Rindge to Laconia is 84 miles and takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes via Styles Bridges Highway and US 202, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving north through the Northeast region. Expect a mix of driving conditions, with a significant portion on main highways before transitioning to surface roads. It's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single-day excursion when you want a relatively quick transition between locations within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Rindge, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
18 mi
20m
US 202
14.9 mi
20m
I 89
8.3 mi
10m
Concord Street
7 mi
10m
Laconia Road
4.7 mi
8m
Concord Road
3.9 mi
5m
Hancock Road
3.2 mi
5m
Jaffrey Road
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 18 mi, about 20m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,003 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,576
Quietest
1 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
31.9×
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 Rindge, NH and Laconia, NH.
Given the 2-hour drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Rindge in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With no specific stops recommended, this route offers flexibility; you can pause for a break whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $14, and plan your last fuel stop before hitting the more rural sections. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, as the speed and traffic patterns will change noticeably.
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 41.9 miles from Rindge, NH, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18 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 18 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 1h 8m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laconia, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rindge, 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 Rindge, NH
This is one driving day of about 83.9 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Rindge, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 18 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 75.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in|US 202; NH 124 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 202; NH 124 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in|US 202 / Peterborough Street
Turn left onto US 202 / Peterborough Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.1 mi into trip|~53m in|US 202
Take the ramp onto US 202 toward NH 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward NH 9
6
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 3, NH 11, NH 132, NH 140: Laconia, Tilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.17 one way
$26.33 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$14.78
$29.57
premium
$4.81
$15.89
$31.79
diesel
$4.80
$15.84
$31.68
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Everett Turnpike
(1.7 mi)$0.12
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.81
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Rindge, NH
Night
in Rindge on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 2:23AM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME
Destination
Laconia, NH
Night
in Laconia on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 2:23AM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM 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
3 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
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 route is about 37% highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of time on faster roads like I-89 and US 202. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 18 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. You'll notice the shift from highway driving to surface roads as you get closer to your destination. The profile is mixed, so be prepared for both higher-speed cruising and more local traffic conditions.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 5.9 miles in near US 202; NH 124 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 83.9 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 5.9 miles (US 202; NH 124 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 202 / Peterborough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles (US 202): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,302 ft260 ft
Total Climb
359 ft
Total Descent
1,162 ft
Highest Point
1,302 ft
Elevation Range
1,042 ft
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 Rindge, NH to Laconia, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Tilton along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 83.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 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 Laconia, 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. 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 5.9 miles (US 202; NH 124 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 202 / Peterborough Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles (US 202): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Laconia, NH before heading back.
