Rochester, NH to Rindge, NH is 85.9 miles and takes about 2h 16m via NH 101 and Calef Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same region. The route offers a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, it's an easy drive that doesn't require extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NH 101
43.5 mi
58m
Calef Highway
17.3 mi
27m
Gibbons Highway
4.6 mi
7m
West Road
3.1 mi
7m
Turnpike Road
3.1 mi
4m
Cathedral Road
2.9 mi
5m
General Miller Highway
2.1 mi
4m
Gonic Road
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
NH 101
— 43.5 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-293
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,588 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.6×
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 Rochester, NH and Rindge, NH.
1
Start on this road
55 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Museum Way
0.1 mi·19 sec·Museum Way
3
Turn right onto NH 125
1.6 mi·4 min·Columbus Avenue
4
Continue on NH 125
1.9 mi·3 min·Gonic Road
5
Continue on NH 125
7.7 mi·12 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto NH 125
165 ft·4 sec·Calef Highway
7
Continue on NH 125
9.6 mi·14 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto NH 101
20 mi·23 min·NH 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 101
3.3 mi·4 min·NH 101
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Manchester, BedfordUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 101
2.2 mi·3 min·NH 101
Toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
12
Turn left onto NH 101
0.4 mi·48 sec·NH 101
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on NH 101
17 mi·25 min·NH 101
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn left onto NH 101
1.4 mi·2 min·Elm Street
15
Continue on NH 101
4.6 mi·7 min·Gibbons Highway
16
Turn left onto Temple Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Temple Road
17
Continue on General Miller Highway
2.0 mi·4 min·General Miller Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto General Miller Highway
0.1 mi·19 sec·General Miller Highway
19
Turn left onto NH 45
123 ft·2 sec·Senator Tobey Highway
20
Turn slight right onto West Road
3.1 mi·7 min·West Road
21
Continue on Nashua Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Nashua Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto NH 124
3.1 mi·4 min·Turnpike Road
23
Turn left onto Prescott Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Prescott Road
24
Turn straight onto Squantum Road
246 ft·6 sec·Squantum Road
25
Continue on Cathedral Road
2.9 mi·5 min·Cathedral Road
26
Continue on Payson Hill Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·Payson Hill Road
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart. Consider leaving Rochester, NH in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch without a significant break is 43.5 miles on NH 101, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you haven't refueled recently. Given the $16 estimated fuel cost, it's a budget-friendly trip, but it's always wise to top off your tank before heading out. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan for brief breaks as needed on the surface road portions.
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 42.9 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rindge, 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.
+
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 Rochester, NH
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Rochester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NH 101 for about 43.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 44.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Museum Way
Turn right onto Museum Way
Navigation decision point
5
20.9 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
21.3 mi into trip|~36m in|NH 101
Merge onto NH 101
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
41.6 mi into trip|~1h in|NH 101
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 101 toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Airport, Manchester, Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 293 North, NH 101 West: Manchester Air...
6
44.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|NH 101
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 101 toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NH 101 West: Bedford, Nashua
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.18 one way
$30.37 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$16.63
$33.26
premium
$5.29
$17.89
$35.77
diesel
$5.35
$18.09
$36.19
Estimated Tolls: $0.21
Turnpike Road
(3.1 mi)$0.21
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rindge, NH
Afternoon
in Rindge on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph6% 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
9 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 16m 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 drive is a mixed bag, with 54% of it on highways. You'll experience a 43.5-mile stretch on NH 101 before transitioning to surface roads like Calef Highway and Gibbons Highway. Expect a noticeable shift from faster highway speeds to more local cruising as you leave the main highway. The highway portion likely involves more consistent speeds and potentially more traffic, while the surface road sections will feel more connected to the surrounding towns and landscape.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.5 mi on NH 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near Museum Way.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 85.9 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: near the start (Museum Way): Navigation decision point; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (NH 101): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,302 ft141 ft
Total Climb
1,313 ft
Total Descent
240 ft
Highest Point
1,302 ft
~85.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,160 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 Rindge, NH, road signs point toward Manchester, Bedford and Nashua.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 85.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.5 miles on NH 101. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.21 in tolls one way, starting with Turnpike Road. 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 Rindge, 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Museum Way): Navigation decision point; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (NH 101): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rindge, NH before heading back.
