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Trip from Winchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

120.1 mi

193 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States

Winchester, NH

Wikimedia Commons

city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States

Portsmouth, NH

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 120.1 miles across the Northeast, this drive connects Winchester to Portsmouth in approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, leaving you plenty of time to settle in once you arrive. You should budget about $19 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-495, the Concord Turnpike, and MA 140, it prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for travelers who prefer a direct path between these two New Hampshire points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

60.1 miles from Winchester, NH

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 495 42.9 mi 50m
Concord Turnpike 12.3 mi 16m
MA 140 11.7 mi 17m
Blue Star Turnpike 9.8 mi 11m
I 95 6.7 mi 7m
Green Street 6.2 mi 7m
Fitzwilliam Road 3.5 mi 6m
Gardner Road 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 495 — 42.9 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winchester, NH and Portsmouth, NH.

1

Start on NH 119

2.9 mi · 6 min · Richmond Road
2

Continue on NH 119

3.3 mi · 5 min · Winchester Road
3

Continue on NH 119

3.5 mi · 6 min · Fitzwilliam Road
4

Continue on NH 119

3.0 mi · 5 min · State Route 119
5

Turn slight left onto Columbia Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Columbia Road
6

At end of road, turn left onto NH 119

1.0 mi · 2 min · NH Route 119 West
7

Turn right onto NH 119

0.3 mi · 43 sec · NH Route 119 West
8

Turn slight right onto NH 12

2.6 mi · 2 min · NH Route 12 South
9

Continue on NH 12

2.9 mi · 3 min · State Route 12
10

Continue on MA 12

3.0 mi · 3 min · School Street
11

Turn left onto US 202; MA 12

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Front Street
12

Turn slight left onto Spring Street

2.3 mi · 2 min · Spring Street
13

Continue on MA 12

3.4 mi · 3 min · Gardner Road
14

Continue on MA 140

6.2 mi · 7 min · Green Street
15

Take the exit onto MA 140

12 mi · 17 min · MA 140
16

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2

12 mi · 16 min · Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 113B Toward I 495 North: Lowell Use the right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
19

Merge onto I 495

43 mi · 50 min · I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 95

6.7 mi · 7 min · I 95
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

7.8 mi · 9 min · Blue Star Turnpike
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

1.9 mi · 2 min · Blue Star Turnpike
Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 7 Use the slight right lane.
24

Turn right onto Market Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Market Street
Use the right lane.
25

At end of road, turn right onto US 1

52 ft · 1 sec · Congress Street
26

Arrive at destination

US 1

Trip Plan

With a total duration under three hours, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip lodging. We recommend incorporating at least one stop to break up the drive, especially during the longer segments on I-495. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $19 estimate can fluctuate based on local pricing at the pump. Since the majority of your time is spent on major roads, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain your projected arrival time. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS before hitting the transitions between the Concord Turnpike and the secondary roads, as highway navigation can change quickly.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.1 miles from Winchester, NH, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.9 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 26 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.1 miles or 1h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, NH than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Winchester, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Winchester, NH

This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Winchester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 42.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fitchburg, MA

60 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

Gardner, MA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stow, MA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Winchester, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

99 Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+19783430099

Visit website

Summer St. Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

1.7 mi

Cozy Corner Coffee Shoppe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Rise & Grind Cafe Fitchburg

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19785030899

Visit website

Identity Coffee Co.

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

2 mi

Oliver’s Café By The Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fitchburg, MA

2.4 mi

99 Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+19783430099

Visit website

Summer St. Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

+19785166919

Visit website

Cozy Corner Coffee Shoppe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+19783433469

Dario's Ristorante

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 4–10 pm

+19786273974

Visit website

Canteen Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51.5

Devens, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Gene & Steve's Airport Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+19787284473

The Outlaw Kitchen,Brewery and Gourmet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Winchester, New Hampshire

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19787518606

Visit website

Rise & Grind Cafe Fitchburg

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19785030899

Visit website

Identity Coffee Co.

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19787907125

Visit website

Oliver’s Café By The Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.9

Fitchburg, MA

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19786963420

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 60.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 60.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 68.6

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 60.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 68.6

Lowell, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 60.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 68.6

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 60.1

Littleton, Massachusetts

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 85.8

Methuen, Massachusetts

Hours: 3:30–7:30 pm

+19786553379

Visit website

Seacoast Science Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 120.1

Rye, New Hampshire

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16034368043

Visit website

Launch Family Entertainment Leominster

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 42.9

Leominster, Massachusetts

Hours: 3:30–8 pm

+19782375600

Visit website

The Billiards Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 51.5

Ayer, Massachusetts

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+19787727665

Visit website

Custom House Maritime Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 103

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19784628681

Visit website

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 46.5 and 116.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
46.5 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | MA 2 / Concord Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 113B Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
59.3 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
6
109.1 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Maine Points

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, M...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.33 one way

$38.67 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $21.27 $42.55
premium $4.86 $23.00 $46.00
diesel $5.61 $26.52 $53.03

Estimated Tolls: $1.55

Concord Turnpike (12.3 mi) $0.86
Blue Star Turnpike (9.8 mi) $0.69

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

$19

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36 0 $12.61 $5.76
Efficient EV 30 0 $10.51 $4.80
EV Truck/SUV 48 0 $16.81 $7.69

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Winchester, NH

Night in Winchester on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portsmouth, NH

Night in Portsmouth on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°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

11 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

2h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 77% of this route takes place on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-495, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.9 miles. Because the drive is highway-focused, the experience behind the wheel is consistent rather than technical or winding. Transitions between the Concord Turnpike and MA 140 keep the pace moving, so be prepared for steady cruising. Overall, this is a functional, efficient drive that minimizes stop-and-go traffic in favor of maintaining consistent momentum across the region.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.9 mi on I 495.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.5 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 120.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 46.5 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Winchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.

Lawrence

59.3 mi in | ~1h 27m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.9 miles on I 495. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.55 in tolls one way, starting with Concord 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 Portsmouth, NH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 46.5 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: 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 Portsmouth, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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