The drive from Newbury, NH to Dover, NH covers 74.3 miles and takes about 1h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 89, Dover Road, Route 103 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.2 miles on I 89.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.96 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
37.2 miles from Newbury, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 54m highway drive covering 74.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 89 and Dover Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 20.2 miles on I 89.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 89 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 89 and Dover Road. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near I 89.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 13 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13 mi into trip|~22m in|I 89
Merge onto I 89
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
33.2 mi into trip|~46m in|NH 3A / Route 3-A
Turn left onto NH 3A / Route 3-A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
36.3 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15E
Toward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loud...
5
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 4 / Concord Road
Enter roundabout onto US 4 / Concord Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
74.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue
Turn sharp right onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108 / Central Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newbury, NH and Dover, NH, road signs point toward Portsmouth and Madbury.
Portsmouth
36.3 mi in|~51m
Madbury
67 mi in|~1h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 89
20.2 mi
24m
Dover Road
9.2 mi
15m
Route 103
8.1 mi
14m
First New Hampshire Turnpike
7.8 mi
12m
Old Turnpike Road
5.1 mi
7m
State Route 103
4.5 mi
7m
I 393
4.4 mi
6m
Knox Marsh Road
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 89
— 20.2 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newbury, NH and Dover, NH.
1
Start on NH 103A
143 ft·6 sec·State Route 103A
2
At end of road, turn left onto NH 103
8.1 mi·14 min·Route 103
3
Continue on NH 103
4.5 mi·7 min·State Route 103
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
5
Merge onto I 89
20 mi·24 min·I 89
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto NH 3A
0.3 mi·41 sec·Route 3-A
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Continue on NH 3A
420 ft·10 sec·South Main Street
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 93 North
9
Merge onto I 93
1.7 mi·2 min·Everett Turnpike
10
Continue on I 93
0.5 mi·42 sec·Styles Bridges Highway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 15EToward I 393 East, US 4 East, US 202 East: Loudon, Portsmouth
12
Merge onto I 393; US 4; US 202
4.4 mi·6 min·I 393; US 4; US 202
13
Continue on NH 9; US 4; US 202
0.2 mi·17 sec·Loudon Road
14
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.9 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 4; US 202; NH 9
251 ft·6 sec·Dover Road
16
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9
4.3 mi·7 min·Dover Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 4; US 202; NH 9; NH 107
7.8 mi·12 min·First New Hampshire Turnpike
18
Continue on US 4
5.1 mi·7 min·Old Turnpike Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 4
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Concord Turnpike
20
Continue on US 4
0.5 mi·55 sec·Concord Road
21
Enter roundabout onto US 4
164 ft·4 sec·Concord Road
22
Continue on US 4
1.3 mi·2 min·Concord Road
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward NH 155: Lee, Madbury
24
Turn left onto NH 155
1.2 mi·2 min·Turtle Pond Road
25
Continue on NH 155
1.3 mi·2 min·Lee Road
26
Continue on NH 155
347 ft·7 sec·Manchester Road
27
Continue on NH 155
3.2 mi·5 min·Knox Marsh Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto NH 9
14 ft·0 sec·Silver Street
29
Continue on NH 9
0.6 mi·1 min·Silver Street
30
Turn left onto Locust Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Locust Street
31
Turn straight onto Chestnut Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Third Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Third Street
33
Turn sharp right onto NH 4; NH 9; NH 108
212 ft·6 sec·Central Avenue
34
Turn left
114 ft·5 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
35
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 37.2 miles from Newbury, NH, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 53m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dover, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newbury, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newbury, NH
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Newbury, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 89 for about 20.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.2 mi from Newbury, NH
· 53m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.57
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
EV Truck/SUV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Newbury, NH
Afternoon
in Newbury on Friday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dover, NH
Afternoon
in Dover on Friday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
15 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 54m 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 Newbury, NH to Dover, NH covers 74.3 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 89, Dover Road, Route 103. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.2 miles from Newbury, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.96 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 74.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 13 miles (I 89): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (NH 3A / Route 3-A): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Newbury, NH and Dover, NH, road signs point toward Portsmouth and Madbury.
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.
