The drive from Alstead, NH to Bedford, NH covers 71 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Franklin Pierce Highway, Everett Turnpike, I 89 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.3 miles on Franklin Pierce Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.43 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.5 miles from Alstead, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 71 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Alstead, NH to Bedford, NH covers 71 miles and takes about 1h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Franklin Pierce Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 53 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71 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 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (I 293 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
53 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
6
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 293 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293 / Everett Turnpike toward I 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
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 293 South: Manchester, Nashua
6
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
5
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alstead, NH and Bedford, NH, road signs point toward Boston and Nashua.
Boston
53 mi in|~1h 27m
Nashua
61.3 mi in|~1h 37m|via I 293
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Franklin Pierce Highway
16.3 mi
22m
Everett Turnpike
12.5 mi
14m
I 89
7.9 mi
9m
Route 123 North
7.4 mi
14m
Keene Road
5.7 mi
8m
NH Route 123
4.8 mi
12m
Forest Road
4.7 mi
11m
Route 9
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 16.3 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alstead, NH and Bedford, NH.
1
Start on NH 12A; NH 123
0.6 mi·1 min·Mechanic Street
2
Continue on NH 12A; NH 123
4.7 mi·11 min·Forest Road
3
Continue on NH 123
4.8 mi·12 min·NH Route 123
4
At end of road, turn right onto NH 10; NH 123
273 ft·6 sec·Dartmouth College Road
5
Continue on NH 10; NH 123
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 10
6
Turn left onto NH 123
0.2 mi·18 sec·Telephone Road
7
Turn slight left onto NH 123
0.3 mi·28 sec·Forest Road East
8
Continue on NH 123
7.4 mi·14 min·Route 123 North
9
At end of road, turn left onto NH 9
2.3 mi·3 min·Route 9
10
Continue on NH 9
5.7 mi·8 min·Keene Road
11
Continue on NH 9; NH 31
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
12
Turn straight onto NH 9
16 mi·22 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 89
7.9 mi·9 min·I 89
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
15
Merge onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·Everett Turnpike
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 293
4.9 mi·5 min·Everett Turnpike
Toward I 293 South: Manchester, NashuaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
401 ft·9 sec
Exit 6Toward Amoskeag Street, Goffstown Road
19
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·11 sec
20
Turn left onto Eddy Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Eddy Road
21
Continue on McGregor Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·McGregor Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
23
Turn right onto Boynton Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Boynton Street
24
Continue on NH 101
0.4 mi·43 sec·NH 101
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on NH 101
0.7 mi·1 min·NH 101
26
Turn right onto Meetinghouse Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Meetinghouse Road
27
Turn right onto Bedford Center Road
20 ft·0 sec·Bedford Center Road
28
Arrive at destination
Bedford Center Road
Trip Plan
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 35.5 miles from Alstead, NH, or about 1h 4m 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.5 miles or 1h 4m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alstead, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alstead, NH
This is one driving day of about 71 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Alstead, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.5 mi from Alstead, NH
· 1h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.3
0
$7.46
$3.41
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.21
$2.84
EV Truck/SUV
28.4
0
$9.94
$4.54
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 16, 2026
Origin
Alstead, NH
Evening
in Alstead on Thursday
Local time
6:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bedford, NH
Evening
in Bedford on Thursday
Local time
6:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°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
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 53m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alstead, NH to Bedford, NH covers 71 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Franklin Pierce Highway, Everett Turnpike, I 89. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.5 miles from Alstead, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.3 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (I 293 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Alstead, NH and Bedford, NH, road signs point toward Boston and Nashua.
