Rochester, NH to Newbury, NH is 71.3 miles and takes about 1h 51m via I 89, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New Hampshire, moving you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Given the relatively short distance and time, this route is best suited for a single-day trip. The mix of highway and surface roads offers a varied driving experience without being overly demanding. It's a straightforward connection for those looking to travel between these two points efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
19.9 mi
23m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
Warner Road
8.1 mi
14m
Washington Street
7.7 mi
14m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.1 mi
11m
I 393
4.9 mi
7m
State Route 103
4.8 mi
7m
Franklin Pierce Highway
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 19.9 mi, about 23m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,693 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,154
Quietest
1 AM
~64 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
26.5×
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 Newbury, 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
20 mi·23 min·I 89
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward NH 103: Warner, Bradford
22
Keep slight right at fork
164 ft·4 sec
23
Turn right onto NH 103
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 103
24
Continue on NH 103
8.1 mi·14 min·Warner Road
25
Turn right onto State Route 103A
143 ft·2 sec·State Route 103A
26
Arrive at destination
NH 103A
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of any commuter traffic. You can comfortably complete this trip in one go, but if you prefer to stretch your legs, consider a brief stop about halfway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $13 cost suggests a straightforward fuel-up, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Rochester. The transition from highway to surface roads means you'll need to be more aware of local speed limits and traffic patterns as you get closer to Newbury.
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 35.6 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 16 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 Newbury, 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 71.3 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Rochester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 19.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 58.2 — 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
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward NH 103: Warner, Bradford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward NH 103: Warner, Bradford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.60 one way
$25.21 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$13.81
$27.61
premium
$5.29
$14.85
$29.69
diesel
$5.35
$15.02
$30.04
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
$13
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: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.49
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.24
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newbury, NH
Afternoon
in Newbury on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph15% 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
13 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 51m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Your National Park for the Arts preserves the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Here stories flow through a landscape of inspiration. Discover the history behind the capt...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
$10
near mile 71.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 55% of this 71.3-mile drive on the highway, primarily I 89. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 19.9 miles. Expect a transition from highway cruising to surface roads like Dover Road and Warner Road. The highway portion offers a consistent pace, while the surface roads will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.9 mi on I 89.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 71.3 miles you will encounter 19 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
1,103 ft229 ft
Total Climb
1,546 ft
Total Descent
672 ft
Highest Point
1,103 ft
~71.3 mi in
Elevation Range
874 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 Newbury, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont and Bradford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 71.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.9 miles on I 89. 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 Newbury, 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 — Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Newbury, NH before heading back.
