This 61.9-mile drive from Wakefield, NH to Manchester, NH is a manageable trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 31 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes NH 101 and Calef Highway, with a portion on the Spaulding Turnpike, offering a mixed driving experience. Since the origin and destination are both within New Hampshire in the Northeast region, you won't be crossing any major regional boundaries. This journey is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31 miles from Wakefield, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NH 101
18.4 mi
21m
Calef Highway
17.3 mi
27m
Spaulding Turnpike
14.4 mi
19m
Wakefield Road
3.4 mi
6m
White Mountain Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Gonic Road
1.7 mi
3m
Bridge Street
1.1 mi
2m
Exit 12
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NH 101
— 18.4 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield, NH and Manchester, NH.
1
Start on this road
173 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NH 153
3.4 mi·6 min·Wakefield Road
3
Take the ramp
185 ft·10 sec
4
Turn left onto NH 16
3.2 mi·4 min·White Mountain Highway
5
Continue on NH 16
14 mi·19 min·Spaulding Turnpike
6
Take the exit onto Exit 12
0.3 mi·52 sec·Exit 12
Exit 12Toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Exit 12
443 ft·17 sec·Exit 12
8
Merge onto NH 125
1.7 mi·3 min·Gonic Road
9
Continue on NH 125
7.7 mi·12 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto NH 125
165 ft·4 sec·Calef Highway
11
Continue on NH 125
9.6 mi·14 min·Calef Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NH 101
18 mi·21 min·NH 101
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Toward I 93 North: ConcordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 93
0.3 mi·23 sec·I 93
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 8Toward Wellington Road, Bridge Street
17
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·13 sec
18
Turn straight onto Wellington Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Wellington Road
19
Continue on Bridge Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Bridge Street
20
Arrive at destination
Bridge Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1-hour and 31-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in either Wakefield or Manchester. While no specific stops are noted, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 18.4-mile stretch on NH 101, as services might be less frequent there. The estimated fuel cost of $10 is quite low, so you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this trip within New Hampshire.
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 31 miles from Wakefield, NH, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.4 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 14 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wakefield, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wakefield, NH
This is one driving day of about 61.9 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Wakefield, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NH 101 for about 18.4 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 21.1 and 60 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.1 mi into trip|~31m in|Exit 12
Take the exit onto Exit 12 toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NH 125: Rochester, Gonic
5
21.4 mi into trip|~32m in|Exit 12
Keep slight right at fork onto Exit 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
40.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 93 North: Concord
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 93 North: Concord
6
60 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Wellington Road, Bridge Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 8
Toward Wellington Road, Bridge Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.96 one way
$19.93 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$10.96
$21.93
premium
$4.86
$11.85
$23.71
diesel
$5.61
$13.67
$27.33
Estimated Tolls: $1.01
Spaulding Turnpike
(14.4 mi)$1.01
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
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
Efficient EV
15.5
0
$5.42
$2.48
EV Truck/SUV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Wakefield, NH
Late night
in Wakefield on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manchester, NH
Late night
in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Barrington, NH
31 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 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 31m 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 varied driving experience on this 61.9-mile route, with 53% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18.4 miles along NH 101. The drive transitions between different road types, so be prepared for shifts in speed and environment. This means you'll experience both faster highway segments and potentially more local road driving as you progress toward Manchester. It's a profile that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.4 mi on NH 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 21.1 miles in near Exit 12.
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 61.9 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 21.1 miles (Exit 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles (Exit 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft121 ft
Total Climb
296 ft
Total Descent
710 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
Elevation Range
547 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 Wakefield, NH to Manchester, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Gonic along the way.
Gonic
21.1 mi in|~31m|via Exit 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 61.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.4 miles on NH 101. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.01 in tolls one way, starting with Spaulding 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 Manchester, 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 21.1 miles (Exit 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles (Exit 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Manchester, NH before heading back.
