Drive Time
26m
Distance
17.1 mi
27 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
The drive from Exeter, NH to Portsmouth, NH covers 17.1 miles and takes about 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Blue Star Turnpike, NH 101, Portsmouth Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.9 miles on Blue Star Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.74 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.5 miles from Exeter, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
This is a 26m highway drive covering 17.1 miles, with most of the trip on Blue Star Turnpike and NH 101. The longest continuous stretch is about 8.9 miles on Blue Star Turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Blue Star Turnpike and NH 101. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 17.1 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 0.3 miles (NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto NH 108 / Portsmouth Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95: Portsmouth, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Portsmouth, Maine, Pease International Tradeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Exeter, NH and Portsmouth, NH, road signs point toward Boston, Maine, Pease International Tradeport, New Hampshire and Maine Points.
Boston
Maine
Pease International Tradeport
New Hampshire
Maine Points
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Turnpike | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| NH 101 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Portsmouth Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Market Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Water Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| High Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Congress Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Exeter, NH and Portsmouth, NH.
Start on NH 27
Continue on NH 108; NH 111; NH 27
Turn left onto NH 108
Take the ramp
Merge onto NH 101
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn right onto Market Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 1
Arrive at destination
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.
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 17.1 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.5 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth, NH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Exeter, 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 Exeter, NH
This is one driving day of about 17.1 miles and 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.5 mi from Exeter, NH · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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.
A short stop after about 17.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.5 miles from Exeter, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.74 one way
$5.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| premium | $4.83 | $3.25 | $6.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.80 | $7.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
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
$3
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Exeter on Saturday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Brunswick, NY
9 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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