Trip from Rindge, NH to Portsmouth, NH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 12m

Distance

91.8 mi

148 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 3m ★

6 AM

2h 12m

8 AM

2h 31m

10 AM

2h 19m

12 PM

2h 17m

3 PM

2h 19m

5 PM

2h 30m

8 PM

2h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Rindge, NH

Thành Đỗ

city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States

Portsmouth, NH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 91.8 miles across the Northeast, this drive from Rindge to Portsmouth is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting roughly $15 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Navigating through New Hampshire, you will rely on a combination of I-495, the Blue Star Turnpike, and local Main Street stretches to reach the coast. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you from the quiet inland areas to the bustling Portsmouth waterfront with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.9 miles from Rindge, NH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 495	40.3 mi	47m
Blue Star Turnpike	9.8 mi	11m
Main Street	9.6 mi	19m
I 95	6.7 mi	7m
Boston Road	3.9 mi	6m
South Road	3.7 mi	6m
Rindge State Road	3.3 mi	4m
Route 119	3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 495 — 40.3 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rindge, NH and Portsmouth, NH.

Start on this road

52 ft · 2 sec · this road

Continue on Payson Hill Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Payson Hill Road

Turn right onto NH 119

2.3 mi · 4 min · NH Route 119

Continue on NH 119

3.0 mi · 4 min · Route 119

Continue on MA 119

3.3 mi · 4 min · Rindge State Road

Continue on MA 119

2.1 mi · 3 min · West State Road

Continue on MA 119

1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Turn slight left onto Turnpike Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Turnpike Road

Continue on Turnpike Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Turnpike Road

Continue on Ashby Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Ashby Road

At end of road, turn left onto MA 119

5.9 mi · 10 min · Main Street

Continue on MA 119

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Town Line Road

Continue on MA 119

3.7 mi · 6 min · South Road

Continue on MA 111; MA 119

2.3 mi · 5 min · Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 119; MA 225

3.9 mi · 6 min · Boston Road

Continue on MA 119

2.4 mi · 4 min · Great Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence

Merge onto I 495

40 mi · 47 min · I 495

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

6.7 mi · 7 min · I 95

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

7.8 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

1.9 mi · 2 min · Blue Star Turnpike

Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 7 Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Market Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Market Street

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

52 ft · 1 sec · Congress Street

Arrive at destination

US 1

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You won't need to schedule formal stops to manage fatigue, as the 2-hour and 12-minute duration is manageable for most drivers in one go. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate significantly between rural Rindge and the more urbanized Portsmouth area. To make the most of your time, try to avoid peak commuter hours on the highway portions, which can add unnecessary time to your journey. Since you will be navigating both interstates and local Main Street roads, stay alert for sudden changes in speed limits as you exit the highway to enter town.

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 45.9 miles from Rindge, NH, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 20 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, 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 91.8 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Rindge, NH.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boxborough, MA

46 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

Ayer, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lowell, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.9 miles from Rindge, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Dolce Amar Sweets to Love Bakery and cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Groton, Massachusetts

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19783999547

Visit website

Blackbird Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Groton, Massachusetts

0.7 mi

Bailey's Bar & Grille

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Townsend, Massachusetts

1.2 mi

Dolce Amar Sweets to Love Bakery and cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19783999547

Visit website

Blackbird Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19782721175

Visit website

Bailey's Bar & Grille

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 19.7

Townsend, Massachusetts

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+19788120200

Visit website

Hometown Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Rindge, New Hampshire

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16038993200

Cliff's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.7

Townsend, Massachusetts

Hours: 8:30 am–1 pm

+19785972782

Visit website

Sweet ‘n Salty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.7

Townsend, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+19783005612

Visit website

Johnson's Restaurant and Dairy Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19784486840

Visit website

Emma's 321 Pub & Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Rindge, New Hampshire

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16038993322

Visit website

Yum Yum Express

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 19.7

Brookline, New Hampshire

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16036722700

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 32.8

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 32.8

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 32.8

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 32.8

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

FLO Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 26.2

Groton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 39.3

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 59

Methuen, Massachusetts

Hours: 3:30–7:30 pm

+19786553379

Visit website

Seacoast Science Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 91.8

Rye, New Hampshire

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16034368043

Visit website

The Billiards Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 26.2

Ayer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+19787727665

Visit website

Custom House Maritime Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.1

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19784628681

Visit website

Rye Harbor State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 85.2

Rye, New Hampshire

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+16032278717

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.5 and 90.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

33.5 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence

33.8 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 495

Merge onto I 495

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

80.7 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

88.6 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in | I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...

90.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 7

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.78 one way

$29.56 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.50	$16.26	$32.52
premium	$4.86	$17.58	$35.16
diesel	$5.61	$20.27	$40.54

Estimated Tolls: $0.84

Blue Star Turnpike (9.8 mi) $0.69

Turnpike Road (2.1 mi) $0.15

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

$15

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.5	$9.64	$4.41
Efficient EV	23	$8.03	$3.67
EV Truck/SUV	36.7	$12.85	$5.88

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 16, 2026

Origin

Rindge, NH

Night in Rindge on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portsmouth, NH

Night in Portsmouth on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°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

15 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 12m 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?

Expect a drive that is heavily focused on highway travel, with 70% of your time spent cruising at higher speeds. You will encounter a mix of fast-paced interstate transit and local road transitions as you move toward your destination. The longest stretch you will face is a 40.3-mile segment on I-495, which allows for steady, consistent driving. While the road personality is largely defined by this interstate grind, the transition onto local Main Street segments provides a shift in pace as you approach the city. Overall, the experience is functional and predictable, keeping you moving steadily toward the New Hampshire coast.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 40.3 mi on I 495.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Blue Star Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 91.8 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 33.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.8 miles (I 495): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles (I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Portsmouth, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.

Lawrence

33.5 mi in | ~1h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 91.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.3 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.84 in tolls one way, starting with Blue Star 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 Portsmouth, 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portsmouth, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Rindge, NH or browse trips ending in Portsmouth, NH.

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Trip from Rindge, NH to Portsmouth, NH

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Dolce Amar Sweets to Love Bakery and cafe

Dolce Amar Sweets to Love Bakery and cafe

Blackbird Cafe

Bailey's Bar & Grille

Hometown Diner

Cliff's Cafe

Sweet ‘n Salty

Johnson's Restaurant and Dairy Bar

Emma's 321 Pub & Kitchen

Yum Yum Express

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

FLO Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen

Seacoast Science Center

The Billiards Cafe

Custom House Maritime Museum

Rye Harbor State Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Rindge, NH

Portsmouth, NH

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 12m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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