Rochester, NH to Swanzey, NH is 93.6 miles and takes about 2h 26m via US 202 and Route 9, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a manageable drive that mixes highway cruising with surface road travel, making it suitable for a single day. You'll want to factor in the estimated fuel cost of $15 for this 93.6-mile stretch. This is a straightforward route for anyone looking to travel between these two New Hampshire locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 202
15.5 mi
21m
Route 9
11.9 mi
16m
Washington Street
9.3 mi
18m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
7.8 mi
9m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.1 mi
11m
Franklin Pierce Highway
6.8 mi
10m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 202
— 15.5 mi, about 21m
Traffic on I-89
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,961
Quietest
1 AM
~85 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 78 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 Swanzey, 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
15 mi·21 min·US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on NH 9
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
24
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
5.7 mi·8 min·Keene Road
25
Continue on NH 9
6.7 mi·9 min·Route 9
26
Continue on NH 9
3.3 mi·4 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
27
Continue on NH 9
1.8 mi·2 min·Route 9
28
Continue on NH 9
1.5 mi·2 min·NH Route 9
29
Continue on NH 9
3.4 mi·4 min·Route 9
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto Washington Street
1.7 mi·4 min·Washington Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Central Square
218 ft·7 sec·Central Square
32
Continue on Central Square
248 ft·7 sec·Central Square
33
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
34
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
123 ft·2 sec·Main Street
35
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto NH 32
3.0 mi·5 min·Old Homestead Highway
37
Enter roundabout onto NH 32
175 ft·3 sec·Old Homestead Highway
38
Continue on NH 32
0.3 mi·31 sec·Old Homestead Highway
39
Arrive at destination
NH 32
Trip Plan
Given this route takes just over two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient for you. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential spontaneous stops, though none are listed as mandatory. The longest continuous stretch is 15.5 miles on US 202, so plan your fuel needs accordingly, especially since the estimated cost is around $15. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the highway sections and surface roads like Route 9 and Washington Street. This drive is easily completed in one day, so no overnight accommodations are necessary.
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 46.8 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.5 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 21 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 1h 15m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swanzey, 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 93.6 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 15.5 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 23
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.19
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Rochester, NH
Evening
in Rochester on Sunday
Local time
5:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
25°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Swanzey, NH
Evening
in Swanzey on Sunday
Local time
5:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
22°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
36°F
Concord, NH
47 mi in
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
3 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 26m 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?
About 55% of this route is on highways, with the remaining 45% on surface roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 15.5 miles on US 202 before transitioning to other roads. Expect to see a mix of highway driving and local road navigation, with a notable segment on Washington Street. This profile suggests periods of faster travel followed by slower speeds as you pass through towns and villages.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.5 mi on US 202.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 93.6 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 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
1,298 ft222 ft
Total Climb
1,478 ft
Total Descent
1,214 ft
Highest Point
1,298 ft
~73.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,076 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 Swanzey, NH, road signs point toward Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont and Keene.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 93.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.5 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 Swanzey, 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: 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 Swanzey, NH before heading back.
