Origin
Rochester, NH
Night in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rochester, NH to Barnstead, NH
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
38m
Distance
20 mi
32 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rochester, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Barnstead, NH
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick excursion through New Hampshire, the 20-mile trek from Rochester to Barnstead is a straightforward journey. Expect to spend about 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $3, it is an incredibly affordable way to navigate between these two Northeast towns. Since there are no required stops along the way, you can easily complete the entire distance in one sitting. This drive is ideal for those who prefer navigating local roads rather than busy interstates. Planning is simple, as the entire route fits comfortably into a morning or afternoon schedule.
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
10 miles from Rochester, NH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way from Rochester to Barnstead. You will spend your time navigating Parker Mountain Road, South Barnstead Road, and Strafford Road, which offer a completely different experience from a monotonous interstate cruise. In fact, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you stay on local thoroughfares for the duration of the 20-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 5.6-mile segment on Parker Mountain Road. Because the road demands your full attention with its frequent turns, it offers an engaging, hands-on driving experience that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Parker Mountain Road is the longest continuous segment at about 5.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
944 ft
283 ft
Total Climb
791 ft
Total Descent
561 ft
Highest Point
944 ft
~11.4 mi in
Elevation Range
661 ft
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 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near NH 202A / Wakefield Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.1 miles (NH 202A / Wakefield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (NH 202A): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.3 miles (NH 202A / North Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NH 202A / Wakefield Street
At end of road, turn right onto NH 202A / Wakefield Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NH 202A
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 202A
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
NH 202A / North Main Street
Turn right onto NH 202A / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Walnut Street
Enter roundabout onto Walnut Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
NH 202A / Strafford Road
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 202A / Strafford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Parker Mountain Road | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| South Barnstead Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Strafford Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Walnut Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Mile Hill Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Parade Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Crown Point Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Parker Mountain Road
— 5.6 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester, NH and Barnstead, NH.
1
Start on this road
51 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Hanson Street
247 ft
·
15 sec
·
Hanson Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto NH 202A
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Wakefield Street
4
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 202A
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NH 202A
5
Turn right onto NH 202A
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Main Street
6
Enter roundabout onto Walnut Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walnut Street
7
Continue on Walnut Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Walnut Street
8
Continue on NH 202A
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Crown Point Road
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NH 202A
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Strafford Road
10
Continue on NH 202A
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Mile Hill Road
11
Continue on NH 202A
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Strafford Road
12
Continue on NH 126; NH 202A
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Parker Mountain Road
13
Continue on NH 126
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Barnstead Road
14
Turn left onto Parade Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Parade Road
15
Arrive at destination
Parade Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to depart whenever it best suits your plans. Since the fuel cost is estimated at only $3, you do not need to worry about complex gas logistics or long-distance refueling stops. Keep in mind that the route consists entirely of local roads, so be prepared for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to highway travel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, stay alert and pace yourself through the curves on Parker Mountain Road. Taking advantage of this short distance means you can easily complete the trip without needing to factor in any rest stops, giving you more time at your final 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.
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 10 miles from Rochester, NH, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.6 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 20 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnstead, NH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rochester, 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 Rochester, NH
This is one driving day of about 20 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rochester, NH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Parker Mountain Road for about 5.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10 mi from Rochester, NH · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10 miles from Rochester, NH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Barnstead, NH
The final approach into Barnstead, 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 Barnstead, NH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.22 one way
$6.44 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $3.54 | $7.09 |
| premium | $4.86 | $3.83 | $7.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.42 | $8.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Barnstead, NH
Night in Barnstead on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Light Rain
S 10 mph
78% chance
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rochester, NH to Barnstead, NH covers 20 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Parker Mountain Road, South Barnstead Road, Strafford Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10 miles from Rochester, NH. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.22 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 20 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.1 miles (NH 202A / Wakefield Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (NH 202A): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.3 miles (NH 202A / North Main Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Rochester, NH to Barnstead, NH does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 283 ft to 944 ft elevation with about 791 ft of total climbing.
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