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Trip from Rochester, NH to Bennington, NH

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

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

69.8 mi

112 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m

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

city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States

Rochester, NH

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bennington, NH, NH

Bennington, NH

Matt Barnard

Trip Overview

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

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 Vermont Use 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 5 Toward 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.

town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chichester, NH

35 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

Northwood, NH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Concord, NH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Rochester, 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.

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

Exit 5 Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.24 one way

$22.47 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $12.36 $24.73
premium $4.86 $13.37 $26.73
diesel $5.61 $15.41 $30.82

Estimated Tolls: $0.68

First New Hampshire Turnpike (7.1 mi) $0.50
Everett Turnpike (2.5 mi) $0.18

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

$11

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Rochester, NH

Night in Rochester on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bennington, NH

Night in Bennington on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

4 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

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?

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 Effort 10/10

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.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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.

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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