Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
98.1 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Photo: Andrea Davis
The drive from Hampton, NH to Keene, NH covers 98.1 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Exeter-Hampton Expressway, US 202, Route 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.1 miles on Exeter-Hampton Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.70 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
49.1 miles from Hampton, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 98.1 miles, with most of the trip on Exeter-Hampton Expressway and US 202. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.1 miles on Exeter-Hampton Expressway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Exeter-Hampton Expressway and US 202. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / Lafayette Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 98.1 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: near the start (US 1 / Lafayette Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 33.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 1 / Lafayette Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward NH 101 West
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 93 North: Concord
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Hampton, NH to Keene, NH, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction Vermont along the way.
White River Junction Vermont
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter-Hampton Expressway | 31.1 mi | 36m |
| US 202 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| Route 9 | 11.9 mi | 16m |
| I 89 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Everett Turnpike | 7 mi | 8m |
| I 93 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Keene Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Franklin Pierce Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, NH and Keene, NH.
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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 1m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Keene, NH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hampton, 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 Hampton, NH
This is one driving day of about 98.1 miles and 2h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.1 mi from Hampton, NH · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Hampton, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Keene, 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 Keene, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.70 one way
$31.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.21 | $34.43 |
| premium | $4.83 | $18.65 | $37.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.79 | $43.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.49
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.30 | $4.71 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Hampton on Saturday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Keene on Saturday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
48°F
Albany, NY
49 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.
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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