Origin
Laconia, NH
Night in Laconia on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laconia, NH to Charlestown, NH
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h
Distance
68.6 mi
110 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 52m
★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laconia, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Charlestown, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Laconia to Charlestown is 68.6 miles and takes about 2 hours via NH 11, NH 4A, and Claremont Road, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Hampshire, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a turn-heavy local road experience rather than a high-speed interstate journey. With a driving time of around 2 hours, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for exploration at your destination. Consider this a straightforward local connection between towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from Laconia, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NH 11 | 14.2 mi | 25m |
| NH 4A | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Claremont Road | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| Franklin Highway | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Laconia Road | 5 mi | 9m |
| John Stark Highway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 2.9 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
NH 11
— 14.2 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laconia, NH and Charlestown, NH.
1
Start on Pleasant Street
208 ft
·
5 sec
·
Pleasant Street
2
Turn slight left onto NH 106
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto NH 106
472 ft
·
13 sec
·
Veterans Square
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on NH 106
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Beacon Street West
5
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 106
323 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto NH 11A; US 3 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Court Street
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on US 3; NH 11
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Daniel Webster Highway
8
Continue on US 3; NH 11
5.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Laconia Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 3; NH 11; NH 132
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 3; NH 11
2.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Central Street
11
Turn right onto NH 3A; NH 11
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
12
Turn left onto NH 11
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Webster Lake Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on NH 11
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Franklin Highway
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 4; NH 11
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on NH 4A; NH 11
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
NH 4A; NH 11
16
Take the exit onto NH 11
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
NH 11
17
Take the exit onto NH 11
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
NH 11
Exit 12
Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11
154 ft
·
11 sec
·
NH 11
Exit 12
Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
19
Continue on NH 11
10 mi
·
20 min
·
NH 11
20
Turn left onto Cross Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Cross Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Maple Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Maple Street
22
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Elm Street
23
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
John Stark Highway
24
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 11
25
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Street
26
Continue on NH 11; NH 103
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Broad Street
27
Turn right onto NH 11; NH 103
463 ft
·
6 sec
·
Tremont Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11
58 ft
·
6 sec
·
Opera House Square
29
Turn left onto NH 11; NH 12
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pleasant Street
30
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Charlestown Road
31
Continue on NH 11; NH 12
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Claremont Road
32
Continue on NH 12
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Main Street
33
Turn left onto Sullivan Street
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sullivan Street
34
Continue on Sullivan Street
90 ft
·
2 sec
·
Sullivan Street
35
Arrive at destination
Sullivan Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, leaving Laconia in the morning or early afternoon allows you to reach Charlestown with plenty of daylight remaining. Since this is a shorter drive with only 0 stops recommended, you have flexibility with your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $11, and plan your refueling before you leave Laconia or at a convenient point along NH 11. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means being prepared for frequent adjustments and staying alert to road signs.
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 34.3 miles from Laconia, NH, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 15 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlestown, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laconia, 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 Laconia, NH
This is one driving day of about 68.6 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Laconia, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NH 11 for about 14.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Laconia, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 37.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NH 106 / Veterans Square
Turn left onto NH 106 / Veterans Square
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NH 106 / Main Street
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 106 / Main Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 4; NH 11 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 4; NH 11 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
37 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
NH 11
Take the exit onto NH 11 toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport...
8
37.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
NH 11
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 11 toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport, Claremont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NH 11 West: New London, Sunapee, Newport...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.04 one way
$22.09 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.15 | $24.30 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.15 | $30.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.00 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Charlestown, NH
Night in Charlestown on Saturday
Local time
10:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Andover, NH
34 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
7 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 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 isn't your typical highway cruise; the drive from Laconia to Charlestown is characterized by frequent turns, earning its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With only 24% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the majority of the 68.6 miles. The longest stretch without a significant turn is 14.2 miles on NH 11. As you progress, the route will feel more like a local commute, winding through communities and requiring your attention at junctions.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.2 mi on NH 11.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near NH 106 / Veterans Square.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 68.6 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: at 0.1 miles (NH 106 / Veterans Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (NH 106 / Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (US 4; NH 11 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Laconia, NH and Charlestown, NH, road signs point toward Sunapee, Newport and Claremont.
Sunapee
37 mi in
|
~1h 10m
|
via NH 11
Newport
37 mi in
|
~1h 10m
|
via NH 11
Claremont
37 mi in
|
~1h 10m
|
via NH 11
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 68.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.2 miles on NH 11. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Charlestown, 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. 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: at 0.1 miles (NH 106 / Veterans Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (NH 106 / Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (US 4; NH 11 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Charlestown, 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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