The drive from Richmond, NH to Salem, NH covers 83 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 495, Concord Turnpike, MA 140 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.1 miles on I 495.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.36 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
41.5 miles from Richmond, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 83 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 83 miles, with most of the trip on I 495 and Concord Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.1 miles on I 495.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 495 is the longest continuous segment at about 19.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 495 and Concord Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.3 miles in near MA 2 / Concord Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83 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 40.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
6
40.3 mi into trip|~58m in|MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2 / Concord Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Lowell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 113B
Toward I 495 North: Lowell
6
53.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
7
72.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 93 North: Salem New Hampshire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 97B
Toward I 93 North: Salem New Hampshire
7
80 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward 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 Richmond, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence along the way.
Lawrence
53.1 mi in|~1h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 495
19.1 mi
22m
Concord Turnpike
12.3 mi
16m
MA 140
11.7 mi
17m
I 93
7.1 mi
8m
Green Street
6.2 mi
7m
Fitzwilliam Road
3.5 mi
6m
Gardner Road
3.4 mi
3m
State Route 119
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 495
— 19.1 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, NH and Salem, NH.
1
Start on NH 32
81 ft·8 sec·Old Homestead Highway
2
Turn left onto NH 119
3.5 mi·6 min·Fitzwilliam Road
3
Continue on NH 119
3.0 mi·5 min·State Route 119
4
Turn slight left onto Columbia Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Columbia Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto NH 119
1.0 mi·2 min·NH Route 119 West
6
Turn right onto NH 119
0.3 mi·43 sec·NH Route 119 West
7
Turn slight right onto NH 12
2.6 mi·2 min·NH Route 12 South
8
Continue on NH 12
2.9 mi·3 min·State Route 12
9
Continue on MA 12
3.0 mi·3 min·School Street
10
Turn left onto US 202; MA 12
0.2 mi·21 sec·Front Street
11
Turn slight left onto Spring Street
2.3 mi·2 min·Spring Street
12
Continue on MA 12
3.4 mi·3 min·Gardner Road
13
Continue on MA 140
6.2 mi·7 min·Green Street
14
Take the exit onto MA 140
12 mi·17 min·MA 140
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MA 2
12 mi·16 min·Concord Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 113BToward I 495 North: LowellUse the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 North: Lowell, Lawrence
18
Merge onto I 495
19 mi·22 min·I 495
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 97BToward I 93 North: Salem New HampshireUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·49 sec·this road
Exit 97BToward I 93 North: Salem New Hampshire
21
Merge onto I 93
7.0 mi·8 min·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 93
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 93
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Salem
25
Continue on NH 38
0.4 mi·40 sec·Rockingham Park Boulevard
26
Continue on Veterans Memorial Parkway
1.0 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
27
Turn left onto Lawrence Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Lawrence Road
28
Turn straight onto NH 97
487 ft·13 sec·Main Street
29
Turn right
113 ft·8 sec
30
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 41.5 miles from Richmond, NH, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 59m 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 36m
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 Richmond, NH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond, NH
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Richmond, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 495 for about 19.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.5 mi from Richmond, NH
· 59m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
Efficient EV
20.8
0
$7.26
$3.32
EV Truck/SUV
33.2
0
$11.62
$5.31
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Richmond, NH
Late night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Salem, NH
Late night
in Salem on Saturday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
38°F
Gardner, MA
42 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
24 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 55m 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 Richmond, NH to Salem, NH covers 83 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 495, Concord Turnpike, MA 140. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.5 miles from Richmond, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.36 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 83 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 40.3 miles (MA 2 / Concord Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Richmond, NH to Salem, NH, road signs begin pointing toward Lawrence 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.
