Origin
Peterborough, NH
Afternoon in Peterborough on Thursday
Local time
1:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peterborough, NH to Salem, NH
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
45.1 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peterborough, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Salem, NH
Banx Photography
Trip Overview
This 45.1-mile drive from Peterborough, NH to Salem, NH is a manageable 1-hour and 23-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily navigate Gibbons Highway and NH 101A, with a small portion on State Route 101. With a modest fuel cost of around $7, this route offers a straightforward experience through the Northeast region. Its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be engaging with the road rather than cruising on a highway. Plan for a single-day adventure, as no overnight stays are recommended.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 45.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 45.1-mile stretch. Only 11% of the journey involves highway driving, meaning you'll be on more local roads, likely with more frequent turns and lower speed limits. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 9.3 miles on Gibbons Highway. This suggests a route that keeps you connected to the local landscape, with opportunities to see more of the towns you pass through rather than just the highway itself.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gibbons Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 45.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 20 miles (NH 101A): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
19.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward NH 101A: Milford, Nashua
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NH 101A: Milford, Nashua
4
20 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
20 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
NH 101A
Turn right onto NH 101A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
29.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
NH 101A / Canal Street
At end of road, turn left onto NH 101A / Canal Street
Navigation decision point
4
45.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
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 Peterborough, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua along the way.
Nashua
19.6 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbons Highway | 9.3 mi | 14m |
| NH 101A | 8.9 mi | 18m |
| State Route 101 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Wilton Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| Haverhill Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Central Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Indian Rock Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Broadway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Gibbons Highway
— 9.3 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peterborough, NH and Salem, NH.
1
Start on NH 101
69 ft
·
4 sec
·
Peterborough Bypass
2
Continue on NH 101
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Wilton Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on NH 101
9.3 mi
·
14 min
·
Gibbons Highway
4
Continue on NH 101
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Elm Street
5
Turn right onto NH 101
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 101
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward NH 101A: Milford, Nashua
7
Keep slight left at fork
223 ft
·
10 sec
8
Turn right onto NH 101A
8.9 mi
·
18 min
·
NH 101A
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on Lowell Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Lowell Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto NH 101A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Canal Street
11
Continue on NH 101A
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
12
Continue on NH 111
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Ferry Street
13
Continue on NH 111
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Burnham Road
14
Turn left onto NH 111
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Central Street
15
Continue on NH 111
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Haverhill Road
16
Continue on NH 111
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Indian Rock Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on NH 111
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Range Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on Range Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Range Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto NH 28
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broadway
20
Turn left onto NH 97
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
21
Turn right
113 ft
·
8 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.5 mi from Peterborough, NH · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.5 miles from Peterborough, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Salem, NH
The final approach into Salem, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.26 one way
$14.52 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $7.99 | $15.98 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.64 | $17.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.96 | $19.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.74 | $2.16 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.95 | $1.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.89 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Salem, NH
Afternoon in Salem on Thursday
Local time
1:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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 23m 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 Peterborough, NH to Salem, NH covers 45.1 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gibbons Highway, NH 101A, State Route 101. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.5 miles from Peterborough, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.26 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 45.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 20 miles (NH 101A): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Peterborough, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Nashua along the way.
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