Drive Time
46m
Distance
33.7 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
The drive from Portsmouth, NH to Atkinson, NH covers 33.7 miles and takes about 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 495, I 95, Blue Star Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.2 miles on I 495. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.39 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
16.9 miles from Portsmouth, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
This is a 46m highway drive covering 33.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 495 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 11.2 miles on I 495.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Fleet Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 33.7 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: at 0.1 miles (Fleet Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Fleet Street
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Hampton, Boston
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Blue Star Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward MA 125 North: Plaistow New Hampshire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
On the drive from Portsmouth, NH to Atkinson, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Haverhill along the way.
Haverhill
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 495 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| I 95 | 9 mi | 11m |
| Blue Star Turnpike | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| Market Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Atkinson Depot Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Leroy Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hanover Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portsmouth, NH and Atkinson, NH.
Start on US 1
Turn right onto Fleet Street
Turn right onto Hanover Street
At end of road, turn left onto Market Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto MA 125
Continue on NH 121
Continue on NH 121
Turn right onto Leroy Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 33.7 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.9 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atkinson, NH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth, NH
This is one driving day of about 33.7 miles and 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.9 mi from Portsmouth, NH · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 33.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.9 miles from Portsmouth, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Atkinson, 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 Atkinson, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.39 one way
$10.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $5.91 | $11.83 |
| premium | $4.83 | $6.41 | $12.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.72 | $2.16 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Portsmouth on Saturday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Atkinson on Saturday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Brunswick, NY
17 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Portsmouth, NH or browse trips ending in Atkinson, NH.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NH road trips.
Explore maps for Portsmouth, NH or Atkinson, NH on MapSof.net.
