Spanning 75.3 miles, this trek from Salem to Ashland is a straightforward journey through New Hampshire that typically takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this is an ideal day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the transit. The route primarily utilizes Main Street, Pelham Road, and I-93 North to navigate through the Northeast region. It serves as a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to move between these two points in the state. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or visiting family, this drive offers a balanced pace for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Salem, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
36.2 mi
39m
I 93
24.4 mi
29m
Everett Turnpike
10.2 mi
12m
Main Street
2.7 mi
6m
Sen Styles Bridges Highway
0.7 mi
<1m
Pelham Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Daniel Webster Highway
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 36.2 mi, about 39m
Traffic on I-93
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,701 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,324
Quietest
2 AM
~136 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.2×
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 Salem, NH and Ashland, NH.
1
Start on this road
113 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto NH 97
2.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
3
Continue on Pelham Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Pelham Road
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 NorthUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 93
17 mi·20 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
7.1 mi·8 min·I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
10 mi·12 min·Everett Turnpike
8
Continue on I 93
17 mi·19 min·Styles Bridges Highway
9
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·46 sec·Sen Styles Bridges Highway
10
Continue on I 93
19 mi·20 min·Styles Bridges Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 24Toward US 3, NH 25: Ashland, Holderness
12
Keep slight right at fork
283 ft·6 sec
13
Turn slight right onto US 3; NH 25
386 ft·9 sec·Daniel Webster Highway
14
Continue on US 3; NH 25
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
15
Continue on NH 132
129 ft·5 sec·Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
NH 132
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can make the 1 hour and 31 minute duration feel more active than a standard interstate drive. You won't need to plan for major stops, but it is wise to ensure your tank is ready for the $12 fuel expense before leaving Salem. Focus on navigating the turns of Pelham Road and Main Street carefully, as these local stretches require more attention than typical highway driving. Enjoy the advantage of a direct route that gets you to your destination without the need for complex multi-day planning.
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 37.6 miles from Salem, NH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 48m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salem, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Salem, NH
This is one driving day of about 75.3 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Salem, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 36.2 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 74.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 93 North
5
2.9 mi into trip|~7m in|I 93
Merge onto I 93
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
20.2 mi into trip|~27m in|I 93
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 3, NH 25: Ashland, Holderness
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 24
Toward US 3, NH 25: Ashland, Holderness
5
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.57 one way
$27.15 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.98
$14.76
$29.53
premium
$5.35
$15.87
$31.74
diesel
$5.52
$16.37
$32.75
Estimated Tolls: $0.71
Everett Turnpike
(10.2 mi)$0.71
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
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-25.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.61
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.59
$3.01
EV Truck/SUV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 3, 2026
Origin
Salem, NH
Afternoon
in Salem on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ashland, NH
Afternoon
in Ashland on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
72°F
Manchester, NH
38 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
1 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
1h 31m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features zero highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads like Main Street and Pelham Road, which keep you engaged behind the wheel. The personality of this trip is defined by its winding, technical nature rather than high-speed interstate stretches. Because the entire 75.3-mile distance is comprised of local navigation, you will rarely experience long, uninterrupted segments. Be prepared to focus on your surroundings as you transition from the southern part of the state toward Ashland.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.2 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 31m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 93): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
717 ft130 ft
Total Climb
938 ft
Total Descent
505 ft
Highest Point
717 ft
~59.2 mi in
Elevation Range
588 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Salem, NH to Ashland, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Plymouth along the way.
Plymouth
20.2 mi in|~27m|via I 93
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.2 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.71 in tolls one way, starting with Everett 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.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 93): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ashland, NH before heading back.
