This 127.3-mile drive from Lisbon to Salem, New Hampshire, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 2 hours and 39 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Styles Bridges Highway and the Everett Turnpike, with 22% of the journey on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $20 for this journey. This drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Given its relatively short duration, it's perfectly suited for a single day of travel within the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from Lisbon, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route with a "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. While 22% of the trip is on highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 55.4 miles on the Styles Bridges Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before the turns pick up again. This isn't a monotonous highway grind; rather, it's a drive that keeps you engaged with the changing road conditions and frequent navigation points.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Styles Bridges Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 302; NH 10 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
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 127.3 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 302; NH 10 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 98.5 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 302; NH 10 / South Main Street
Turn right onto US 302; NH 10 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
98.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
100.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
108.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
124.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward Pelham, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 2
Toward Pelham, Salem
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 Lisbon, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
100.4 mi in|~2h 3m|via I 93
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Styles Bridges Highway
55.4 mi
59m
Senator Styles Bridges Highway
15.4 mi
17m
Everett Turnpike
10.9 mi
13m
Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
10.8 mi
12m
I 93
7.7 mi
9m
Franconia Notch Parkway
7.6 mi
11m
Sugar Hill Road
6.8 mi
12m
Alan B Shepard Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Styles Bridges Highway
— 55.4 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lisbon, NH and Salem, NH.
1
Start on Depot Street
56 ft·4 sec·Depot Street
2
Turn right onto US 302; NH 10
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto NH 117
4.8 mi·8 min·Sugar Hill Road
4
Continue on NH 117
1.3 mi·3 min·Route 117
5
Continue on NH 117
2.0 mi·3 min·Sugar Hill Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto NH 18; NH 116
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
7
Turn left onto NH 116
337 ft·7 sec·Wallace Hill Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
9
Merge onto I 93
4.1 mi·4 min·Styles Bridges Highway
10
Continue on I 93; US 3
7.6 mi·11 min·Franconia Notch Parkway
11
Continue on I 93
51 mi·54 min·Styles Bridges Highway
12
Continue on I 93
15 mi·17 min·Senator Styles Bridges Highway
13
Continue on I 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Styles Bridges Highway
14
Continue on I 93
8.9 mi·10 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 93
2.0 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on I 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Alan B Shepard Jr Highway
19
Continue on I 93
11 mi·12 min·Alan Bartlett Shepard Junior Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 2Toward Pelham, Salem
21
Keep slight left at fork
321 ft·9 sec
22
Turn left onto Pelham Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pelham Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on Main Street
2.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
24
Turn right
113 ft·8 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 39-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Salem. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $20, this trip is easily completed in a single day. The "Turn-heavy local drive" character means staying alert and referencing your navigation frequently is key. Pay close attention to posted speed limits on the local road segments, as they can vary significantly. The 55.4-mile stretch on Styles Bridges Highway offers a good opportunity for a longer, more relaxed driving segment before the final approach.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.6 miles from Lisbon, NH, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 28 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lisbon, 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 Lisbon, NH
This is one driving day of about 127.3 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Lisbon, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Styles Bridges Highway for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.6 mi from Lisbon, NH
· 1h 21m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.49 one way
$40.99 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.50
$22.55
$45.10
premium
$4.86
$24.38
$48.75
diesel
$5.61
$28.11
$56.21
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Everett Turnpike
(10.9 mi)$0.76
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.2
0
$13.37
$6.11
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.14
$5.09
EV Truck/SUV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lisbon, NH
Night
in Lisbon on Friday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, NH
Night
in Salem on Friday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Plymouth, NH
64 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
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
2h 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 Lisbon, NH to Salem, NH covers 127.3 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Styles Bridges Highway, Senator Styles Bridges Highway, Everett Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.6 miles from Lisbon, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.49 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 127.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 302; NH 10 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 98.5 miles (I 93 / Everett Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles (I 93): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lisbon, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
