Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
36m
Distance
22.3 mi
36 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kensington, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
If you are planning a quick trip across the Northeast, this 22.3-mile route from Kensington to Salem is a straightforward commute. You can expect to spend about 36 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a one-day trip. With a estimated fuel cost of just $4, it is an incredibly budget-friendly excursion. Because the distance is so manageable, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading out for business or a personal errand, the simplicity of this short drive keeps your travel stress to a minimum.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 10 mi | 11m |
| Amesbury Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Market Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| State Route 97 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Broadway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Exeter Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Ayers Village Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington, NH and Salem, NH.
Start on Trundlebed Lane
Turn right onto NH 150
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 150
Continue on NH 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Enter roundabout onto MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on Main Street
Turn right onto MA 110
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 110
Turn left onto MA 150
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto MA 97
Continue on MA 97
Continue on MA 97
Continue on NH 97
Turn left
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto NH 150 / Amesbury Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto MA 150 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto MA 150 / School Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$3.59 one way
$7.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $3.95 | $7.90 |
| premium | $4.86 | $4.27 | $8.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.92 | $9.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Kensington on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
Destination
Late night in Salem on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between local roads and interstate travel. You will navigate a combination of Amesbury Road and Market Street before merging onto I-495, which accounts for roughly 54% of your total travel time. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during your 10-mile run on I-495, providing a brief period of consistent highway speed. As you move away from the local streets, the pace shifts noticeably, requiring you to adjust from slower town driving to the faster flow of the interstate. It is a functional, balanced journey that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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 NH 150 / Amesbury Road.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 22.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 36m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NH 150 / Amesbury Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (MA 150 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.6 miles (MA 150 / School Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kensington, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Salem New Hampshire along the way.
Salem New Hampshire
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 36m. Total distance: 22.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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