If you are planning a trip from Portsmouth to Brookline, you are looking at a straightforward 70-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. This trek is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway within New Hampshire. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like NH 101 and I-95, the travel time remains fairly consistent. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable connection between the coast and the inland regions of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35 miles from Portsmouth, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Exeter-Hampton Expressway
32.4 mi
37m
NH 101
19.2 mi
28m
I 95
8.8 mi
10m
Route 13
3.4 mi
5m
NH Route 13
1.7 mi
3m
Milford Street
1.2 mi
2m
Market Street
1 mi
2m
Steam Mill Hill Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Exeter-Hampton Expressway
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, NH and Brookline, NH.
1
Start on US 1
406 ft·15 sec·Congress Street
2
Turn right onto Fleet Street
462 ft·17 sec·Fleet Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto Hanover Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Hanover Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto Market Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Market Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 South: Hampton, BostonUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 95
8.8 mi·10 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2Toward NH 101: Hampton, ManchesterUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward 101 West: Manchester, Concord, Exeter
9
Merge onto NH 101
32 mi·37 min·Exeter-Hampton Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 101
3.3 mi·4 min·NH 101
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Manchester, BedfordUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 101
2.2 mi·3 min·NH 101
Toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
12
Turn left onto NH 101
0.4 mi·48 sec·NH 101
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on NH 101
13 mi·20 min·NH 101
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward NH 13: Milford, Brookline
15
Turn left onto NH 13
1.7 mi·3 min·NH Route 13
16
Continue on NH 13
3.4 mi·5 min·Route 13
17
Turn left onto NH 130
1.2 mi·2 min·Milford Street
18
Continue on NH 130
0.1 mi·21 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto Steam Mill Hill Road
0.2 mi·28 sec·Steam Mill Hill Road
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Steam Mill Hill Road
11 ft·0 sec·Steam Mill Hill Road
21
Arrive at destination
Steam Mill Hill Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the route is direct and requires no planned stops, you can easily complete the entire 70-mile drive in one go without needing to build in rest breaks. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, as filling up before you leave the coast can simplify your arrival. One concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between the Exeter-Hampton Expressway and NH 101, as these major junctions can be busy. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick, efficient transit across New Hampshire.
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 35 miles from Portsmouth, NH, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35 miles or 44m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookline, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Portsmouth, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portsmouth, NH
This is one driving day of about 70 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Portsmouth, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Exeter-Hampton Expressway for about 32.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 43.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Fleet Street
Turn right onto Fleet Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Market Street
At end of road, turn left onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Hampton, Boston
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Hampton, Boston
8
10.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward NH 101: Hampton, Manchester
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 2
Toward NH 101: Hampton, Manchester
8
43.8 mi into trip|~54m in|NH 101
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 101 toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Manchester, Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Air...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.27 one way
$22.54 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$12.40
$24.80
premium
$4.86
$13.40
$26.81
diesel
$5.61
$15.46
$30.91
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: 24.5 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
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.13
$2.80
EV Truck/SUV
28
0
$9.80
$4.48
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.
Forecast as of Dec 18, 2023
Origin
Portsmouth, NH
Night
in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookline, NH
Night
in Brookline on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
20 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 35m 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 highly efficient trip, as this route is dominated by highway travel with a 94% highway share. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Exeter-Hampton Expressway, I-95, and NH 101, which provide a fast-paced driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 32.4 miles on the Exeter-Hampton Expressway, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. While the drive is focused on these major roads, the transition from the coastal area toward Brookline keeps the pace brisk. You won't encounter many technical local roads, making this a predictable and direct path for those who prefer interstate cruising over winding backroads.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on Exeter-Hampton Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Exeter-Hampton Expressway and NH 101. 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 Fleet Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 14 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 (Fleet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
464 ft30 ft
Total Climb
752 ft
Total Descent
505 ft
Highest Point
464 ft
~35 mi in
Elevation Range
434 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portsmouth, NH and Brookline, NH, road signs point toward Manchester, 101 West: Manchester, Concord, Exeter, Bedford and Nashua.
Manchester
10.4 mi in|~15m
101 West: Manchester
11 mi in|~16m
Concord
11 mi in|~16m
Exeter
11 mi in|~16m
Bedford
43.8 mi in|~54m|via NH 101
Nashua
47.1 mi in|~59m|via NH 101
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on Exeter-Hampton Expressway. 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 Brookline, 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 (Fleet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: 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 Brookline, NH before heading back.
