The drive from Lempster, NH to Derry, NH covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Franklin Pierce Highway, I 89, I 93 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.3 miles on Franklin Pierce Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.71 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.
Midpoint
33.3 miles from Lempster, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 66.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Lempster, NH to Derry, NH covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 39m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Franklin Pierce Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 41.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.6 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
41.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
6
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Everett Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
49.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 93
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93 toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 93 South: Salem, Boston
8
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93 / Alan B Shepard Highway toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 93 South: Derry, Boston
6
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
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 Lempster, NH to Derry, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
41.3 mi in|~1h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Franklin Pierce Highway
16.3 mi
22m
I 89
7.9 mi
9m
I 93
7.7 mi
9m
Everett Turnpike
7.6 mi
8m
2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
5.4 mi
10m
North Main Street
4.5 mi
8m
Alan B Shepard Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Mountain Road
3.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Franklin Pierce Highway
— 16.3 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lempster, NH and Derry, NH.
1
Start on North Pitkin Road
142 ft·10 sec·North Pitkin Road
2
Turn right onto Lempster Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Lempster Street
3
Continue on 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
1.5 mi·3 min·2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
4
Continue on Mountain Road
3.5 mi·7 min·Mountain Road
5
Continue on Lempster Mountain Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Lempster Mountain Road
6
Turn right onto NH 31
4.5 mi·8 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on NH 31
0.9 mi·1 min·State Road
8
Continue on NH 31
3.9 mi·6 min·2nd New Hampshire Turnpike
9
Turn left onto NH 9
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Main Street
10
Turn straight onto NH 9
16 mi·22 min·Franklin Pierce Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 89
7.9 mi·9 min·I 89
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 93 South Toll: Manchester, Boston
13
Merge onto I 93
5.7 mi·6 min·Everett Turnpike
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 93
7.7 mi·9 min·I 93
Toward I 93 South: Salem, BostonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
4.4 mi·5 min·Alan B Shepard Highway
Toward I 93 South: Derry, BostonUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
18
Continue on I 93
2.1 mi·2 min·Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4Toward NH 102: Derry, Londonderry
20
Keep slight left at fork
131 ft·5 sec
21
Turn left onto NH 102
0.6 mi·1 min·Nashua Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on NH 102
0.6 mi·1 min·West Broadway
23
Turn left
105 ft·9 sec
24
Turn right
78 ft·5 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 33.3 miles from Lempster, NH, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 15 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.3 miles or 55m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Derry, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lempster, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lempster, NH
This is one driving day of about 66.5 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Lempster, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Franklin Pierce Highway for about 16.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.3 mi from Lempster, NH
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 33.3 miles from Lempster, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Derry, NH
The final approach into Derry, NH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Your National Park for the Arts preserves the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). Here stories flow through a landscape of inspiration. Discover the history behind the capt...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20
0
$6.98
$3.19
Efficient EV
16.6
0
$5.82
$2.66
EV Truck/SUV
26.6
0
$9.31
$4.26
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lempster, NH
Afternoon
in Lempster on Friday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Derry, NH
Afternoon
in Derry on Friday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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.
Temperature spread
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 39m 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 Lempster, NH to Derry, NH covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Franklin Pierce Highway, I 89, I 93. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.3 miles from Lempster, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.71 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.6 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lempster, NH to Derry, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
