Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
45m
Distance
26.5 mi
43 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
None
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Exeter, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
This 26.5-mile drive from Exeter, NH, to Salem, NH, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 45 minutes. As both the origin and destination are within the Northeast region and the same state, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route is perfect for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The main roads you'll navigate include I-495, Amesbury Road, and Market Street, offering a mixed driving experience. This short distance makes it ideal for a quick errand or a brief scenic excursion within New Hampshire.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 26.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: none.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with approximately 45% of the journey on highways. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be about 10 miles on I-495, providing a chance for steady cruising. As you transition off the interstate, you'll encounter local roads like Amesbury Road and Market Street, which will likely involve more varied traffic and potentially lower speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more community-focused driving as you approach your destination.
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 0.1 miles in near NH 108; NH 111 / Front Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 26.5 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 0.1 miles (NH 108; NH 111 / Front Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles (MA 150 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.8 miles (MA 150 / School Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto NH 108; NH 111 / Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto MA 150 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto MA 150 / School Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward MA 97, MA 110, MA 113: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 97: Haverhill, Salem New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Exeter, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Salem New Hampshire along the way.
Salem New Hampshire
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 10 mi | 11m |
| Amesbury Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| Market Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| State Route 97 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Court Street | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Broadway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Exeter Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Exeter, NH and Salem, NH.
Start on NH 27
Turn right onto NH 108; NH 111
Turn left onto NH 108
Continue on NH 108
Turn slight left onto NH 150
Keep slight right at fork onto NH 150
Continue on NH 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Enter roundabout onto MA 150
Continue on MA 150
Continue on Main Street
Turn right onto MA 110
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 110
Turn left onto MA 150
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto MA 97
Continue on MA 97
Continue on MA 97
Continue on NH 97
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.3 mi from Exeter, NH · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 13.3 miles from Exeter, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Salem, 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 Salem, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.27 one way
$8.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $4.69 | $9.39 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.07 | $10.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.85 | $11.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.78 | $1.27 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.32 | $1.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.70 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Exeter on Thursday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Salem on Thursday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
41°F
Brunswick, NY
13 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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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