Origin
Manchester, NH
Late night in Manchester on Friday
Local time
3:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manchester, NH to Effingham, NH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h
Distance
79 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
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.
Manchester, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Effingham, NH
Mohan Nannapaneni
Trip Overview
The drive from Manchester, NH to Effingham, NH covers 79 miles and takes about 2h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NH 101, Calef Highway, Province Lake Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.3 miles on NH 101. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Manchester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NH 101 | 18.3 mi | 21m |
| Calef Highway | 17.4 mi | 27m |
| Province Lake Road | 15.9 mi | 29m |
| Spaulding Turnpike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| White Mountain Highway | 7 mi | 10m |
| Gonic Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Bridge Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| NH 16 Onramp North | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NH 101
— 18.3 mi, about 21m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,437 veh/hr typical · worst 4,142
Quietest
2 AM
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 44 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 Manchester, NH and Effingham, NH.
1
Start on Bridge Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 93 South
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 93
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 93
4
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7
Toward NH 101 East: Seacoast, Portsmouth
5
Merge onto NH 101
18 mi
·
21 min
·
NH 101
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 7
Toward NH 125: Epping, Kingston
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto NH 125
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
Calef Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto NH 125
171 ft
·
5 sec
·
Calef Highway
9
Continue on NH 125
7.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Calef Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on NH 125
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Gonic Road
11
Take the exit onto NH 16 Onramp North
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
NH 16 Onramp North
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto NH 16
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Spaulding Turnpike
13
Continue on NH 16
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
White Mountain Highway
14
Turn right onto Wakefield Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wakefield Road
15
Turn sharp left onto NH 153
16 mi
·
29 min
·
Province Lake Road
16
Turn right onto Plantation Road
59 ft
·
2 sec
·
Plantation Road
17
Arrive at destination
Plantation Road
Trip Plan
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 39.5 miles from Manchester, NH, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.3 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 56m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Effingham, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manchester, 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 Manchester, NH
This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Manchester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NH 101 for about 18.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Manchester, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 40.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 93 South
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m 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
8
21 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward NH 125: Epping, Kingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward NH 125: Epping, Kingston
4
21.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
NH 125 / Calef Highway
Turn left onto NH 125 / Calef Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
40.5 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
NH 16 Onramp North
Take the exit onto NH 16 Onramp North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.16 one way
$26.32 round trip
$4.23/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.70 | $14.60 | $29.21 |
| premium | $5.07 | $15.76 | $31.51 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $17.41 | $34.83 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.01
Spaulding Turnpike
(14.4 mi)
$1.01
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.06 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Effingham, NH
Late night in Effingham on Friday
Local time
3:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Rochester, NH
40 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
3 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?
79 mi in 2h — 43% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: NH 101.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.3 mi on NH 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
670 ft
134 ft
Total Climb
914 ft
Total Descent
568 ft
Highest Point
670 ft
~62.1 mi in
Elevation Range
536 ft
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.
On the drive from Manchester, NH to Effingham, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Kingston along the way.
Kingston
21 mi in
|
~26m
About the Cities
Starting in Manchester, NH
Full guide →Founded 1722
Manchester is in New Hampshire, USA. The state's largest city has enjoyed a renaissance over the past several years. Once home to the largest textiles facility in the world, the area has a vibrant and largely service-oriented economy. It is home to several educational institutions, including Southern New Hampshire University and St. Anselm College. In 2020, it was home to 116,000 people.
Top landmarks
- • Currier Museum of Art — art museum in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
- • Zimmerman House — house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Manchester, NH
- • Valley Cemetery — cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire
Arriving in Effingham, NH
Full guide →Founded 1778
Top landmarks
- • Lord's Hill Historic District — historic district in Effingham, New Hampshire
- • New England Masonic Charitable Institute — historic building in Effingham, New Hampshire, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.3 miles on NH 101. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.01 in tolls one way, starting with Spaulding 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 Effingham, 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Effingham, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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