Rochester, NH to Bennington, NH is 69.8 miles and takes about 1h 49m via US 202 and I 89, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, primarily highway-focused trip that's well-suited for a single day. Expect a fairly direct journey with minimal complexity, making it an easy option if you're looking for a short, efficient drive between these two points. The total travel time is under two hours, so you'll have plenty of time to explore your destination upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
22.1 mi
32m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
7.8 mi
9m
Washington Street
7.7 mi
14m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.1 mi
11m
I 393
4.9 mi
7m
Franklin Pierce Highway
3.6 mi
6m
Everett Turnpike
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 22.1 mi, about 32m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,385 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,924
Quietest
1 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Rochester, NH and Bennington, NH.
1
Start on this road
51 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Hanson Street
247 ft·15 sec·Hanson Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto NH 202A
0.1 mi·23 sec·Wakefield Street
4
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 202A
0.2 mi·27 sec·NH 202A
5
Turn right onto NH 202A
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Main Street
6
Enter roundabout onto Washington Street
170 ft·3 sec·Washington Street
7
Continue on Washington Street
7.6 mi·14 min·Washington Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 202; NH 9
3.6 mi·6 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
9
Continue on US 202; NH 9
1.4 mi·2 min·Rochester Road
10
Turn right onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
7.1 mi·11 min·First New Hampshire Turnpike
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
4.3 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
265 ft·6 sec·Dover Road
13
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.9 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 393; US 4; US 202
4.6 mi·6 min·I 393; US 4; US 202
15
Continue on I 393; US 202
0.2 mi·24 sec·I 393; US 202
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
17
Merge onto I 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
18
Continue on I 93
2.5 mi·3 min·Everett Turnpike
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction VermontUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 89
7.8 mi·9 min·I 89
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
22
Continue on US 202; NH 9
14 mi·18 min·US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto US 202
8.4 mi·13 min·US 202
Toward US 202 West: Peterborough
24
Turn left onto Antrim Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Antrim Road
25
Arrive at destination
Antrim Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 49 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. With only 69.8 miles, you won't need to worry too much about extensive stops, though planning a quick break around the halfway point might be comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $11, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. A good tip for this specific route is to be aware of the 22.1-mile stretch on US 202; knowing this longer segment is coming can help you mentally prepare for a continuous drive without needing to navigate frequent turns.
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 34.9 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.1 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 1h 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennington, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rochester, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rochester, NH
This is one driving day of about 69.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Rochester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 202 for about 22.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 46.2 — 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|NH 202A / Wakefield Street
At end of road, turn right onto NH 202A / Wakefield Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
13.3 mi into trip|~25m in|US 4; US 202; NH 9 / First New Hampshire Turnpike
Turn right onto US 4; US 202; NH 9 / First New Hampshire Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.4 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South: Manchester, Lebanon
7
38 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.33
$3.35
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.11
$2.79
EV Truck/SUV
27.9
0
$9.77
$4.47
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Rochester, NH
Afternoon
in Rochester on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bennington, NH
Afternoon
in Bennington on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph10% chanceLive 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
1h 49m 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 largely highway-focused, with 64% of the journey utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 22.1 miles on US 202, offering a good amount of uninterrupted driving. The road character shifts from what's likely local roads in Rochester to more open highway travel as you progress towards Bennington. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it easy to maintain speed and cover ground efficiently. The mix of highway and other main roads provides a balanced driving experience.
64% 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: 22.1 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 202 and Dover Road. 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 NH 202A / Wakefield 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 69.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 (NH 202A / Wakefield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 13.3 miles (US 4; US 202; NH 9 / First New Hampshire Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
775 ft229 ft
Total Climb
1,084 ft
Total Descent
654 ft
Highest Point
775 ft
~15 mi in
Elevation Range
546 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rochester, NH and Bennington, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont and Keene.
Lebanon
34.4 mi in|~59m
White River Junction Vermont
38 mi in|~1h 4m
Keene
46.2 mi in|~1h 14m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 69.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.1 miles on US 202. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.68 in tolls one way, starting with First New Hampshire 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 Bennington, 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 (NH 202A / Wakefield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 13.3 miles (US 4; US 202; NH 9 / First New Hampshire Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bennington, NH before heading back.
