Origin
Derry, NH
Afternoon in Derry on Saturday
Local time
12:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derry, NH to Franconia, NH
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
106.1 mi
171 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derry, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Franconia, NH
Mohan Nannapaneni
Trip Overview
Derry, NH to Franconia, NH is 106.1 miles and takes about 2h 4m via Styles Bridges Highway, Everett Turnpike, and Franconia Notch Parkway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Hampshire, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a route with numerous turns, suggesting a more engaged driving experience than a straight shot on an interstate. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Derry, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 106.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating you'll be navigating more varied road conditions than a typical highway journey. With only 24% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 69.9 miles on Styles Bridges Highway, offering a substantial segment of consistent driving before transitions. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and road type as you progress from Derry to Franconia.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Styles Bridges Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 69.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 4m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (NH 102 / West Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NH 102 / West Broadway
Turn right onto NH 102 / West Broadway
Navigation decision point
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 93 North: Manchester, Concord
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 93 North: Manchester, Concord
6
10.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 93
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
5
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward NH 18, NH 116, NH 117, NH 142: Franconia, Sugar Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NH 18, NH 116, NH 117, NH 142: Franconia...
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 Derry, NH to Franconia, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Plymouth along the way.
Plymouth
10.2 mi in
|
~14m
|
via I 93
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Styles Bridges Highway | 69.9 mi | 1h 16m |
| Everett Turnpike | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| Franconia Notch Parkway | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| I 93 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Alan B Shepard Highway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Alan B Shepard Jr Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Sen Styles Bridges Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 69.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derry, NH and Franconia, NH.
1
Start on this road
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
105 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn right onto NH 102
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
4
Continue on NH 102
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Nashua Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 93 North: Manchester, Concord
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 93
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
7
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
8
Continue on I 93
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Alan B Shepard Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 93
Toward I 93 North: Concord, Plymouth
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Everett Turnpike
11
Continue on I 93
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Styles Bridges Highway
12
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Sen Styles Bridges Highway
13
Continue on I 93
49 mi
·
52 min
·
Styles Bridges Highway
14
Continue on I 93
7.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Franconia Notch Parkway
15
Continue on I 93
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Styles Bridges Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward NH 18, NH 116, NH 117, NH 142: Franconia, Sugar Hill
17
Turn left onto NH 116
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Wallace Hill Road
18
Arrive at destination
NH 116
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour drive time, leaving Derry in the morning allows ample time to reach Franconia and explore without feeling rushed. With only one recommended day, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from major turnpikes; planning a stop around the longest stretch on Styles Bridges Highway, 69.9 miles, could be a good strategy. The 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means paying attention to navigation is key, so ensure your GPS is set up before you depart.
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 53.1 miles from Derry, NH, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.9 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franconia, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Derry, 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 Derry, NH
This is one driving day of about 106.1 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Derry, 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 69.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.1 mi from Derry, NH · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.1 miles from Derry, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Styles Bridges Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.9 miles.
Arriving in Franconia, NH
The final approach into Franconia, NH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Franconia, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.08 one way
$34.16 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $18.79 | $37.59 |
| premium | $4.86 | $20.32 | $40.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.43 | $46.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.71
Everett Turnpike
(10.2 mi)
$0.71
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.14 | $5.09 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.85 | $6.79 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Franconia, NH
Afternoon in Franconia on Saturday
Local time
12:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Bristol, NH
53 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
14 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 4m 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 Derry, NH to Franconia, NH covers 106.1 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Styles Bridges Highway, Everett Turnpike, Franconia Notch Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.1 miles from Derry, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.08 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 is a straightforward 2h 4m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (NH 102 / West Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Derry, NH to Franconia, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Plymouth along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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