·Railroad Street
23
Continue on US 302
1.3 mi·3 min·Central Street
24
Turn left onto NH 10
0.7 mi·58 sec·Dartmouth College Road
25
Continue on US 302; NH 10
3.1 mi·4 min·Rum Hill Road
26
Continue on US 302; NH 10
4.1 mi·6 min·Lisbon Road
27
Continue on US 302; NH 10
0.5 mi·48 sec·West End Road
28
Continue on US 302; NH 10
0.5 mi·44 sec·Dartmouth College Road
29
Continue on US 302; NH 10
7.6 mi·11 min·South Main Street
30
Continue on US 302; NH 10
3.3 mi·6 min·Meadow Street
31
Continue on US 302; NH 18
0.6 mi·51 sec·Main Street
32
Continue on NH 116
2.4 mi·4 min·Union Street
33
Continue on NH 116
0.7 mi·1 min·Whitefield Road
34
Continue on NH 116
3.5 mi·6 min·Alder Brook Road
35
Continue on NH 116
3.9 mi·7 min·Littleton Road
36
At end of road, turn left onto US 3; NH 142; NH 116
467 ft·12 sec·Daniel Webster Highway
37
Turn right onto NH 116
390 ft·7 sec·Jefferson Road
38
Arrive at destination
NH 116
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 58 minute duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day, leaving Keene anytime in the morning. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or plan a stop. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 81.2 miles, you won't need to break up the drive extensively. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from I 91 to NH 12 and then onto local streets like South Main Street in Whitefield.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Keene, NH, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.2 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68 miles or 1h 20m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitefield, 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 136 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 I 91 for about 81.2 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 100.5 — 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.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Square
Keep slight left at fork onto Central Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|NH 12
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
17.6 mi into trip|~22m in|VT 123 / Vermont Route 123
At end of road, turn right onto VT 123 / Vermont Route 123
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
100.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 302: Wells River, Woodsville New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward US 302: Wells River, Woodsville New Hamp...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.74 one way
$47.47 round trip
$4.43/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.93
$26.42
$52.84
premium
$5.30
$28.38
$56.77
diesel
$6.18
$33.08
$66.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.8
0
$14.28
$6.53
Efficient EV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
EV Truck/SUV
54.4
0
$19.04
$8.70
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Keene, NH
Morning
in Keene on Monday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Whitefield, NH
Morning
in Whitefield on Monday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
35°F
Piermont, NH
68 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
4 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 58m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Your National Park for the Arts preserves the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Here stories flow through a landscape of inspiration. Discover the history behind the capt...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 136 miles spent on faster roads. You'll experience an 81.2-mile stretch on I 91, offering consistent speed. The transition to surface roads, like South Main Street, will likely occur as you approach your destination. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve typical highway exits and merging patterns.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.2 mi on I 91.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 91 and NH 12. 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 17 significant decision points across 136 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; near the start (Central Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.6 miles (NH 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
955 ft438 ft
Total Climb
1,024 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
955 ft
~136 mi in
Elevation Range
517 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 Whitefield, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Woodsville New Hampshire along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 136 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.2 miles on I 91. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Whitefield, 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. There are 6 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; near the start (Central Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.6 miles (NH 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Whitefield, NH before heading back.
