Origin
Rochester, NH
Late night in Rochester on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rochester, NH to Unity, NH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
84.7 mi
136 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rochester, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Unity, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Rochester, NH to Unity, NH covers 84.7 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 202, Dover Road, I 89 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.5 miles on US 202. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.3 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 202 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| 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 |
| 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike | 5.4 mi | 10m |
| I 393 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| South Main Street | 4.5 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Unity, 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
15 mi
·
21 min
·
US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on NH 9
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Main Street
24
Turn right onto NH 31
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
25
Continue on NH 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road
26
Continue on NH 31
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
South Main Street
27
Turn left onto Lempster Mountain Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Lempster Mountain Road
28
Continue on Mountain Road
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Mountain Road
29
Continue on 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
30
Continue on Lempster Street
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Lempster Street
31
Continue on 2nd NH Turnpike
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
2nd NH Turnpike
32
Arrive at destination
2nd NH Turnpike
Trip Plan
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 42.3 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 1h 10m 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 19 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Unity, 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 84.7 miles and 2h 19m.
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 US 202 for about 15.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.3 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 185 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
$14.11 one way
$28.22 round trip
$4.23/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.70 | $15.66 | $31.31 |
| premium | $5.07 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $18.67 | $37.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
First New Hampshire Turnpike
(7.1 mi)
$0.50
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
(3.9 mi)
$0.27
Everett Turnpike
(2.5 mi)
$0.18
2nd NH Turnpike
(2.1 mi)
$0.14
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
(1.5 mi)
$0.11
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.89 | $4.07 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
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.
Destination
Unity, NH
Late night in Unity on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
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 19m 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.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$10
near mile 84.7
Park Closure: Construction at Blow-Me-Down Mill
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
84.7 mi in 2h 19m — 53% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: US 202.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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 Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 84.7 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
1,578 ft
229 ft
Total Climb
1,668 ft
Total Descent
431 ft
Highest Point
1,578 ft
~72.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,349 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Unity, 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
About the Cities
Arriving in Unity, NH
Full guide →Founded 1764
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 84.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). 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 15.5 miles on US 202. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.20 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 Unity, 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 — 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 Unity, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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