Origin
Salem, NH
Late night in Salem on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, NH to Washington, NH
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
68.8 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
Washington, NH
Townsend Walton
Trip Overview
Salem, NH to Washington, NH is 68.8 miles and takes about 1h 35m via I 93 and US 202, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays entirely within New Hampshire, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick getaway or an easy connection between two points in the Northeast. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a straightforward drive for most of the way. With its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.4 miles from Salem, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 93 | 24.4 mi | 29m |
| US 202 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| I 89 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Everett Turnpike | 7 mi | 8m |
| South Main Street | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| State Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 93
— 24.4 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NH and Washington, 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 North
Use 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
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Everett Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 89
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 89
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5
Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
12
Continue on US 202; NH 9
15 mi
·
21 min
·
US 202; NH 9
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on NH 9
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Turn right onto NH 31
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
15
Continue on NH 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road
16
Continue on NH 31
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
South Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
NH 31
Trip Plan
Given the modest 1 hour and 35-minute drive time, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight for any activities upon reaching Washington, NH. The fuel cost is estimated at around $11, so check your tank before you leave Salem, NH, though you likely won't need to stop for gas. Since this is a short route with no designated stops, you can easily adjust your pace and take spontaneous breaks if needed. Pay attention to the transition from highway driving on I 93 and I 89 to US 202 as you get closer to Washington, NH.
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 34.4 miles from Salem, NH, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.4 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.4 miles or 44m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 68.8 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Salem, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 93 for about 24.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.4 miles from Salem, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 43.1 — 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
8
34.8 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junctio...
6
43.1 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
$11.08 one way
$22.15 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $12.19 | $24.37 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.17 | $26.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.19 | $30.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Everett Turnpike
(7 mi)
$0.49
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
(3.9 mi)
$0.27
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.02 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Washington, NH
Late night in Washington on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Concord, NH
34 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
1h 35m 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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$10
near mile 68.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 85% of the 68.8 miles spent on major roads like I 93 and I 89. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 24.4 miles on I 93. Expect to transition from the interstate system to surface roads as you approach your destination, offering a change of pace from the higher-speed cruising.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.4 mi on I 93.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 93 and US 202. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,499 ft
130 ft
Total Climb
1,500 ft
Total Descent
130 ft
Highest Point
1,499 ft
~68.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,370 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 Salem, NH and Washington, NH, road signs point toward Plymouth, White River Junction Vermont and Keene.
Plymouth
20.2 mi in
|
~27m
|
via I 93
White River Junction Vermont
34.3 mi in
|
~44m
Keene
43.1 mi in
|
~56m
About the Cities
Starting in Salem, NH
Full guide →Salem is a city in New Hampshire.
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 68.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.4 miles on I 93. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 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.
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 Washington, 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 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 — 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 Washington, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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