Spanning 135.1 miles across New Hampshire, this route connects North Conway to Keene in approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to traverse the state without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $22 for fuel to complete the journey. Because you are traveling entirely within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel from start to finish. This drive is practical for those who prefer a mixed-road experience over a purely interstate commute. Ultimately, it serves as an efficient connection between two distinct New Hampshire hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.5 miles from North Conway, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
15.7 mi
17m
US 202
15.5 mi
21m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
White Mountain Highway
13.7 mi
23m
Whittier Highway
12.2 mi
22m
Route 9
11.9 mi
16m
NH 104
8.5 mi
13m
I 89
7.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 15.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Conway, NH and Keene, NH.
1
Start on US 302; NH 16
2.0 mi·4 min·White Mountain Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 302; NH 16
0.6 mi·1 min·White Mountain Road
3
Continue on NH 16
2.8 mi·5 min·White Mountain Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto NH 16; NH 113
1.4 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Continue on NH 16; NH 113
8.9 mi·13 min·White Mountain Highway
6
Continue on NH 16
1.5 mi·2 min·Chocorua Mtn Highway
7
Turn right onto NH 113
277 ft·7 sec·Silver Lake Road
8
Turn straight onto Page Hill Road
2.1 mi·4 min·Page Hill Road
9
Turn straight onto NH 113
0.4 mi·1 min·Chocorua Road
10
Turn left onto NH 113
2.0 mi·4 min·Tamworth Road
11
Turn right onto NH 113
0.4 mi·51 sec·Whittier Road
12
Turn right onto NH 25; NH 113
0.2 mi·17 sec·Ossipee Mountain Highway
13
Continue on NH 25; NH 113
2.3 mi·3 min·Bear Camp Highway
14
Continue on NH 25
0.4 mi·29 sec·Whittier Road
15
Continue on NH 25
0.7 mi·1 min·State Route 25
16
Continue on NH 25
12 mi·22 min·Whittier Highway
17
Continue on NH 25
3.1 mi·6 min·Whittier Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on NH 25
0.2 mi·20 sec·Winnipesaukee Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 3
0.9 mi·2 min·Daniel Webster Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto NH 104
8.3 mi·12 min·NH 104
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on NH 104
0.3 mi·34 sec·NH 104
Use the right lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 93 South: Tilton, ConcordUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 93
15 mi·16 min·Styles Bridges Highway
24
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
25
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
26
Continue on I 93
2.5 mi·3 min·Everett Turnpike
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction VermontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 89
7.8 mi·9 min·I 89
29
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
30
Continue on US 202; NH 9
15 mi·21 min·US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on NH 9
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
32
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
5.7 mi·8 min·Keene Road
33
Continue on NH 9
6.7 mi·9 min·Route 9
34
Continue on NH 9
3.3 mi·4 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
35
Continue on NH 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Route 9
36
Continue on NH 9
1.5 mi·2 min·NH Route 9
37
Continue on NH 9
3.4 mi·4 min·Route 9
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.7 mi·4 min·Washington Street
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto Central Square
218 ft·7 sec·Central Square
40
Continue on Central Square
248 ft·8 sec·Central Square
41
Turn left onto Roxbury Street
126 ft·2 sec·Roxbury Street
42
Arrive at destination
Roxbury Street
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is just over three and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace the trip to suit your comfort level without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $22 estimate in mind to ensure you are prepared for the total distance. Because you are spending most of your time off the main highways, be ready for shifting speed limits and varying traffic patterns. A smart strategy is to identify your single planned stop midway through the journey to break up the 135.1 miles effectively.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.5 miles from North Conway, NH, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.7 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 30 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Keene, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Conway, 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 North Conway, NH
This is one driving day of about 135.1 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from North Conway, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 15.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.3 and 133.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
41.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
7
84.6 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junctio...
6
92.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
$22
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.19
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.8
0
$11.82
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.91
$8.65
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 13, 2026
Origin
North Conway, NH
Night
in North Conway on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Light Rain
S 5 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Keene, NH
Night
in Keene on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
14 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
3h 22m 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?
Expect a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. The route relies on a combination of local roads and major thoroughfares, including US 202 and the Senator Styles Bridges Highway. With a highway share of only 36%, you will spend the majority of your time navigating secondary roads rather than monotonous stretches of interstate. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 15.7-mile stretch on the Styles Bridges Highway. This variety ensures the drive feels dynamic, transitioning between different road types as you make your way south.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.7 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 41.3 miles in near US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
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 135.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 41.3 miles (US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,250 ft328 ft
Total Climb
1,133 ft
Total Descent
1,176 ft
Highest Point
1,250 ft
~125.4 mi in
Elevation Range
922 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Conway, NH and Keene, NH, road signs point toward Concord and White River Junction Vermont.
Concord
50.7 mi in|~1h 31m
White River Junction Vermont
84.6 mi in|~2h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 135.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.7 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.18 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 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Keene, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
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 41.3 miles (US 3 / Daniel Webster Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Keene, NH, but most travelers stay overnight.
