Spanning 87.7 miles, this trek from Madison to Manchester, New Hampshire, is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $14 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Northeast locations. Navigating the route involves utilizing the Everett Turnpike and the Senator Styles Bridges Highway. Since the drive is quite manageable, it offers a practical way to transition between these areas of the state without overwhelming your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Madison, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Everett Turnpike
15.8 mi
18m
Styles Bridges Highway
15.7 mi
17m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Whittier Highway
12.2 mi
22m
NH 104
8.5 mi
13m
Plains Road
5 mi
9m
Ossipee Mountain Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Whittier Street
3.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Everett Turnpike
— 15.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, NH and Manchester, NH.
1
Start on this road
153 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NH 113
1.7 mi·4 min·Village Road
3
Turn left onto NH 41
5.0 mi·9 min·Plains Road
4
Turn left onto NH 16
0.3 mi·37 sec·White Mountain Highway
5
Turn right onto NH 25
3.9 mi·5 min·Ossipee Mountain Highway
6
Continue on NH 25; NH 113
2.3 mi·3 min·Bear Camp Highway
7
Continue on NH 25
0.4 mi·29 sec·Whittier Road
8
Continue on NH 25
0.7 mi·1 min·State Route 25
9
Continue on NH 25
12 mi·22 min·Whittier Highway
10
Continue on NH 25
3.1 mi·6 min·Whittier Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on NH 25
0.2 mi·20 sec·Winnipesaukee Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 3
0.9 mi·2 min·Daniel Webster Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight right onto NH 104
8.3 mi·12 min·NH 104
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on NH 104
0.3 mi·34 sec·NH 104
Use the right lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 93 South: Tilton, ConcordUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 93
15 mi·16 min·Styles Bridges Highway
17
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
18
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
19
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293
4.9 mi·5 min·Everett Turnpike
Toward I 293 South: Manchester, NashuaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
401 ft·9 sec
Exit 6Toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
23
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·11 sec
24
Turn left onto Eddy Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Eddy Road
25
Continue on McGregor Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·McGregor Street
26
Turn left onto West Bridge Street
0.9 mi·2 min·West Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Bridge Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 2-hour and 6-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the entire distance is easily covered in one go. Keep in mind that with a highway share of only 28%, your travel time can fluctuate depending on local traffic flow, so account for potential congestion on the turn-heavy sections. Before you head out, ensure your fuel tank is ready to handle the estimated $14 cost. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert on the non-highway segments, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads makes them less predictable than the 15.8-mile stretch on the Everett Turnpike.
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 43.9 miles from Madison, NH, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.8 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 19 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 1h 14m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madison, 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 Madison, NH
This is one driving day of about 87.7 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Madison, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Everett Turnpike for about 15.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.7 and 86.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
29.7 mi into trip|~53m in|US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway
Turn left onto US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
39.1 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 South: Tilton, Concord
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 93 South: Tilton, Concord
6
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|I 293 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293 / Everett Turnpike toward I 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
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 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
6
86.2 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.12 one way
$28.24 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$15.53
$31.07
premium
$4.86
$16.79
$33.59
diesel
$5.61
$19.36
$38.73
Estimated Tolls: $1.10
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
Everett Turnpike
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.21
$4.21
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.67
$3.51
EV Truck/SUV
35.1
0
$12.28
$5.61
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Madison, NH
Night
in Madison on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manchester, NH
Night
in Manchester on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
2h 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will encounter a mix of roads, only 28% of this journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local infrastructure. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 15.8-mile segment on the Everett Turnpike. As you progress, the road dynamic shifts from local transit to more structured highway driving, creating a varied experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a technical drive that requires consistent focus as you move through the New Hampshire landscape.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.8 mi on Everett Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 29.7 miles in near US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 87.7 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 29.7 miles (US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
611 ft279 ft
Total Climb
88 ft
Total Descent
420 ft
Highest Point
611 ft
~18.8 mi in
Elevation Range
332 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Madison, NH and Manchester, NH, road signs point toward Concord and Nashua.
Concord
39.1 mi in|~1h 8m
Nashua
81.3 mi in|~1h 57m|via I 293
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 87.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.8 miles on Everett Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.10 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.
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 Manchester, 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 29.7 miles (US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 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 Manchester, NH before heading back.
