Trip from Hampton, NH to Keene, NH

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

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 2m ★

6 AM

2h 11m

8 AM

2h 30m

10 AM

2h 18m

12 PM

2h 16m

3 PM

2h 19m

5 PM

2h 29m

8 PM

2h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Hampton, NH

Mohan Nannapaneni

Keene, NH

Andrea Davis

Trip Overview

Crossing New Hampshire from the coast to the southwest, this 98.1-mile journey connects Hampton to Keene in about 2 hours and 11 minutes. It is a straightforward trip that serves perfectly as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable regional transit option. By prioritizing efficiency, the route moves you across the state using a combination of the Exeter-Hampton Expressway, US 202, and Route 9. Because both locations sit within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the shoreline toward the inland hills.

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 .

Drive Character

With 83% of the journey spent on highways, this drive is designed for consistent momentum rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a steady pace early on, tackling your longest uninterrupted stretch of 31.1 miles along the Exeter-Hampton Expressway. While the route is highway-focused, the character shifts as you move off the expressway and transition onto the US 202 and Route 9 corridors. Expect a transition from high-speed, controlled-access lanes to more varied roadway conditions as you head west. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that favors getting you to your destination reliably over technical or challenging terrain.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Exeter-Hampton Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,380 ft 40 ft

Total Climb

1,465 ft

Total Descent

1,022 ft

Highest Point

1,380 ft

~85.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,340 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 1 / Lafayette Road

Turn left onto US 1 / Lafayette Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward NH 101 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward NH 101 West

33.1 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward I 93 North: Concord

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 93 North: Concord

47.4 mi into trip | ~58m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junctio...

55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

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

Exit 5 Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene

Towns Along This Route

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

46.9 mi in | ~57m

Main Roads

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

Longest stretch: Exeter-Hampton Expressway — 31.1 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, NH and Keene, NH.

Start on this road

159 ft · 17 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 1

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Lafayette Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto NH 27

1.3 mi · 3 min · Exeter Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward NH 101 West Use the right lane.

Merge onto NH 101

31 mi · 36 min · Exeter-Hampton Expressway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 93 North: Concord Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 93

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 93

Keep slight left at fork onto I 93

7.0 mi · 8 min · Everett Turnpike

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 89 North: Lebanon, White River Junction Vermont Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 89

8.1 mi · 9 min · I 89

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 5 Toward US 202 West, NH 9 West: Henniker, Keene

Continue on US 202; NH 9

15 mi · 21 min · US 202; NH 9

Use the none lane.

Continue on NH 9

1.9 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on NH 9; NH 31

5.7 mi · 8 min · Keene Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on NH 9

6.7 mi · 9 min · Route 9

Use the none lane.

Continue on NH 9

3.3 mi · 4 min · Franklin Pierce Highway

Continue on NH 9

1.8 mi · 2 min · Route 9

Continue on NH 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · NH Route 9

Continue on NH 9

3.4 mi · 4 min · Route 9

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Washington Street

1.7 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Central Square

218 ft · 7 sec · Central Square

Continue on Central Square

248 ft · 8 sec · Central Square

Turn left onto Roxbury Street

126 ft · 2 sec · Roxbury Street

Arrive at destination

Roxbury Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You should aim to fill your tank before heading out to keep your costs near the estimated $16 budget, as there are no mandated stops required on this 98.1-mile path. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider timing your transit to avoid peak commute hours, especially when navigating the transition between the expressway and the regional highways. Because the route is direct, use the absence of planned stops to your advantage by taking a quick break whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from the Exeter-Hampton Expressway to the US 202 and Route 9 segments to ensure a smooth transition.

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 49.1 miles from Hampton, NH, or about 1h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.1 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 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.

Before You Leave

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hampton, NH.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Exeter-Hampton Expressway for about 31.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Albany, NY

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Hampton, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Keene, NH

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.70 one way

$31.41 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

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

Everett Turnpike (7 mi) $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

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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29.4	$10.30	$4.71
Efficient EV	24.5	$8.58	$3.92
EV Truck/SUV	39.2	$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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Hampton, NH

Late night in Hampton on Monday

Local time

3:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

Unavailable

Destination

Keene, NH

Late night in Keene on Monday

Local time

3:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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.

Road read

2h 11m 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 Hampton, NH to Keene, NH covers 98.1 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Exeter-Hampton Expressway, US 202, Route 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 49.1 miles from Hampton, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.70 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.

On the drive from Hampton, NH to Keene, NH, road signs begin pointing toward White River Junction Vermont along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 40 ft to 1,380 ft elevation with about 1,465 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Hampton, NH to Keene, NH

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Keene, NH

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hampton, NH

Keene, NH

Same local time

2h 11m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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