If you are planning a trip from Washington to Rochester, New Hampshire, expect a 71.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to complete the transit without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Because the drive is straightforward and relatively short, it offers a manageable transition between these inland and eastern areas of the state. It is an ideal choice if you prefer a direct, no-fuss trip that keeps you behind the wheel for under two hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Washington, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Franklin Pierce Highway
16.3 mi
22m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
I 89
8.3 mi
10m
Washington Street
7.6 mi
14m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.1 mi
11m
South Main Street
4.4 mi
8m
I 393
4.4 mi
6m
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 16.3 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, NH and Rochester, NH.
1
Start on NH 31
4.3 mi·8 min·South Main Street
2
Continue on NH 31
0.9 mi·1 min·State Road
3
Continue on NH 31
3.9 mi·6 min·2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
4
Turn left onto NH 9
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Main Street
5
Turn straight onto NH 9
16 mi·22 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 89
8.3 mi·10 min·I 89
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto NH 3A
0.3 mi·41 sec·Route 3-A
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on NH 3A
420 ft·10 sec·South Main Street
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 93 North
10
Merge onto I 93
1.7 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
11
Continue on I 93
0.5 mi·42 sec·Styles Bridges Highway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 15EToward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
13
Merge onto I 393; US 4; US 202
4.4 mi·6 min·I 393; US 4; US 202
14
Continue on NH 9; US 4; US 202
0.2 mi·17 sec·Loudon Road
15
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.9 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
251 ft·6 sec·Dover Road
17
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.3 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
7.1 mi·11 min·First New Hampshire Turnpike
19
Turn left onto US 202; NH 9
1.4 mi·2 min·Rochester Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 202; NH 9
3.6 mi·6 min·Barrington Road
21
Turn left onto US 202
7.6 mi·14 min·Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on NH 202A
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn slight left
150 ft·4 sec
24
Turn slight left onto NH 202A
136 ft·5 sec·Wakefield Street
25
Turn right onto Museum Way
120 ft·5 sec·Museum Way
26
Turn right
55 ft·4 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 71.5-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily complete the trip in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $11 estimated cost. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition between the secondary roads and the I-89 highway segments. Because the drive is under two hours, you can prioritize convenience, but try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure your time on the road remains consistent with the 1h 54m estimate. Use the 16.3-mile stretch on the Franklin Pierce Highway to settle into your cruising pace before reaching the interstate portion of your journey.
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 35.7 miles from Washington, NH, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 52m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochester, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Washington, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington, NH
This is one driving day of about 71.5 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Washington, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Franklin Pierce Highway for about 16.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.7 and 63.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.7 mi into trip|~39m in|I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
34 mi into trip|~49m in|NH 3A / Route 3-A
Turn left onto NH 3A / Route 3-A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
37.1 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15E
Toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loud...
6
58.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 202; NH 9 / Rochester Road
Turn left onto US 202; NH 9 / Rochester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 202 / Washington Street
Turn left onto US 202 / Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.51 one way
$23.02 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$12.66
$25.33
premium
$4.86
$13.69
$27.38
diesel
$5.61
$15.79
$31.57
Estimated Tolls: $0.89
First New Hampshire Turnpike
(7.1 mi)$0.50
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
(3.9 mi)$0.27
Everett Turnpike
(1.7 mi)$0.12
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
$12
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: 25 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
21.5
0
$7.51
$3.43
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.26
$2.86
EV Truck/SUV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.58
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Washington, NH
Late night
in Washington on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rochester, NH
Late night
in Rochester on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
2 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 54m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning between local roads and faster thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the Franklin Pierce Highway, Dover Road, and I-89, with highways accounting for 36% of your total mileage. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as the road shifts from regional connectors to interstate driving. The longest continuous stretch you will encounter is a 16.3-mile segment along the Franklin Pierce Highway. By blending these different road types, the route keeps you engaged without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.3 mi on Franklin Pierce Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.7 miles in near I 89.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 25.7 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,499 ft229 ft
Total Climb
578 ft
Total Descent
1,849 ft
Highest Point
1,499 ft
Elevation Range
1,270 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 Washington, NH to Rochester, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Portsmouth along the way.
Portsmouth
37.1 mi in|~54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 71.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). 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 16.3 miles on Franklin Pierce Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.89 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 Rochester, 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 25.7 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 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 Rochester, NH before heading back.
