This 79.7-mile drive from Thornton to Derry Village, New Hampshire, is a manageable 1 hour and 37 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily navigate Styles Bridges Highway and the Everett Turnpike, with 23% of the journey on highways. Anticipate a fuel cost of around $13 for this route. Given its relatively short duration and its placement within the Northeast region, this drive offers a straightforward transit between two points in New Hampshire without requiring an overnight stay. It's a practical option for a single day's travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Thornton, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
34.9 mi
37m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Everett Turnpike
10.9 mi
13m
I 93
7.7 mi
9m
Alan B Shepard Highway
4 mi
5m
Rockingham Road
2.4 mi
5m
Daniel Webster Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Manchester Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 34.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton, NH and Derry Village, NH.
1
Start on US 3
1.9 mi·2 min·Daniel Webster Highway
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 93 South
3
Merge onto I 93
34 mi·36 min·Styles Bridges Highway
4
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
5
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
6
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
7.7 mi·9 min·I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
4.0 mi·5 min·Alan B Shepard Highway
Toward I 93 South: Derry, BostonUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 5Toward NH 28: North Londonderry
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
12
Turn left onto NH 28
2.4 mi·5 min·Rockingham Road
13
Continue on NH 28
0.8 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
14
Turn sharp left onto Tsienneto Road
447 ft·26 sec·Tsienneto Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Pinkerton Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Pinkerton Street
16
Turn right onto NH 28 Bypass
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Main Street
17
Enter roundabout onto NH 28 Bypass
161 ft·4 sec·South Main Street
18
Continue on NH 28 Bypass
80 ft·3 sec·South Main Street
19
Turn right
73 ft·5 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 1 hour and 37 minutes, this 79.7-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving before peak traffic hours to make the most of the 23% highway sections. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel and stretch break around the halfway point, perhaps near the end of the 34.9-mile stretch on Styles Bridges Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $13 is quite reasonable, so don't stress too much about refueling stops unless your tank is low.
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 39.9 miles from Thornton, NH, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.9 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 18 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 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 Derry Village, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thornton, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Thornton, NH
This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Thornton, 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 34.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.5 and 79.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
8
71.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
5
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward NH 28: North Londonderry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 5
Toward NH 28: North Londonderry
6
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|NH 28 Bypass / South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto NH 28 Bypass / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.83 one way
$25.66 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$14.12
$28.23
premium
$4.86
$15.26
$30.52
diesel
$5.61
$17.60
$35.19
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
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
$13
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: 27.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.9
0
$8.37
$3.83
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.97
$3.19
EV Truck/SUV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Thornton, NH
Night
in Thornton on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Derry Village, NH
Night
in Derry Village on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 79.7-mile journey. While 23% of the route utilizes highways like the Everett Turnpike, the majority will feel more like navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 34.9 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. This suggests a driving experience that involves frequent changes in direction and potentially varying speed limits, rather than a consistent highway cruise. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.9 mi on Styles Bridges Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.5 miles in near I 93 / Everett Turnpike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 61.5 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.2 miles (I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
734 ft244 ft
Total Climb
638 ft
Total Descent
992 ft
Highest Point
734 ft
~22.8 mi in
Elevation Range
490 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 Thornton, NH to Derry Village, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
63.5 mi in|~1h 11m|via I 93
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 79.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.9 miles on Styles Bridges Highway. 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 Derry Village, 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 61.5 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.2 miles (I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Derry Village, NH before heading back.
