Laconia to Sandown is 60.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 32 minutes via Senator Styles Bridges Highway and I-93, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route offers a blend of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable drive for a single day. You'll want to budget for about $10 in fuel, and with its relatively short duration, it's a convenient option for a quick trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.3 miles from Laconia, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Everett Turnpike
10.9 mi
13m
I 93
5.7 mi
6m
Laconia Road
5 mi
8m
Chester Road
3.9 mi
7m
Main Street
3.5 mi
8m
Styles Bridges Highway
3.3 mi
3m
NH 101
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
— 15.4 mi, about 17m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,530 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,165
Quietest
2 AM
~118 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.9×
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 Laconia, NH and Sandown, 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·8 min·Laconia Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 93 South
10
Merge onto I 93
2.5 mi·2 min·Styles Bridges Highway
11
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
12
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
13
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 7Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
17
Merge onto NH 101
2.5 mi·3 min·NH 101
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 2Toward Auburn, Chester
19
Turn right onto Hooksett Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Hooksett Road
20
Continue on NH 121
3.9 mi·7 min·Chester Road
21
Continue on NH 121
2.3 mi·4 min·Chester Street
22
Continue on NH 121
0.2 mi·23 sec·Haverhill Road
23
Continue on NH 121A
1.6 mi·3 min·Sandown Road
24
Continue on NH 121A
3.3 mi·8 min·Main Street
25
Turn sharp left onto Fremont Road
105 ft·3 sec·Fremont Road
26
Arrive at destination
Fremont Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 1.5 hours, this route is easily completed in one day. To make the most of your time, consider departing in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. There are no recommended stops, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $10, and plan your refueling accordingly before you depart Laconia or once you're on the main highways. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll transition between different speed limits, so stay aware of your surroundings.
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 30.3 miles from Laconia, NH, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 13 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.3 miles or 41m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laconia, NH
This is one driving day of about 60.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Laconia, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Senator Styles Bridges Highway for about 15.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 44 — 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
36.3 mi into trip|~49m 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
38.2 mi into trip|~51m 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
44 mi into trip|~58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.73 one way
$21.46 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$11.75
$23.51
premium
$5.29
$12.64
$25.28
diesel
$5.35
$12.79
$25.57
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.2
0
$6.37
$2.91
Efficient EV
15.2
0
$5.31
$2.43
EV Truck/SUV
24.3
0
$8.50
$3.88
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 May 10, 2026
Origin
Laconia, NH
Evening
in Laconia on Wednesday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 2:36AM EDT by NWS Gray ME
Destination
Sandown, NH
Evening
in Sandown on Wednesday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog then Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 2:36AM EDT by NWS Gray ME
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 32m 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 60.7-mile drive features 32% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads like I-93. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 15.4 miles along Senator Styles Bridges Highway. Expect a mixed driving experience with periods of highway travel followed by transitions to surface roads. You'll notice the change from higher-speed routes to more local roads as you get closer to Sandown.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.4 mi on Senator Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near NH 106 / Veterans Square.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 36.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
501 ft228 ft
Total Climb
290 ft
Total Descent
560 ft
Highest Point
501 ft
~8.7 mi in
Elevation Range
273 ft
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 Sandown, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Portsmouth, Auburn and Chester.
Boston
38.2 mi in|~51m|via I 93
Portsmouth
44 mi in|~58m
Auburn
47.3 mi in|~1h 2m
Chester
47.3 mi in|~1h 2m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 60.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.4 miles on Senator Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 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 Sandown, NH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 36.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sandown, NH before heading back.
